I got my first job!!! But I am worried...

Specialties Home Health

Published

Hi everyone. I am a new nursing grad, and I feel very lucky to be accepted for a job at a home healthcare company only days after passing NCLEX. The company is located in Southern California and it has won the Healthcare Elite Top Agency award.

While I can see myself working there, I feel like I don't have enough information to make the two year commitment they wanted.

The 1st 3 months, I will be paid $30,000 a year. Then if things go well, the 4th month onwards, the pay increases to $40,000 a year.

I would really appreciate any comment anyone has about my situation. Furthermore, what questions should I ask the company before I make the commitment?

Thanks in advance for any responses!

Lina

Specializes in ER, progressive care.

That seems VERY low for a full-time position, especially in California.

Specializes in ER, Trauma, Med-Surg/Tele, LTC.

I make about that as an LVN in the Los Angeles area with only 2 years experience, but still made that as a new grad. According to my W-2's I made $32k last year, and even worked only part time starting July. So that definitely seems really low for an RN full time.

Firstly, I'm not sure that home health nursing should be your first job out of school. Not much experience to work from but not to worry. It's not as though you'll be working in a vacuum. Help is a phone call away. Never forget that.

Secondly, that pay is ridiculously low! Even with no experience, especially in CA, you should be making at least 60k.

Thirdly, be prepared for long days and LOADS of paperwork.

Fourthly, I hope you love teaching. Lots of teaching. I love it.

Lastly, be ready to fall head over heels in love with your patients making all the hours and paperwork worth it. :)

All the best to you!

Specializes in Home health.
Firstly, I'm not sure that home health nursing should be your first job out of school. Not much experience to work from but not to worry. It's not as though you'll be working in a vacuum. Help is a phone call away. Never forget that.

Secondly, that pay is ridiculously low! Even with no experience, especially in CA, you should be making at least 60k.

Thirdly, be prepared for long days and LOADS of paperwork.

Fourthly, I hope you love teaching. Lots of teaching. I love it.

Lastly, be ready to fall head over heels in love with your patients making all the hours and paperwork worth it. :)

All the best to you!

I wish I could get a job some place else, but these days in CA it's next to impossible! And I needed income :-) I do agree that experience would be a good thing to have for home health. Unfortunately, so far home health seems to be the only specialty that is willing to hire new grads.

I wish I could get a job some place else, but these days in CA it's next to impossible! And I needed income :-) I do agree that experience would be a good thing to have for home health. Unfortunately, so far home health seems to be the only specialty that is willing to hire new grads.

Hey, I understand that! We do what we have to do, right. You'll be just fine.

Specializes in Home health.

Hey, I understand that! We do what we have to do, right. You'll be just fine.

Thanks! :-) I am a bit nervous going out on my own, but my employer seems very nice and willing to train and prepare me for whatever the cases might have.

Yea I meant health, dental, vision. Those would fall under benefits. Some employers cover 50% some do 100%. My employer doesn't offer that at all saying that it balances out since she pays more per visit than other agencies. And also, I don't know if you already have your malpractice insurance. My agency requires it and either way it's a good idea to have it.

I see. Yeah, I will ask this question for sure. Thank you!

That seems VERY low for a full-time position, especially in California.

Thank you! :)

I make about that as an LVN in the Los Angeles area with only 2 years experience, but still made that as a new grad. According to my W-2's I made $32k last year, and even worked only part time starting July. So that definitely seems really low for an RN full time.

Thank you!:)

Firstly, I'm not sure that home health nursing should be your first job out of school. Not much experience to work from but not to worry. It's not as though you'll be working in a vacuum. Help is a phone call away. Never forget that.

Secondly, that pay is ridiculously low! Even with no experience, especially in CA, you should be making at least 60k.

Thirdly, be prepared for long days and LOADS of paperwork.

Fourthly, I hope you love teaching. Lots of teaching. I love it.

Lastly, be ready to fall head over heels in love with your patients making all the hours and paperwork worth it. :)

All the best to you!

Wow, lots of valuable information. Thank you!:)

Thanks! :-) I am a bit nervous going out on my own, but my employer seems very nice and willing to train and prepare me for whatever the cases might have.

I am nervous too! But I am sure you will be fine after a few months.

Specializes in Trauma | Surgical ICU.

Will they be training you?

What will the job entail?

I honestly don't think it's a good idea for a new grad (without prior experience) to be doing home health nursing. Whether or not you are assessing, changing wound dressings, administering IV antibiotics or administering insulin shots, these are easy tasks but requires a nurse's instincts.

If they are not training you, my best advice to give you is to make sure you have a good reference and . These can save your behind.

Second, read all the policies and procedures things like who are you going to call, what are your orders... things like that.

Finally, don't sell yourself short. No matter how much you are getting paid, they are working your license. They will get paid with the same money whether or not they hire you as a new grad or not. You are risking your license and your agency is reeking the benefits. You cannot argue to the court later on that you were a new grad when you did those things. The people you are servicing assumes you know it already thus you should be paid appropriately.

+ Add a Comment