This is why being an LPN is just as good....

Published

So, I ran into an old friend that was in my Medical assisting program with me 3 years ago. She went on to get her LPN. She works in LTC. Now, she does work alot of overtime but, she tells me her last 2 week paycheck was....$3500.00. I was like holy crap!!! I asked her if she plans on getting her RN and she said no way, whats the point? I know not everywhere in the U.S pays LPN that great but Im satisfied. Looks like Im in the Oct. program and Im just ready to get this thing done!!!!

Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.
Ummm you should really look way past the money aspect when your thinking about a career, as happyness is much more important. No one wants to go to wrok to be miserable even if the money is wonderful. In other words do some research and make sure you will also be happy as a nurse.

Sweetooth

Yes, but on the other hand...being happy at a job is one aspect. With a morgage, family, hobbies.... I need a job that pays the bills and has a great retirment. Its also a bonus that I love my job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg..

I hear you Big B, that $ thing is a big one. I too have a mortgage and a family. I have been in a situation with no $ and even though I have had jobs I hated, I hated being broke more than anything.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I really hate hearing that some LPNs don't have many job opportunities. It truly seems to be the location. I have not seen this too much in New York, but I guess that it depends on exactly what a person is interested in doing. Happiness is an extremely important aspect of a career, because we work to LIVE, not live to WORK, however, if I can be happy AND make more money, that would be much more appreciated. On my regular job, I only saw about a $300 difference between my salary as a patient care associate to lpn. But, I don't live out of my means, and my side jobs have been used to pay back bills, not to overspend. I am looking for the best medium between being content and doing the things that I want to do. At the moment, I see home care as the best option. I have been paid quite well and plan to look at the options in that direction. Also, with home care, I see that I can be the best nurse that I was trained to be because I am really caring for the full person and family.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow, alot of different responses. Let me clear things up a little. I AM going into an LPN program. I am currently an MA but I am a stay at home mom now. I can't make enough as an MA to even go to work(daycare and such).

As far as the gal I mentioned, yes, she works alot of overtime. she works nights...12 hr shifts, she makes $26 an hour and says the work really isnt all that much. She goes in for 5 hours if they call her in for overtime. But, she hardly sees her kids and she loves making money. In my opinion, I care less about the big paycheck but like the hourly amount. I only plan on working 3 days a week because I am so involved in my kids lives I think for me that'll work best. But, for some who may not have kids or really want to make alot of money and like sleeping during the day...well there you go! But, it's not for me!!! I was just trying to make a point about people always saying being an RN is where the money is at. Yes, they can make more per hour and they also take on alot more responsibility. I have always thought I'd be an RN and maybe I will but, maybe being an LPN will be good enugh for me?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home.
Wow, alot of different responses. Let me clear things up a little. I AM going into an LPN program. I am currently an MA but I am a stay at home mom now. I can't make enough as an MA to even go to work(daycare and such).

As far as the gal I mentioned, yes, she works alot of overtime. she works nights...12 hr shifts, she makes $26 an hour and says the work really isnt all that much. She goes in for 5 hours if they call her in for overtime. But, she hardly sees her kids and she loves making money. In my opinion, I care less about the big paycheck but like the hourly amount. I only plan on working 3 days a week because I am so involved in my kids lives I think for me that'll work best. But, for some who may not have kids or really want to make alot of money and like sleeping during the day...well there you go! But, it's not for me!!! I was just trying to make a point about people always saying being an RN is where the money is at. Yes, they can make more per hour and they also take on alot more responsibility. I have always thought I'd be an RN and maybe I will but, maybe being an LPN will be good enugh for me?

Thats why you should become an LPN. I personally work 20 hours a week,every weekend,it frees me up to be with my family all week.I still make good money.I even get compensated for working every weekend . And my life is well balanced.I know RNs working lots of overtime and dont have a lot of family time.It all depends on how your priorities are set. I also dont spend a ton of money,live beneath my means,and managed to buy a second house which we use as a rental(which we just paid off) I own two houses free and clear of mortgage at this time) A big accomplishment!And Im ONLY an LPN.I say go for it !!! You will not be sorry!!Good luck!!Keep us posted

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Thats why you should become an LPN. I personally work 20 hours a week,every weekend,it frees me up to be with my family all week.I still make good money.I even get compensated for working every weekend . And my life is well balanced.I know RNs working lots of overtime and dont have a lot of family time.It all depends on how your priorities are set. I also dont spend a ton of money,live beneath my means,and managed to buy a second house which we use as a rental(which we just paid off) I own two houses free and clear of mortgage at this time) A big accomplishment!And Im ONLY an LPN.I say go for it !!! You will not be sorry!!Good luck!!Keep us posted

I am estatic to hear that you were able to accomplish this with an LPN license! Thanks for sharing this!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thats why you should become an LPN. I personally work 20 hours a week,every weekend,it frees me up to be with my family all week.I still make good money.I even get compensated for working every weekend . And my life is well balanced.I know RNs working lots of overtime and dont have a lot of family time.It all depends on how your priorities are set. I also dont spend a ton of money,live beneath my means,and managed to buy a second house which we use as a rental(which we just paid off) I own two houses free and clear of mortgage at this time) A big accomplishment!And Im ONLY an LPN.I say go for it !!! You will not be sorry!!Good luck!!Keep us posted

Thanks for your support! Im excited, I may get into the Aug. program. If not then it's Nov. Either way Im looking forward to it!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
So, I ran into an old friend that was in my Medical assisting program with me 3 years ago. She went on to get her LPN. She works in LTC. Now, she does work alot of overtime but, she tells me her last 2 week paycheck was....$3500.00. I was like holy crap!!! I asked her if she plans on getting her RN and she said no way, whats the point? I know not everywhere in the U.S pays LPN that great but Im satisfied. Looks like Im in the Oct. program and Im just ready to get this thing done!!!!
Your friend would have had to work 14 double shifts in a row to earn that kind of money. Many LPNs do this exhausting pile of overtime, but it is usually to make ends meet and fulfill obligations to their families.

$3500 for a 2-week paycheck adds up to $7000 monthly, which tabulates to about $84,000 per year. Very few LPNs can expect to earn that kind of money, unless they literally kill themselves with the 50% overtime rate. An LPN can certainly earn the $84,000, but (s)he will spend all waking hours at work.

I'm am LVN who is pursuing the RN license because I'd like a wider range of opportunities, a wider scope of practice, and some job security. Most of all, I want the RN title because it will enable me to earn more money without having to work a ridiculous amount of overtime shifts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Your friend would have had to work 14 double shifts in a row to earn that kind of money. Many LPNs do this exhausting pile of overtime, but it is usually to make ends meet and fulfill obligations to their families.

$3500 for a 2-week paycheck adds up to $7000 monthly, which tabulates to about $84,000 per year. Very few LPNs can expect to earn that kind of money, unless they literally kill themselves with the 50% overtime rate. An LPN can certainly earn the $84,000, but (s)he will spend all waking hours at work.

I'm am LVN who is pursuing the RN license because I'd like a wider range of opportunities, a wider scope of practice, and some job security. Most of all, I want the RN title because it will enable me to earn more money without having to work a ridiculous amount of overtime shifts.

yeah that! what's the point of having all that money when you don't even have the time to spend it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Now, she does work alot of overtime but, she tells me her last 2 week paycheck was....$3500.00. I was like holy crap!!! I asked her if she plans on getting her RN and she said no way, whats the point? I know not everywhere in the U.S pays LPN that great but Im satisfied. Looks like Im in the Oct. program and Im just ready to get this thing done!!!!

Yes. LOTS of overtime.

2 things you might want to do.

1. Figure out how many less hours an RN would have to work to make the same amount.

2. Calculate how much money an RN would make working the same number of hours.

Getting blinded by dollarsigns is easy, but what happens when she gets tired, bone tired, and doesn't want to work 60-80 hours a week?

What if they decide to budget for a few extra FTE & eliminate the OT?

$84,000 a year was mentioned. An RN making $29 hour on days would need to work only 54 hours a week for that. Much less with evening & weekend differential.

An experienced RN in the right situation could make that in 40-44hours per week.

And raises are based on % of base pay. Overtime the RN-LPN gap would widen even more

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.
Your friend would have had to work 14 double shifts in a row to earn that kind of money. Many LPNs do this exhausting pile of overtime, but it is usually to make ends meet and fulfill obligations to their families.

$3500 for a 2-week paycheck adds up to $7000 monthly, which tabulates to about $84,000 per year. Very few LPNs can expect to earn that kind of money, unless they literally kill themselves with the 50% overtime rate. An LPN can certainly earn the $84,000, but (s)he will spend all waking hours at work.

I'm am LVN who is pursuing the RN license because I'd like a wider range of opportunities, a wider scope of practice, and some job security. Most of all, I want the RN title because it will enable me to earn more money without having to work a ridiculous amount of overtime shifts.

i work two OT shifts a week and will bring in $85,000 this year as a fairly new LVN. I don't consider this a lot of OT considering I am off for 3 days a week. I don't even get double pay, just time and a half for my OT. The nursing homes around here pay $23.00 an hour straight pay, time and a half for the first 4 hours , then double pay ($46.00+/hr) the last four hours of the double shift. An lvn would not need to spend all waking hours at work to reach $84,000 a year. A couple doubles a week is all it takes. Remember with the RN title comes a load of stress and responsibility, getting yelled at by dr's, and the liability of the license itself. Take psych for instance...when a patient commits suicide..its the RN that gets blamed from what I have seen. They are the ones fired and investigated while the other staff, dr's included are not. The RN's are in control on the floor, especially true on weekends and evening and night shifts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.
Yes. LOTS of overtime.

2 things you might want to do.

1. Figure out how many less hours an RN would have to work to make the same amount.

2. Calculate how much money an RN would make working the same number of hours.

Getting blinded by dollarsigns is easy, but what happens when she gets tired, bone tired, and doesn't want to work 60-80 hours a week?

What if they decide to budget for a few extra FTE & eliminate the OT?

$84,000 a year was mentioned. An RN making $29 hour on days would need to work only 54 hours a week for that. Much less with evening & weekend differential.

An experienced RN in the right situation could make that in 40-44hours per week.

And raises are based on % of base pay. Overtime the RN-LPN gap would widen even more

Some places the gap isn't very wide. The nursing home I use to work at paid the LVN's $23.00/ hr and the RN's just $28.00/ hr.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion