New Grad RN...$19/hour in home health. Is this offer too low?

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Hey all! I'm a new grad RN. I have about a year's experience in home health as an STNA but no other healthcare experience (aside from clinical rotations, obviously). I have an interview this week for a home health RN job. Starting pay is $19/hour plus milage reimbursement, and I'm not sure that they even offer medical benefits for part time employees. I'm in central Ohio & I know starting pay for a staff RN in area hospitals is around $23-25, depending on the facility. With such a saturated job market, being a new grad and having pretty limited healthcare experience I know I cannot afford to be too picky, but I don't want to sell myself short either. Is $19/hr too low? Should I ask for more, and if so how?

Thanks!

Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

Negotiating pay can be hit or miss. Even so, I've never found it to hear to negotiate as long as you know when to leave it go (i.e. don't be like the dog and the meaty bone hanging on for dear life).

I usually start any wage / benefit discussions towards the end of any interview; by that time, I usually know if I want the job, & have at least an idea if they might want me.

I would first start off asking about benefits, which should never be underestimated for their value.

What I would do in your shoes when you get to the time to discuss wages mention to them that the going rate for RN's is $23 to $25; and see what is their counter.

If they counter that their offer is $19 because you have no experience, then (if you feel there's at least a 50% chance that want you; and you do want them) ask them if they would go for $22. They may stick to $19, they may drop to $19.xx to $21.

Then ask how often are you reviewed (it could be as frequently as every 3 months or as infrequent as annually) for performance; and how they handle raises.

Plus side will be getting the experience, being in your field, and learning ropes they don't teach you in school.

Thank you.

Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.

In Michigan, an experienced home care nurse is making about $ 28-31 per hour, so $19 sounds really low, even for a new grad.

Most important would be your clinical training. What kind of training will you get? That is what's scary about NGs and HH or hospice. Do you know what to look for in a trauma or heart, etc. just getting home from the hospital? Ish. So many HH or Hospice being run from "some dude's" basement these days. The good ones won't take you without hospital experience. Check out the owners and what kind of clinical infrastructure that company has.

I accepted the job. They are a national company and I will be with another RN for the first few weeks. I will also have an on call RN I can contact if I need help so I think I will be ok as far as training goes.

Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Congratulations; and it is good to read/hear you will have a mentor to start.

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