Would you accept LPN wages as an RN just to have a job?

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I have a really good friend who is a DON at a LTC where I've worked before. She needs a night shift nurse every other weekend, which is what I'm looking for, nights or evenings. She is attempting to get the administrator to let her hire me...but the admin. is balking because she says to my friend..why hire an RN for an LPN job?

I need a job badly....I'm tempted to ask for lower wages just to get the job. What would you do?

Blessings, Michelle

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Hmmm . . . In my city of residence, the nursing homes will usually hire RN staff nurses at a pay rate that is usually $5 to $7 more per hour than the LVN staff nurses. For example, the night shift RN at my workplace earns $26 per hour, while the LVNs start off at a rate of $21.50 hourly.

But, you can always negotiate a lower pay rate if you are desperate for a job. Good luck!

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

NO. You are expected to practice as a RN with all the responsibilities. I would want to be paid for what I am worth.

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Specializes in L&D,Wound Care, SNC.

I currently live overseas and it took me four months to find my job and five more months to start working. I would have accepted LPN wages just to get my foot in the door.

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Specializes in Certified Wound Care Nurse.

IMHO - I wouldn't. There's too much responsibility as previously stated.

I saw this type of thing happen in the IT industry. Initially, the salary was great, a specialized field... then, as the market became more saturated, people with a similar skillset began to accept less pay as the bottom began dropping out. The very acceptance of less pay set a precedent for others of us in the industry - setting the salary scale to much less than what we were worth. As it happened, I did accept twice as much work for 50% less back then - thinking that I wanted to "keep" my feet in the door... only to walk in one evening to hear, "We're sorry, but you're laid off... but, hey, can you finish up this project you're working on? Oh, there's no severance pay, either..."

Good luck...

RiverNurse

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Hmmmm....If you are desparate, I dunno?

What about hiring you as prn and just have you fill in? Any way around that?

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If I had no other option, sure. LPN pay is better than McDonald's pay.

If I had other options, no way in heck.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.
If I had no other option, sure. LPN pay is better than McDonald's pay.

yay for LPN's!

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I've heard that LPN = "Low Paid Nurse"

And while to an extent that's true, there aren't many other careers that offer such a level of pay for one year of post-secondary education.

It's enough to put food on the table, but as an RN, I demand to be adequately compensated for my education and experience.

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Specializes in ER, Infusion therapy, Oncology.
I have a really good friend who is a DON at a LTC where I've worked before. She needs a night shift nurse every other weekend, which is what I'm looking for, nights or evenings. She is attempting to get the administrator to let her hire me...but the admin. is balking because she says to my friend..why hire an RN for an LPN job?

I need a job badly....I'm tempted to ask for lower wages just to get the job. What would you do?

Blessings, Michelle

I am sorry you are in the position that you would have to consider such an option. :cry: I learned a long time of go to never say never, but I would have to be in a very bad position first. Good luck.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Oh finally...a break! Got an interview tomorrow morning at another LTC who specifically wants evenings/nights RN's. There may be hope for me yet!

Blessings, Michelle

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Oh finally...a break! Got an interview tomorrow morning at another LTC who specifically wants evenings/nights RN's. There may be hope for me yet!

Blessings, Michelle

Good luck! I hope you find a job that works out for you!
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