Why are LPNS so underpaid and disrespected

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I am a new LPN after I graduated and passed my boards I found out what people really think of LPNS. I get asked so many questions like: why did you go for LPN and not RN? (And this was coming from a nursing assistant) and I was also asked. Are you a real nurse or a pretend nurse? Or why didn't you just go all the way? Or are you going back? My answer is always I'm going back for RN. I was a nursing assistant for 8 years I was really burned out I needed and change and I was tired of living paycheck to paycheck. I needed something fast it was a stepping stone and I have full intentions of getting my RN. I just hate the disrespect I worked so hard for my LPN and people act like it's nothing that was the toughest year of my life. I also notice in my are LPNS make between 17-20 in my area, but that what they were making 10 years ago. Why haven't nurses got raises, but yet they have raised the pay scales of nursing assistants and other fields. It makes me mad when people want min. Wage to be 15/hr when I work hard just to make $17/hr. I think a petition should be started.

Specializes in Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula.

On the other hand, there are LPNs in the field who have a big chip on their shoulder and feel like they shouldn't have to do anything extra when there's an RN around, like call the provider, hang IV ABX, note orders, etc., and who use their own perception of how LPNs aren't valued to undervalue *themselves*.

Work hard, blow off what's not useful, and you'll be valued no matter what. I work with LPNs that I would trust with my patients (and if I were their patient) and I work with RNs that I wouldn't let take care of my worst enemy.

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I've been a Nurse since 2011 and the pay I got then was 16.50 for LTC/SNF facility. I work now in a AL/Memory facility and my pay is 18 and this is the top out. Not much progress for six years. I don't look for things to change in my area, which is SW Ohio. I don't want to go back to school. I would like to try travel nursing, but in my area I don't get the trach/IV experience I would need. What to do....what to do.

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Thank you for the discussion forum posting. I am in agreement with you that LPN's are definitely underpaid. I have been a CNA since 1999 and I am trying to get my LVN (vocational nursing license); even though I know that the pay will be slightly more than a CNA. LPN's do a lot of good work like charting and do more administrative work as well. Plus, in some positions they can do charge nursing on a unit. A lot of people who are LPN's do get their BSN's for more money and more opportunity and I am thankful for that. I wish you the best.

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.
Unless I am wearing my name tag showing I am a LPN, when asked what I do, I just reply that I am a nurse.

Now I am moving to Texas in the fall and it looks like I will have to take a pay cut. I am currently working through a staffing agency and get $30 an hour. It looks like in Texas that I will be back to the $17 an hour rate.

Depends where you're moving to in Texas. You should expect much more than that in many parts of the state. But it's a big state.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, LTC, Internal Medicine, FP.

I am in South West FL, and the wage for nurses here is based on experience.. its like 0-1 year = 19/hour 1-3 is 22/hour and so on... I am talking about in facilities such as Rehab/LTC/Post acute care etc.. I am sure dr office would be much lower. I know Dr. Office for LPN in Missouri started out at 13 an hour! What a joke!!!!!!

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North Florida pays was not that good. I was offered a FT job at 16/hr. I make that in Ohio and the cost of living is less. I changed my mind and didn't take the job.

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minimum wage is 99% politics, but Im not going into any more detail than that, (not the proper place for me to do that)you are totally right. :-)

by the way LPN pays around $23-25/hr here in Phoenix, even more in CA, and northwest. Northeast is highest pay. google average LPN pay in __________. youll get a feel for where the money is best, also.....indeed.com is a great resourse.

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My highest LVN wage was $27/hr in 2010 with four years of experience in Texas, a low cost-of-living state. Since I earned more money than many university graduates, I did not consider myself underpaid or disrespected as an LVN.

Do you mind reading my post in the beginning of the page about TX LVNs.

Thankyou much 😘

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I have been an LVN for 26 years. While I was well paid by my union job most of those years, we were reminded of our status quite frequently. It seems to me that the trend is to phase out LVNs over time, especially in acute care. I have been looking for a post retirement position lately and it is quite discouraging to see that the pay for LVNs has not much improved since I graduated from school in 1990.

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