What is ur average 2 week take home pay?

LADYFLOWER · Jul 6, 2006

I taught LPNs in a one-year private school program. It has nothing to do with the amount of practical experience. The graduates earn the right to take the NCLEX-PN for licensure, not a vocational certificate. Sheesh.
And as for less responsibility, and more work, that is also a load of bullpucky. The LPN's responsibilities are *different*, not less, and her work is neither more nor less than that of the RN, again, just different. In some settings, the LPN is virtually indistinguishable from the RN working right next to her, but for the badge on their chests.

Catlady, Thanks for explaining that. Boy, I'm learning so much here since I joined 3 weeks ago!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2006

I taught LPNs in a one-year private school program. It has nothing to do with the amount of practical experience. The graduates earn the right to take the NCLEX-PN for licensure, not a vocational certificate. Sheesh.
And as for less responsibility, and more work, that is also a load of bullpucky. The LPN's responsibilities are *different*, not less, and her work is neither more nor less than that of the RN, again, just different. In some settings, the LPN is virtually indistinguishable from the RN working right next to her, but for the badge on their chests.

Thanks so much, Catlady, for your beautiful clarification.

SharonH, RN · Jul 6, 2006

Oh my lord, this thread is a hoot! I wasn't going to answer but now I will in appreciation for the laughs:

1.Type of nurse? I am a new clinical nurse specialist but I have been working in employee health for the past 4 years.

2. How many hours u work per week? 40 and not a minute over.

3. How many years of nursing? 15

4. What Shift: Days only, no weekends or holidays

5. City and State: Atlanta, GA

6. Average 2 week gross pay: 2250

LaNICUnurse · Jul 6, 2006

I taught LPNs in a one-year private school program. It has nothing to do with the amount of practical experience. The graduates earn the right to take the NCLEX-PN for licensure, not a vocational certificate. Sheesh.
And as for less responsibility, and more work, that is also a load of bullpucky. The LPN's responsibilities are *different*, not less, and her work is neither more nor less than that of the RN, again, just different. In some settings, the LPN is virtually indistinguishable from the RN working right next to her, but for the badge on their chests.

And where she is allowed to work, and the money in her wallet....sheesh.

Yes, it is less than an RN when you can not work in the same places I do, and when you can not do the same things I do. You can not automatically come out of your program and do IVs, work in ICUs, those are the things I wanted to do when I came out of school. You do get more grunt work. Yes, most of your chores are the same.

But, the RN license is responsible for the LPN, or LVN. That is law. Yes, you also have the responsibility, but when it comes down to my license, your action can affect mine. If you are not good at what you do, and I don't catch that, I can loose mine, because I am supposed to delegate to you. You do not delegate to RNs and if you do, that RN is not doing her job.

LaNICUnurse · Jul 6, 2006

Alright alright we heard you already. No one is saying that a person should go into nursing for the money, okay? But nurses are professionals, not just warm fuzzy angels of love, for crying out loud. Sheesh.

I never said we were. Sheesh.

LaNICUnurse · Jul 6, 2006

Also, I notice that you work in the NICU. It's a lot easier to use the word "love" constantly in your job description when you are dealing with small helpless infants who are completely dependent on your care. A lot harder when you're dealing with grown people who are verbally abusive, are non-compliant, drug addicts, and 350 lbs. I care for my patients a great deal and have a lot of compassion for them , but trust me, if I weren't getting paid adequately for what I do, I'd have to think twice about going. I am single and support myself, and finances ARE an issue for me.

You are right, however, I meet a lot of adult nurses that wouldn't step foot in my unit to work. Just like I won't step foot on an adult floor.

I went to school so that I could do what I am doing, it was my goal, not the money.

And, you consider yourself adequately compensated? I am single, support myself and my finances are an issue also. But, I think you should love what you do, if I didn't I wouldn't be in NICU. There are plenty of nurses that come through who don't like NICU either. Also, there are plenty of jobs that pay much more.

swatch007 · Jul 6, 2006

I am a new grad and will begin my new career next week. That being said, I find it disturbing you would post a survey regarding salaries. If you are studying nursing for the salary then you may want to rethink your decision. I certainly would not want you taking care of my family member if it is about the money. I chose to become a nurse because of my compassion for other people and my desire to make a difference. I have sat on the other side and know first hand the true value of a nurse. At the end of the day I will not be counting the money I earned, but recalling what I did, or what I could have done better. To be perfectly honest with you, I can not tell you off hand what my hourly rate will be. All I can say is that I will be part of a profession that I am honored to belong to. You see, I truly wanted to become a nurse for the sake of working in that capacity. There are plenty of other professions in which you can earn more and by all means will have less responsibility. In my opinion, if you are worried about the salary now as a student, nursing is not your calling.

Wake up my friend and smell a coffee! This is not an NCLEX world anymore. You gotta pay your bills and eat too. Nursing is not a "calling anymore" it is a profession that you have to do you job whether you like it or not; otherwise, your patients will sue you. This is a new generation --not Nightingale time anymore-- where nurses are no longer doctors' servants or "yes doc". You question everything (ex. meds, procedures etc. ). So do your job intelligently and get paid for it.

catlady, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2006

And where she is allowed to work, and the money in her wallet....sheesh.
Yes, it is less than an RN when you can not work in the same places I do, and when you can not do the same things I do. You can not automatically come out of your program and do IVs, work in ICUs, those are the things I wanted to do when I came out of school. You do get more grunt work. Yes, most of your chores are the same.
But, the RN license is responsible for the LPN, or LVN. That is law. Yes, you also have the responsibility, but when it comes down to my license, your action can affect mine. If you are not good at what you do, and I don't catch that, I can loose mine, because I am supposed to delegate to you. You do not delegate to RNs and if you do, that RN is not doing her job.

I delegate to RNs all the time. Being their supervisor doesn't mean I have more responsibility and that they do more work. We each have unique responsibilities, and we all work. You said that LPNs have less responsibility and more work. And I still say bullpucky.

I worked with an LPN as a new grad who taught me everything there was to know about med-surg. I've worked with LPNs in ICU who could do everything I could do except push IV meds. I've certainly worked with LPNs in long-term care who were completely in charge of their units. They didn't work any harder than I did, and I didn't work harder than they did. I was responsible for my work, and they were responsible for theirs. They work under their own license, just as the RNs who are not in charge work under their own licenses. Unless you are the director of nursing, legally delegating a task in accordance with the nurse practice act and facility policy does not make you responsible for another licensed nurse's work.

Oh, and while you might 'lose' your license for something, I hope you never 'loose' it. Just one of my pets named Peeve.

anonymouse · Jul 6, 2006

OHMYGARSH!!!!!

I've just blown about an hour reading all these posts thinking I was going to get a good idea of salary ranges. Much to my bored delight, I was entertained by the foolishness of some and the graciousness of others.

What I havent been able to understand is the argument of posters who state that it is poor manners to ask others what their salary is. Yes, this may be true if you are asking your neighbor, accountant, friend, etc.

But this is an online nursing forum that is soley for discussing different topics regarding the nursing profession. If you are curious about a nurse's salary, you dont ask her while standing in line at the grocery store! You come to websites like this one and post your question/survey! That is what the OP did, for Pete's sake!

If you are embarrassed or if you think we will figure out who you are, just answer anonymouse-ly! heehee---grammatically incorrect!!!:trout:

If it offends you, then you can go on to the next thread! And why were you looking at this thread in the first place??? Ah ha!! Caught you!!! You wanted to see the answers didnt you!?!?$!?!$

$$$ Would that be considered poor manners??!! $$$

I think that these types of surveys are completely valid for this type of website. It offers the chance to get a peek of what's going on around the country. I didnt find salary.com to be close to what salaries are in my area.

Btw, I'm still a RN student so my income is negative $5000 to negative $10,000 annually at this point.

So, Im glad I was able to get that off of my chest and add some spice to this uh, entertaining and sometimes informative thread.

Speaking of chests - It is definitely poor manners to discuss the size of them!!!! :lol2:

Peace

PS

I love this site. Thanks to all of you who share your knowledge here.

Wendy_RN · Jul 6, 2006

What are you going to do with your money from nursing? Are you going to give it to homeless shelters, charities, etc.? The tone of your post implies that you are into nursing because it's a great time and you have no financial responsibilities. I have bills I need to pay and fun I want to have with the money I make from nursing and I don't feel bad about it and I don't see why anyone else should either. I've been a nurse for almost a year now, and I find this career to be both rewarding and trying at times. If I didn't have to work to live I would volunteer as unlicensed personnel to fulfill my desire to help people, but I can't see myself volunteering to be a registered nurse where I can be sued for just about any action-- FOR FREE. No thanks.
1.Type of nurse?
Med-surg/Intermediate care
2. How many hours u work per week?
36 +
3. How many years of nursing?
1
4. What Shift:
7p-7a, 6 12-hr shifts in a row, 8 days off in between.
5. City and State:
New England
6. Take-home q2weeks:
$1500-$2000, depending on how much overtime I've done. Funny this is I had to look at my check stubs to figure that out-- all that matters to me is that I don't need to live paycheck to paycheck.[/quote
And just how did you determine that my tone implied that I went into nursing for a great time and that I have no financial responsibilities? I have bills to pay the same as anyone else. If I were only looking for financial gain, yes I would have chosen another field. While nurses do earn a decent salary, it is by far not in line with the responsibility they assume. I do feel you have to truly want to be a part of the profession and have the compassion for others. I am sorry if you disagree with that, but as I said in my original post, I have sat on the other side. Most young couples get engaged and get to enjoy that transition in their lives. I, on the other hand, got to adjust to my husband's cancer diagnosis. I am thankful for the compassion he received from his caregivers, and for what I learned from them.
And yes, I do intend to volunteer, the same as I have for the past 6 years. Funny, but I feel like we should help others when we can!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2006

But, the RN license is responsible for the LPN, or LVN. That is law. Yes, you also have the responsibility, but when it comes down to my license, your action can affect mine. If you are not good at what you do, and I don't catch that, I can loose mine, because I am supposed to delegate to you. You do not delegate to RNs and if you do, that RN is not doing her job.

At the LTC facility where I am employed, the assistant director of nurses (ADON) is an LVN who delegates to RN floor nurses. She is their direct supervisor and has the power to discipline them or terminate their employment. At every LTC facility where I have been employed, the ADON is almost always an LVN who delegates to one or more RNs.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2006

I delegate to RNs all the time. Being their supervisor doesn't mean I have more responsibility and that they do more work. We each have unique responsibilities, and we all work. You said that LPNs have less responsibility and more work. And I still say bullpucky.
I worked with an LPN as a new grad who taught me everything there was to know about med-surg. I've worked with LPNs in ICU who could do everything I could do except push IV meds. I've certainly worked with LPNs in long-term care who were completely in charge of their units. They didn't work any harder than I did, and I didn't work harder than they did. I was responsible for my work, and they were responsible for theirs. They work under their own license, just as the RNs who are not in charge work under their own licenses. Unless you are the director of nursing, legally delegating a task in accordance with the nurse practice act and facility policy does not make you responsible for another licensed nurse's work.
Oh, and while you might 'lose' your license for something, I hope you never 'loose' it. Just one of my pets named Peeve.

Right on! :cheers: