melinda lee 16 Posts Jul 15, 2007 i moved to texas and some of the lpns i speak to are maken $17 an hour.I have also spoke to some rns that say they make $30 an hr thats a big difference.I believe you just have to like what you do,if your content where you are stay there.
FlyaboveLPN 101 Posts Has 7 years experience. Jul 15, 2007 IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU LIVE!! I read some quotes stating "LPNs are getting laid off" and "LPNs work hard", well guess what, where I live (on earth) everyone works hard. Including lawyers, doctors, carpenters, etc. I know of alot jobs that "lay" people off. Just don't give up, "that's my motto." If you listen to everything people tell you'll never make it!!
kstec, LPN 483 Posts Specializes in Geriatrics/Family Practice. Has 1 years experience. Jul 15, 2007 I've only been a LPN for one year and I plan on staying one for now. I enjoy both my clinic and LTC jobs. I do find that I encounter way to much LPN vs RN issues. At the present time the idea of going back to school makes me want to vomit. I put my family on the back burner while in school for the LPN and do not intend on doing it again anytime soon. Both of my prn jobs are good, I make decent money and thoroughly enjoy the patient interaction. LTC is the primary job for LPN's at the present time, but that is okay. If you find a good facility than you work hard but not to the point of endangering anyone's life. My residents are precious in that they make me feel good when they smile from ear to ear when they see me, which in turn makes me smile from ear to ear. The clinic environment is entirely different but just adds to my knowledge in a different way. I say that if your not sure you want to be a nurse but think you might, do the LPN and get a feel for it. If you have no other obligations besides yourself (no husband or kids) do the RN. Taking the scenic route is okay and if you enjoy where your at present, that's great. I honestly think we should start asking each RNe when they are going to go back and become nurse practicioners, or doctors they way everyone asks LPN's when they are going to go back and get there RN. Why can't being a LPN be a career rather than a stepping stone to your RN?
BigB 520 Posts Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA. Has 3 years experience. Jul 16, 2007 yeah, the idea of going back to school now is not too high on my list. I have too much other things going on right now.I've only been a LPN for one year and I plan on staying one for now. I enjoy both my clinic and LTC jobs. I do find that I encounter way to much LPN vs RN issues. At the present time the idea of going back to school makes me want to vomit. I put my family on the back burner while in school for the LPN and do not intend on doing it again anytime soon. Both of my prn jobs are good, I make decent money and thoroughly enjoy the patient interaction. LTC is the primary job for LPN's at the present time, but that is okay. If you find a good facility than you work hard but not to the point of endangering anyone's life. My residents are precious in that they make me feel good when they smile from ear to ear when they see me, which in turn makes me smile from ear to ear. The clinic environment is entirely different but just adds to my knowledge in a different way. I say that if your not sure you want to be a nurse but think you might, do the LPN and get a feel for it. If you have no other obligations besides yourself (no husband or kids) do the RN. Taking the scenic route is okay and if you enjoy where your at present, that's great. I honestly think we should start asking each RNe when they are going to go back and become nurse practicioners, or doctors they way everyone asks LPN's when they are going to go back and get there RN. Why can't being a LPN be a career rather than a stepping stone to your RN?
pagandeva2000, LPN 7,984 Posts Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health. Jul 16, 2007 I've only been a LPN for one year and I plan on staying one for now. I enjoy both my clinic and LTC jobs. I do find that I encounter way to much LPN vs RN issues. At the present time the idea of going back to school makes me want to vomit. I put my family on the back burner while in school for the LPN and do not intend on doing it again anytime soon. Both of my prn jobs are good, I make decent money and thoroughly enjoy the patient interaction. LTC is the primary job for LPN's at the present time, but that is okay. If you find a good facility than you work hard but not to the point of endangering anyone's life. My residents are precious in that they make me feel good when they smile from ear to ear when they see me, which in turn makes me smile from ear to ear. The clinic environment is entirely different but just adds to my knowledge in a different way. I say that if your not sure you want to be a nurse but think you might, do the LPN and get a feel for it. If you have no other obligations besides yourself (no husband or kids) do the RN. Taking the scenic route is okay and if you enjoy where your at present, that's great. I honestly think we should start asking each RNe when they are going to go back and become nurse practicioners, or doctors they way everyone asks LPN's when they are going to go back and get there RN. Why can't being a LPN be a career rather than a stepping stone to your RN?You made a WONDEFUL comment; we need to start asking THEM when are they going to become BSNs, MSNs, Nurse Practitioners or even physicians. It may actually give them a taste of their own medicine. Kudos to you for thinking of that!
allantiques4me 481 Posts Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home. Jul 17, 2007 You made a WONDEFUL comment; we need to start asking THEM when are they going to become BSNs, MSNs, Nurse Practitioners or even physicians. It may actually give them a taste of their own medicine. Kudos to you for thinking of that!I agree 100%Who are some of these people to judge ????:angryfire
cocobear1 4 Posts Specializes in LTC, PHYSICAL REHAB, CRITICAL CARE. Has 21 years experience. Jul 19, 2007 Hi there ! I've been an LPN for 21 yrs. and have NEVER had the desire to be an RN solely because I LOVE PATIENT CARE !!!! The RN is swamped with paperwork and relies on guess who for their information...the LPN and CNA's. I have enough stress on my job with inadequate staffing when the acuity is high let alone filling out numerous forms out the wazoo. My best advice to a student LPN is to get as much experience in a variety of fields as possible. It keeps your mind active and nursing never loses it flavor that way. It's too easy to become stagnant. Keep learning. Even if it's another field other than nursing. I became a massotherapist and the schooling for it was much more difficult than nursing. Our anatomy and physiology was equal to a first year med student A&P. But I incorporate it into the nursing. And the patients love it too. Never lose sight of what's in your heart.
egglady, LPN 361 Posts Specializes in Geriatrics. Has 25 years experience. Jul 19, 2007 I have been an LPN for a long time. I am at top pay which is over 22$ per hour in LTC. I make more than the RNs do until they reach the 7 year mark of employment. I love LTC!!!! If I went back to school, I would have student loans, and then take a dump on my wages, and be stuck on a pm or night shift- ick!!
owensjm 6 Posts Jul 19, 2007 I have been an LPN for 18 years. I did attempt to go back but I thought " I am happy with who I am" There are good jobs out there for LPN's I have been in management, making 23.00 an hour. Great benefits. I think you need to ask yourself are you happy with yourself. I love being an LPN, and the good thing about it ,I became a nurse to take care of patients, being in managment involves being a "trouble shooter" for whatever might be going on. Paper work controls the day. I respect the RN because there have been times I have had to call one for back up and they were there. I admire anybody that goes back to school, especially if you are young. When I went back it consumed so much time and I thought I make good money, have great benefits and life is passing me by and I was just not willing to give up that time. But again I think that is up to the individual, I have two daughters who are LPN and one of them is going back for her RN and I encouraged her to do so.
anniev 79 Posts Jul 21, 2007 I have been a working LPN for 15 years I love it I make app 21.00 hour I work 3-12 off 4 it is fantastic. in the ltc where I work at they do not like to pay OT so not too much worry about that, Some days are challenged as far as stnas and work loads but I still love it , I only think about my RN since they hired on this new RN who took 4 times to pass her boards, she worked at facility in office job till she passed since then I am frightened for the facility she is a danger I will not go into details but she has forgotten all clinical knowledge, yes they know the powers that be but they need the RN for state regs so the LPN that work with her pick up the slack and pray she really doesn't have to make a decision on her own that is out of our practice that will jeopardize the facility or any residents. I do fell sorry for her because she really wants to do this but it seems so far over her head and I truly think it is for the pay check only and to say Oh I am a RN! This is the only time I think about it. 1 to protect my residents2 I end up having to do most of it for her, even how to chart3 She gets paid more and I am doing both jobs hers and mine.
pagandeva2000, LPN 7,984 Posts Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health. Jul 21, 2007 I have been an LPN for 18 years. I did attempt to go back but I thought " I am happy with who I am" There are good jobs out there for LPN's I have been in management, making 23.00 an hour. Great benefits. I think you need to ask yourself are you happy with yourself. I love being an LPN, and the good thing about it ,I became a nurse to take care of patients, being in managment involves being a "trouble shooter" for whatever might be going on. Paper work controls the day. I respect the RN because there have been times I have had to call one for back up and they were there. I admire anybody that goes back to school, especially if you are young. When I went back it consumed so much time and I thought I make good money, have great benefits and life is passing me by and I was just not willing to give up that time. But again I think that is up to the individual, I have two daughters who are LPN and one of them is going back for her RN and I encouraged her to do so.That is basically what I think; I don't want to get back into that rigorous study schedule, dealing with wild professors and I don't want to waste more time in life being stressed out over school ever again. This was enough for me.
