What Factors Contribute To The Level Of LPN Wages
A licensed practical nurse or LPN’s wages are determined by many different variables. These variables will range from the amount of experience and education an LPN has, to the type of work environment they are exposed to daily, such as a hospital or a long term care facility.
An LPN has many responsibilities, some of these include taking a patients vital signs, feeding patients, keeping logs of patient’s progress and/or changes, applying bandages or dressings and collecting lab samples. An LPN has a tremendous amount of patient responsibility, and getting an education and a license in required. Usually an LPN certificate program can be completed in about a year.
In May 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average annual LPN salary was $39,030.00, but this can vary from state to state. As would be expected, LPN’s that are employed in larger cities are paid more than those living in smaller towns. The highest paid LPN’s usually work for an employment agency, followed by working at a nursing home or long term health care home and finally the lowest paid LPN’s tend to work in hospital or doctor office settings. Another thing to consider are those dreaded graveyard and weekend shifts, they tend to pay a higher hourly rate at nursing homes and hospitals.
When first entering the LPN work force, expect heavy workloads and stress. Caring for patients is a job that comes from the heart. It takes a very special and unique person to make taking care of other people their life’s work. Most patients, when asked, will remember the LPN’s and nurses that cared for them during their stay at a hospital, ER, outpatient facility, etc., more than they will remember the doctors. Patients can be confused, frightened and very vulnerable and for these reasons as well the workload and stress involved, LPN’s are compensated well.
The need for medical personnel, in all areas, is projected to grow faster than ever in the next few years. This need will influence the current pay scale, as more and more LPN’s will be needed. The average salary should increase for the LPN work force.
The medical field is in constant motion…always expanding, introducing new procedures, new medications, etc., to make life easier for the patients and their families. For that purpose continuing education as an LPN will always benefit the employee as well as the employer and the patients.
Discussion Area - Leave a Comment