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

[mondkmondk]

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

[StrwbryblndRN]

I would not want to do so but if it meant for my family to have what they need than of course. I am not sure how being licencsed as an RN would affect your resposibilities. PP indicated that could be an issue. Check into that first. Could be the deal breaker.

[Flightline, BSN, RN]

Compensation is always an individual decision. One weighs the work against the pay and makes a decision that is acceptable to them. RNs don't all make the same amount. I made over 40/h traveling and make about 30/h at home where I work. That's more than $10 an hour difference. That's a whole 'nother job. But I don't want to travel, so my pay is fine.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Good luck to the OP in trying to find an RN job. I hope she finds something that meets ALL of her needs, including her needs for an RN salary.

However ... I have a PhD and have worked for 10 years in a position that only "requires" an MSN. My colleagues have MSN's and are paid the same as I am. I chose this job because it meets some of my key needs even though my higher level of education is not reflected in my paycheck.

RN's with BSN's (and MSN's) are working alongside nurses without that extra education and being paid at the same rate all over the country every day.

While this RN/LPN salary is not exactly the same thing, it is similar. If the job suits your needs, sometimes it is worth doing at the lower rate of pay. In the OP's case, I would take the job (along with the paycheck and experience) while I looked for one that paid better.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Good luck to the OP in trying to find an RN job. I hope she finds something that meets ALL of her needs, including her needs for an RN salary.

However ... I have a PhD and have worked for 10 years in a position that only "requires" an MSN. My colleagues have MSN's and are paid the same as I am. I chose this job because it meets some of my key needs even though my higher level of education is not reflected in my paycheck.

RN's with BSN's (and MSN's) are working alongside nurses without that extra education and being paid at the same rate all over the country every day.

While this RN/LPN salary is not exactly the same thing, it is similar. If the job suits your needs, sometimes it is worth doing at the lower rate of pay. In the OP's case, I would take the job (along with the paycheck and experience) while I looked for one that paid better.

I think the difference is that LPNs and RNs are licensed differently.

The job responsibilities and organizational structure may be the deal-breaker here, not the lower pay.

[Farmer Jane]

I don't know about that. When you choose to become an RN over an LPN you have a reasonable expectation that your income will increase. When you choose to complete a BSN you expect that your pay will hardly change but there may be benefits down the road. When you choose to complete a MSN you expect more opportunities, but that the pay is wildly different based upon your job. When you choose to complete a Ph.D. and work for a university you expect that your pay will decrease.

It's all about reasonable expectations.

[OC_An Khe]

Absolutely not with the caveat unless my kids were starving and needed a roof over their heads.

[short1978]

Only you know what is right for you and your family. You could possibly go in and discuss what care you will be providing and base it on that. It may be that you would be doing less RN skills than you would at a regular hospital, etc. If that is the case then maybe less pay would be understandable since you would be doing less things. But if you are doing the same work you would be doing as an RN elsewhere then that is something to consider.

I know that regardless right now people are having hard times finding jobs, etc. So consider your options and do what you think is right.

Heck, if you take the job for less per hr and get in there and do a great job then maybe they can bump your pay.

[Truth66]

This issue usually gets me all fired up, but I'll try and sensor my self to the best of my ability.

About 9 years ago my employer tried to lay off over 100 Practical Nurses to convert them to lower paid Health Care Aides. It worked out to approximately a 13% reduction in wages. Now it's a municipal employer which also employ's police, fire, etc. Then we found out that the fire fighter's were getting exactly a 13% wage increase.

For the most part employers have very little respect for the qualifications and experience of a female dominated workforce. Not to mention that society has no problem paying over $60 and hour for a plumber or a mechanic, yet will cringe at paying a well educated nurse over $40 an hour (depending on where you work, it may be more or less) to care for the elderly, or to help save one's life.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

The pay difference between LPNs and RNs in my area is very distinct and would be felt. I guess I would do what I have to do to eat, but would be very uncomfortable with this. However, I am reading that hospitals that are phasing out LPNs have them (the LPNs) working and being paid as CNAs, so, I guess the situation is similar...they need to work, in their case, they probably have security, seniority, pension and other beenies that may not be acquired in another position.

I pray that the other position you posted comes through for you, though. You need to be paid what you are worth.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

I think the difference is that LPNs and RNs are licensed differently.

The job responsibilities and organizational structure may be the deal-breaker here, not the lower pay.

Yes, they are licensed differently, but the issue is that the nursing home administrator doesn't want to pay an RN $$ for what an LPN could do at less $$. The RN could do all the duties of the LPN so that isn't the issue. The facility would make out in the fact that they have an RN, pay her less, but then get the RN duties out of her too.

[Truth66]

Exactly true Michelle126. Years ago an administrator was overheard saying that he prefers to hire nurses for health care aide possitions because he knew that his residents were going to get the best possible care and yet not have to pay them as much. Whether you're an RN, LPN, RPN, etc., facilities know that nurses are accountable for their scope of practice and must function within their scope. A Nurse can't say "I'm not doing that treatment today because I'm not being paid as a nurse". If you're the only nurse around, you have no choice. Failure to do so could result in severe disciplinary action by both the employer and their governing body. Agencies and labour organizations know this.

Many Labour organizations don't pursue this because as long as there is a warm body occupying that possition to pay regular union dues, that suits them quite fine.

As far as I'm concerned this ongoing not paying nurses for what they're worth and for their proper title is no more than ongoing exploitation of nurses. Then again many employers, labour organizations and many parts of society view nurses nothing more than a bunch of women, therefore not a priority.

[lpnflorida]

Monk, I think you need to do based on what you need to do. No one else walks in your shoes. If accepting a job which will provide you some funds while still looking for a job which would pay you more. Then do what you need to do.

None of us has to pay your bills, but you do.