If you're thinking about becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), then one important question you are sure to have is, what does it pay? Of course, people are driven to join the LPN profession for other reasons than just money.
The LPN provides critical patient care in a variety of key medical settings, and this essential service is the driving force behind many efforts to join the profession.
Still, though, a would-be LPN will probably be at least curious about what he or she can hope to earn.
It is easy enough to simply cite average salary figures, and even to list them by state.
For instance, nationwide, LPNs earn on average thirty four thousand dollars per year, or about seventeen dollars per hour.
Pay ranges nationwide from a low of under fourteen dollars per hour to a high of over twenty one dollars per hour.
So there, the hard and the fast of real world statistical information.
Maybe, though, that's not enough for you, nor should it be, because there are many factors affecting LPN salaries which should also be considered.
First, probably, is the state where the LPN will work.
Salaries range from state to state, based on a variety of circumstances.
Among those is cost of living in the locale, demand for services, and general availability of LPNs nearby.
It is simply true, of course, that supply and demand affect pay rates.
The more LPNs there are, the less they will earn.
Fortunately, there is a high demand for LPNs in almost all places, so pay rates are not deflated by this effect.
Another important characteristic of LPN work to consider is the type of facility the LPN works in.
LPNs who travel, as some do, earn the highest pay.
Of those working locally, LPNs working through agencies providing temporary work coverage come in second on the pay scale.
Past that, pay rates match up with facilities pretty closely.
Generally speaking, private care facilities pay most and hospitals pay least.
Perhaps supply and demand enters into the equation here as well, as it is hospitals where most LPNs are interested in working.
Shift work affects pay, too, with overnight shifts generally paying more than day shifts.
Needless to say, experience enters into it, as well.
As an LPN's experience increases, so will his or her pay.
There are probably no areas in the United States where the need for LPNs does not outstrip their availability.
This is not expected to change anytime soon.
The United States government reports that by 2018, there will be a need for over 500,000 new and replacement LPNs in the United States.
Seemingly, job security is assured.
Job satisfaction, too, as surveys find overwhelming satisfaction with their careers among LPNs in every state.
The work is challenging, but also eminently rewarding.
Many advancement opportunities also exist, with LPNs moving quickly into administrative positions, and some LPNs even advancing education and training and becoming registered nurses.