Top 10 Best and Worst States to be a LPN/LVN

I have been an LPN for 30 years, on the same job for 25 years. I have seen amazing changes for LPN's. Unfortuneately, it is declining. The worst is the growing amount of lack of respect for the profession---THAT'S RIGHT, PROFFESSION!!! We went to school. We learned, and were trained in invasive procedures. We are professionals, REALLY. We are not treated as such most times and although we were not as thoroughly, detailed and intensely trained as RN's, We are iprofessionals. Most LPN's who have been in the field over 7-9 years and are knowledgeable, are even tasked to teach (precept, tutor, show how to perform, etc.) new hire RN's or new Grad RN's. What happens? 3-9 months later, they become your new sup. or worse, you become unemployed. Anyone noticed most of these new jobs and openings are mostly nursing homes / living centers/ retirement centers / rehab centers? Even if it is a 'hospital' job, it is not in the acute care setting (active med-surg wards), but the 'chronic' long or intermediate term or transitional care units of the hospital-basically the same as the 'centers' above. Sorry, I digress. Basically, LPN's are now being treated as 3rd class citizens in the field. And it does not look like it will be getting any better. Did you really go through all that education to stagnate in a chronic setting, or did you want some acute action in your professional life?

I have been a LPN in Illinois for 30 years. The best pay is for Restorative nurses and MDS Coordinators. My last Restorative job paid $31.00/HR. These are primary "desk"jobs and once you get your feet in the door the sky is the limit.

All I can say is get ready for a huge paycut and an increase in work. I'm looking to relocate myself. Any suggestions in terms of states?

I have been a nurse for approx 20 years last 5 in Home health. Ready to return to LTC. Does anybody know of a good travel agency for LPNs

Lllllh

For the person that asked about CIncinnati, the pay ranges from $16-$22. Depending on where you work. Over all there are mostly only nursing home positions here. The average pay for nursing homes is $19-$22. I agree with suthrngrl that Ohio sucks for LPN's. I am born and raised here and considering moving. The people you work with are backstabbers, they set you up to fail, and when you make a mistake they fire you, even if it's a minor mistake inorder to protect their own jobs. So many people are fired here it's unreal. Not sure where you live now but for the person that is considering moving here beware, if you can move somewhere else. I'm looking to move down south somewhere, maybe Charlotte. If I didn't have all my family here that helps me with my toddler and other child, I would have been gone!

I'm an LVN in California. I'd love to say it's great being on this list, but I can't find a freaking job!