Donna Cardillo

This post has been sponsored by RQI. “It’s a beautiful day to save lives

I received an email asking me to come in for a job interview. Another reason to hold off on the salary question/discussion is that until you’ve been on the interview and have a sense of what the job entails – such as the size of the department/company, the hours, responsibilities and so on — you can’t possibly gauge if the salary is appropriate. So regardless of what the salary may be, the benefits can be the main selling point, including insurance coverage, amount of vacation and personal days, tuition reimbursement and so on. And regardless of how the salary is stated or presented, unless you are applying for a clinical direct care role, there may be room for negotiating a better salary, benefits, and/or working conditions (working from home, flexible hours, etc.).

By and large, LPNs still have opportunities in long-term care, assisted living and rehabilitation facilities, as well as hospice and home care. Additionally, LPNs are also being used in schools, psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals/clinics, correctional facilities and a wide range of other ambulatory care settings, including medical practices, clinics, group homes, dialysis, wound care centers and more. The job market is competitive for all nurses, so putting your best foot forward, activating and cultivating your professional network, and continuously expanding your skill set are all essential. Participation in professional associations expands your professional network, keeps you current with knowledge, information, and trends, and provides support throughout your career.

She and I were the only ones in the aisle and she was still focused on her work. She then turned and looked at me with a smile on her face and I could tell by her expression that she was addressing me. She had a very unusual color treatment to her hair and I complimented her on it. We chatted more about hair color and style and I wished her a good evening and started to walk away.