Boosting rate

[Anonymous]

Currently, I have an AS in liberal studies, am a CNA and children's yoga instructor. I'm going to finish up my BA in special education but was wondering if I took the extra classes to become a LPN would that help me obtain a higher rate? I would only need four courses and could take them during a summer session before starting my BA.

[Anonymous]

I would not pay extra for that but both my kids are healthy. I would think only families of kids with health issues would be willing to pay more for this.

[Anonymous]

you'd make more money as an lpn. why not do that instead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you'd make more money as an lpn. why not do that instead?

This. I'm an RN and there are not a ton of positions available for the situation/desired salary you would have. Like another pp said, most families with healthy children wouldn't see the need to pay more for a nanny with an LPN. Families with a child with big medical issues are more likely to stay at home with their child or hire an RN with pediatrics experience (I know quite a few RNs in this position). So your market would likely be pretty small. The market for an LPN is much larger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:you'd make more money as an lpn. why not do that instead?

This. I'm an RN and there are not a ton of positions available for the situation/desired salary you would have. Like another pp said, most families with healthy children wouldn't see the need to pay more for a nanny with an LPN. Families with a child with big medical issues are more likely to stay at home with their child or hire an RN with pediatrics experience (I know quite a few RNs in this position). So your market would likely be pretty small. The market for an LPN is much larger.

Op here, I'm considering working as an LPN in a pediatric office but my heart is in early intervention. I'm stuck in a tough situation because I don't have the credentials yet for the career I want, and the positions I can get in that field will only pay half of what I make as a nanny. So it's either money or doing what I love. I was hoping I could somehow find a way to market myself as a special needs nanny that could provide me with the income I need to maintain a stable life. I'd probably get my AS in nursing to become an RN once I finish my BA in education just because I love learning.

[Anonymous]

OP, the MBs on this site claim that there is very little a nanny can do/have that they'd pay more for, and they have a reason for everything. Speak three languages? Not worth anything. Have a degree? Not worth anything. Can cook chef quality healthy meals for the whole family? Not worth anything. Willing to clean their dirty underwear and scrub their toilets? Not worth anything, because you should be doing it anyway during nap time!!!

Of course there are people out there who would view someone with your training as a more valuable nanny. Don't let the cheapskates represented here discourage you. This nanny board is known for 2 things; crazy nannies, and crazy cheap MBs. People pay higher wages for nannies with teaching experience, for related and unrelated degrees, increased experience, and medical training. It just makes some parents feel more secure to have that kind of nanny, and you can find those families through a good agency. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, the MBs on this site claim that there is very little a nanny can do/have that they'd pay more for, and they have a reason for everything. Speak three languages? Not worth anything. Have a degree? Not worth anything. Can cook chef quality healthy meals for the whole family? Not worth anything. Willing to clean their dirty underwear and scrub their toilets? Not worth anything, because you should be doing it anyway during nap time!!!

Of course there are people out there who would view someone with your training as a more valuable nanny. Don't let the cheapskates represented here discourage you. This nanny board is known for 2 things; crazy nannies, and crazy cheap MBs. People pay higher wages for nannies with teaching experience, for related and unrelated degrees, increased experience, and medical training. It just makes some parents feel more secure to have that kind of nanny, and you can find those families through a good agency. Good luck!

+1

OP the more education and certs you have the better you'll do. Cheap families wont care but you don't want to work for them anyways. There are classy families who will respect what you have to offer. I personally would pay you more then I would a nanny with only a high school education.

[Anonymous]

There is a difference between paying a nanny with more education (associates/bachelors/etc) and paying a nanny with an LPN license. I don't think they can be treated as the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Most high-paying parents don't hang here. They're either busy making money or tending to their families.

[Anonymous]

OP, instead of nursing what about OT? Don't they have associate degree programs where you'd become an occupational therapist assistant? I would bet that more families would appreciate that (and pay you better) than an LPN. Plus, it would help you out in your interest in early intervention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, instead of nursing what about OT? Don't they have associate degree programs where you'd become an occupational therapist assistant? I would bet that more families would appreciate that (and pay you better) than an LPN. Plus, it would help you out in your interest in early intervention.

I have thought about it but I already have an associates degree and I'm working on my BA. I was only considering LPN because I'd only have to take four extra classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, instead of nursing what about OT? Don't they have associate degree programs where you'd become an occupational therapist assistant? I would bet that more families would appreciate that (and pay you better) than an LPN. Plus, it would help you out in your interest in early intervention.

I have thought about it but I already have an associates degree and I'm working on my BA. I was only considering LPN because I'd only have to take four extra classes.

Ah ok that makes sense. I'm the RN who posted above (and to the other posters, no, I'm not trying to shun her for getting more education). I don't think getting the LPN can hurt if you can handle the extra classes/still be able to work/then study for the boards. If anything, it gives you a fall back in the future if your plans change. But since you love learning, I'd go back and get my associates in OT. Getting your ADN (and then becoming an RN) will cancel out your LPN. So, if you really want to go back to college after your BA, it probably makes sense to go into OT. Plus, it sets you up in the future if you want to go on to get your Masters in OT. Anyways, just my two cents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, instead of nursing what about OT? Don't they have associate degree programs where you'd become an occupational therapist assistant? I would bet that more families would appreciate that (and pay you better) than an LPN. Plus, it would help you out in your interest in early intervention.

I have thought about it but I already have an associates degree and I'm working on my BA. I was only considering LPN because I'd only have to take four extra classes.

Ah ok that makes sense. I'm the RN who posted above (and to the other posters, no, I'm not trying to shun her for getting more education). I don't think getting the LPN can hurt if you can handle the extra classes/still be able to work/then study for the boards. If anything, it gives you a fall back in the future if your plans change. But since you love learning, I'd go back and get my associates in OT. Getting your ADN (and then becoming an RN) will cancel out your LPN. So, if you really want to go back to college after your BA, it probably makes sense to go into OT. Plus, it sets you up in the future if you want to go on to get your Masters in OT. Anyways, just my two cents.

Thank you for advice, it's been difficult focusing on just one single career path because I love everything. I know I'll end up a life long learner. My AS and BA are not related to nursing at all but I have so many random classes that it just so happens that going into a lpn program will be quick. My college has a program that allows credit for CNA-LPN, LPN-ADN and ADN-BSN, so it wouldn't be a waste, I'd just wouldn't have to take Nursing I if I decided to further my education. I'm looking into OT now to see if any courses I'm taking for my special education BA will transfer into that program. I wouldn't mind tacting on another year in order to get two BAs.

[Anonymous]

I don't think there is any need to insult parents who don't feel the need for advanced education credentials or medical training. I'm one of them. If I had those standards we wouldn't have our current nanny - who has been with us 3 years, is well compensated, and who I hope will be with us for at least 2 more years if she's willing.

I have pretty typical, healthy kids with no special needs. Nor am I the kind of parent who believes in pushing kids in terms of learning, skills, etc... So I don't have pie in the sky demands for a caregiver.

However, if I had a special needs child then I absolutely would seek out a candidate with the type of background OP is developing. I think it's a smaller market as a job seeker, but certainly one where clinical training, advanced education, etc... would be highly valued.

So I think there will likely be a smaller employer market for the skills OP offers, which means it may be hard for her to command the rates she wants for the more "garden variety" type nanny position (of the sort I represent).

I would totally support OP's choices, but she needs to know that the right fit for her will likely be with a family that either has special needs, or is more demanding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think there is any need to insult parents who don't feel the need for advanced education credentials or medical training. I'm one of them. If I had those standards we wouldn't have our current nanny - who has been with us 3 years, is well compensated, and who I hope will be with us for at least 2 more years if she's willing.

I have pretty typical, healthy kids with no special needs. Nor am I the kind of parent who believes in pushing kids in terms of learning, skills, etc... So I don't have pie in the sky demands for a caregiver.

However, if I had a special needs child then I absolutely would seek out a candidate with the type of background OP is developing. I think it's a smaller market as a job seeker, but certainly one where clinical training, advanced education, etc... would be highly valued.

So I think there will likely be a smaller employer market for the skills OP offers, which means it may be hard for her to command the rates she wants for the more "garden variety" type nanny position (of the sort I represent).

I would totally support OP's choices, but she needs to know that the right fit for her will likely be with a family that either has special needs, or is more demanding.

No one insulted parents who don't want those things. If you're referring to my post, what I meant was there are parents on this site who have certain skills and attributes on their list of must haves, but will deny tooth and nail that a nanny with those skills or attributes is worth more than your garden variety nanny. Being truly bilingual, meaning you don't just speak Spanish, but we can actually understand you in English, is a valuable skill. Having real cooking skills and a willingness to use them is valuable. Having the ability and willingness to manage a household (shopping, cleaning, and errand running) is valuable. A lot of MBs on this site will include these aspects to their jobs, require these skills of candidates, then want to know what to pay an average nanny. New flash, your average nanny speaks broken English, doesn't drive, has no formal education in child development, or even the problem solving skills that come with higher education, and she doesn't want to clean your house.