[dander625]

I live in Northern NJ and interviewed recently for a part-time day RN position at a LTC/sub-acute facility. I was told by HR that the starting rate for a new grad RN is $22.50 per hour. I thought this was low. Hospitals in my area start new grads at anywhere from $28 - $31.50 per hour on days. Is there really such a big difference in starting salary between LTC and hospitals? If I'm offered the position, I'd like to try to negotiate the starting rate. Thanks for your help!

[onyx77]

I live in WI and I was offered only .25 cents more in the hospitals that I applied at compared to the LTC facility that I accepted a job at. I would've had to drive an hour each way to the hospital - 25 cents more an hour isn't enough to cover the gas that would be used!

[Nascar nurse]

From what I have read on this site, this seems to vary greatly from region to region. It seems some areas pay more for LTC than hospitals, but this is not always true!

I have 20 years of only LTC experience. Just this week I had an interview at my local hospital and was offered $1.50 more than my previous salary.

[moviefan2000]

Hi,
I also live and work in Northern New Jersey, but as a new LPN, not RN. At my Assisted Living Facility the starting pay for an LPN is about $22-23/hour. At my first job at a sub-acute center RNs got $30/hour, and LPNs $21/hour. For an RN the rate offered seems rather low for this area.
Good luck with finding a great job.

[TheCommuter]

In my area, new grad RNs are paid more at LTCFs.

Hospitals pay new RNs anywhere from $21 to $23 hourly; this is with no shift differentials factored in. The nursing homes pay new RNs between $25 and $27 hourly.

[nurse gracie]

That sounds low for LTC. I am in South Jersey and RNS start at 25.75. Of course north Jersey is higher due to proximity to NYC. I believe our LTCS start RNS at 24-26 per hour.

[browneyed9127]

Hi! I',m an RN as well and I just started working here in North Jersey LTC, Sub-Acute Unit. Starting rate in my facility for RN is $26 plus 1.75/hr if you'll be assigned in sub-acute.

[Chloe'sinNYNow]

Upstate NY:
Hospital RN/BSN - $20.75 plus diffs
LTC/NH for RN/BSN - $17.86 plus diffs

No lie. That's what I got and what I'm being offered. But I feel it's worth it considering what I left and what I'm looking forward to. My quality of life is no less than those I'm taking care of. And in the hospital I was in, I was just a warm body filling a space. At the NH I'm applying to, it's clean, happy, and I should be so lucky a to take that major pay cut.

Chloe

[CapeCodMermaid]

We are one of the lowest paying places around but even WE pay RNs more than 17/hr....heck, the LPNs make more than that to start. There is no extra for a BSN or any kind of other certification.

[Chloe'sinNYNow]

It's all about cost of living for the area. Being a new grad I sure don't have haggling/negotiating power.

Chloe