[Blackcat99]

I have thought about doing private duty as an LPN but it seems that none of the agencies even offer medical insurance? Does anyone know any private duty agencies that offer good medical coverage too? Thanks

[susieQ72]

I recently started doing private duty peds per diem. I would love to do it full time but the benefits don't compare to what I receive from the hospital to cover my family (I work PT and pay $75 a month for full med/dental). In my area the agencies I've encountered covers the employee with a small monthly copay ($100-200?) but not good when needing medical benefits for a family.

[ArwenEvenstar]

Generally speaking, agencies offer very few, if any, benefits - of any kind. So what you are finding is typical. Southern Home (ResCare) medical insurance is terrible. You have to pay a lot for it, and on top of that the medical coverage is terrible.

[Blackcat99]

Thanks so much. I work in an assisted living facility and the medical insurance is good. It gets so hectic where I work that I had been thinking of trying private duty nursing. However, I am not willing to give up "good medical insurance" because it is so rare to find it these days.

[princessmommie78]

here in MN we private duty nurses make top pay... but crappy benefits.. i work for 2 different pediatric agencies and medical insurance at both places ran about $750/mo for family coverage with dental... needless to say we are uninsured.

[Blackcat99]

Yes. I'm still working at assisted living. All of the private duty nurse jobs here continue to have crummy insurance.

[Southernurse]

Originally Posted by princessmommie78

here in MN we private duty nurses make top pay... but crappy benefits.. i work for 2 different pediatric agencies and medical insurance at both places ran about $750/mo for family coverage with dental... needless to say we are uninsured.

Oh yes...I too make really decent money here in Tennessee ( I work in NC), but we are also uninsured. Something along the lines of $200.00 a week for just my husband and I. My kids have BCBS through Tennessee, but forget any coverage for us!

[ArwenEvenstar]

I'm curious... 2 of you have posted that you make "top pay"/ "really decent money" in the states of TN and MN (but have crappy benefits). Private duty nursing is not known, in general, for top pay, so I am really curious what you are making??

You definetly don't make top pay here in SC (for RN level cases atleast). I'm a RN. I initially made $19/hr but now make $20/hr at my current agency, and made $20/hour at my last agency. I have a close friend who does private duty through a different local agency, and she makes $18/hr. She's a RN also.

When I left the hospital 3 years now, I was making mid-30's an hour, so this was a significant pay cut. I took about a 40% pay cut in fact! So, compared to what I could be making, this pay is not good. However, I was so burned out I was toasty at the hospital, so I gladly took the paycut. Money is not everything, especially if you are about to have a nervous break down... So, I'm content with less pay for less stress!
Although private duty does have stressors, it is a different type of stress and nothing like the hospital!

Maybe the situation for LPN's is different...

[Blackcat99]

I'm in eastern WA and am an LPN. I work in assisted living and make $18 an hour with good insurance. The private duty houly wage here for LPN's is $13-14 an hour with crummy insurance.

[Southernurse]

Originally Posted by ArwenEvenstar

I'm curious... 2 of you have posted that you make "top pay"/ "really decent money" in the states of TN and MN (but have crappy benefits). Private duty nursing is not known, in general, for top pay, so I am really curious what you are making??

You definetly don't make top pay here in SC (for RN level cases atleast). I'm a RN. I initially made $19/hr but now make $20/hr at my current agency, and made $20/hour at my last agency. I have a close friend who does private duty through a different local agency, and she makes $18/hr. She's a RN also.

When I left the hospital 3 years now, I was making mid-30's an hour, so this was a significant pay cut. I took about a 40% pay cut in fact! So, compared to what I could be making, this pay is not good. However, I was so burned out I was toasty at the hospital, so I gladly took the paycut. Money is not everything, especially if you are about to have a nervous break down... So, I'm content with less pay for less stress!
Although private duty does have stressors, it is a different type of stress and nothing like the hospital!

Maybe the situation for LPN's is different...

Yeah it is different for us Low Paid Nurses. $20 an hour is actually really good for an LPN, which is what I make. Had I not blown my knee out at University of Tennessee while working I would have finished my RN bridge program (I had 5 months left, all clinical). Alas, I stay an LPN, an as such the wages are decent. Having to shell out 25-30% every week is not feasible.

Amen on the less pay/less stress comment! I am developing Obsessive-Compulsive disorder that started when I was working med-surg and COU with med pass!