Nursing Jobs and the Salary to Expect
I have received several questions asking where new nurses should try to land their first job. There are several answers to this question; it totally depends on the nurse and what is important to that individual nurse. As a rule of thumb all nurses are encouraged to work at least one year in a hospital setting. It is important to note that several hospitals are now beginning to phase out LPNs. With that being said if you intend to seek employment in a hospital it would be good to try and gain some hospital experience while you are in school. Some may have to volunteer or work as a CNA. It is a well known fact that it is much easier to get hired as a LPN in a hospital if you are already are on staff prior to graduating. Some hospitals are still hiring LPNs so it will just be a matter of doing the research in the area in which you intend to work.
I have received several questions asking where new nurses should try to land their first job. There are several answers to this question; it totally depends on the nurse and what is important to that individual nurse. As a rule of thumb all nurses are encouraged to work at least one year in a hospital setting. It is important to note that several hospitals are now beginning to phase out LPNs. With that being said if you intend to seek employment in a hospital it would be good to try and gain some hospital experience while you are in school. Some may have to volunteer or work as a CNA. It is a well known fact that it is much easier to get hired as a LPN in a hospital if you are already are on staff prior to graduating. Some hospitals are still hiring LPNs so it will just be a matter of doing the research in the area in which you intend to work.
Some nurses graduate with experience in the healthcare field and are basically ready to make money after graduating. For LPNs, I find that they make more money and have more responsibility in long term settings such as nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. In a long term care setting there is also alot of room for growth for LPNs. LPNs in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers are often unit managers, supervisors, charge nurses, assistant charge nurses, assistant director of nursing, care plan coordinator, MDS nurse, wound care nurse and team leaders. LPNs also have the opportunity to be director of nursing in an assistant living facility.
Home health is another field of nursing that LPNs can go into to make extra money as well as agency nursing. I would suggest, again having at least one to two years of experience before going into these fields.
LPNs can expect to make anywhere from $19.00/hr to $24.00/hr working in a long-term care setting, home health or agency setting.
LPNs can expect to make anywhere from $15.00/hr to $21.00/hr in a hospital setting. All salaries vary depending on the region. I feel LPNs working in a hospital setting can gain the most experience working on a med-surge unit, where they will come in contact with a wide variety of patients.
I have included a video link at the beginning of this article that maybe helpful as well. Check it out and be sure to let me know what you think and post any questions or tips that you may have.
I have included a video link at the beginning of this article that maybe helpful as well. Check it out and be sure to let me know what you think and post any questions or tips that you may have.
What region of the country, because it varies widely where you work. I've work as an RN in Florida, Washington, Oregon, California and Minnesota. In FL it was mid $20's, while in San Francisco CA it was in the Mid $50's
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment NP Odyssey. I am posting a short blog in response.
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