Salaries for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) differs geographically, but for the most part the large distinction in salary increase is when the LPN obtains five years of experience. There will always be a need for LPNs no matter the location. Andrea, who we spoke to several years back mentioned that getting a job as an LPN in Nashville Tennessee was just as easy as getting a job in Raleigh Durham North Carolina. Despite there being schools and accelerated training courses in certain cities, getting a job as an LPN or RN is quite easy because of the growth and demand.
Initially you can expect anywhere from $25,000 to $39,000 in income for your first few years as a nurse. The payscale will vary especially with the cost of living as well. Places like Long Beach, Sacramento, California or Buffalo New York may pay quite a bit more than a place like Allentown PA. Or San Antonio Texas where the pay scales are a lot lower than most places based on cost of living and saturation of the job market.
The best thing to do in any situation where money is an issue, or where you are deciding the pay will benefit you most is to carefully plan out the next few years before making the drastic changes on the fly. This allows you to be more in control of your life, and to have a clear perspective on why you are choosing a career.
If you are planning on going to a school, then you will want to attend close to the area you will be living after you earn the degree. If you will be taking most courses online, it will be good to begin thinking of the nearest college which offers what is needed to complete the course. Salary should never be the factor for making quick decisions. Just keep that in mind, and make wise decisions which will still provide a healthy salary as an LPN nurse.