New Grad RN program $15/hr

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

I recently passed my NCLEX and was given information about a new grad RN program that my hospital system has. It starts you out paying $15/hr (only $0.25 more an hour than I was making as a CNA at the same hospital system) and requires travel to a large metropolitan area to take these classes and do sim lab just like I did during nursing school. They won't cover the costs of mileage to and from the metropolitan hospital (it's 2 hours away from me). After completing the couple weeks of travel 2 hours one way I get placed in Med-surg, PCU, or Tele, or IMCU and have to sign a 2 year contract. If I leave before 2 years I owe them $10,000.00.

Right now this is the only job I'm being offered by this hospital system. Is this standard as to what is being offered new grads? I might have a position offered at another hospital, I need to contact them first though. I just don't see how this new grad RN program is at all beneficial to me or frankly anybody else! Has anybody done a program like this before? What were your experiences?

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Specializes in ER.

Does the pay increase at any point? That is a lot of investment included in a new grad, but the pay seems to be really low and the contract seems higher than most. I know the local new grad program used to start at 20 but then they upped it to 25 which is standard RN wage around here.

I mean our standard wage is around 23-25 dollars for new grads here. Even nursing homes pay around 20 bucks.

As of now, I am wary of signing any contracts. I have had a bad experience at my first job and now I am actively searching for another job. I am interviewing at a few spots though but my resume is attractive due to previous experience.

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I had a similar story.... I was offered a job making about 10/hr at an LTC for their residency program (3months) along with a 2yr contract while most new grads in the area make about $25-30/hr. I rejected that offer instantly, I wasn't going to overload myself with pt. care for a 10/hr residency. Luckily i was was offered a job with a hospital in the area shortly afterwards.

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I would say no, that is totally atypical. But what's the average RN pay where you live?

I remember getting one new grad offer that was for 12 dollars an hour. They wanted me to work there as a CNA and fill in as a nurse if they were ever short staffed. Not to be rude, but I definitely told them on the phone that they couldn't possibly be serious.

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.
Does the pay increase at any point? That is a lot of investment included in a new grad, but the pay seems to be really low and the contract seems higher than most. I know the local new grad program used to start at 20 but then they upped it to 25 which is standard RN wage around here.

I mean our standard wage is around 23-25 dollars for new grads here. Even nursing homes pay around 20 bucks.

As of now, I am wary of signing any contracts. I have had a bad experience at my first job and now I am actively searching for another job. I am interviewing at a few spots though but my resume is attractive due to previous experience.

I would eventually make $22/hr, but that's after 3 months of training making $15/hr. I was rejected for all other positions at this hospital and my current hospital can't offer me a position. I'm pretty upset about this, it was initially presented as this great learning opportunity, but I've already gone to nursing school! I know about sim labs! I don't know if I should take this new grad position or look at the other hospital system in the area (which has a terrible reputation).

I thought I would have had more opportunities. I was told before I graduated that there was a job waiting for me when I graduated, I didn't think it would be this.

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.
I would say no, that is totally atypical. But what's the average RN pay where you live?

I remember getting one new grad offer that was for 12 dollars an hour. They wanted me to work there as a CNA and fill in as a nurse if they were ever short staffed. Not to be rude, but I definitely told them on the phone that they couldn't possibly be serious.

Average is $21-23 for new grads.

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It's not forever. My take on first jobs after school is that it is like the TEAS, NLCEX and every other hoop you have to jump through. The first job is the hardest to get, so even if the pay sucks, commute sucks and the shift sucks, it's a job. After two years, you will have two years of experience on your resume and can go elsewhere.

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Specializes in ER.

It's tough. New grad jobs are tough to come by. A lot of people wait months to get one. However, I am wary of ever advising someone to sign a contract since in my case I am leaving my first job hopefully before the five month mark if I can get a 2nd job. Hopefully the 15 dollars an hour is just for classroom learning. If I had signed a contract like yours, I would be out 10,000. I'm personally glad I had waited before sending in my paperwork for the contract for tuition reimbursement. Personally, I made more as an ER paramedic.

I would think hard about it. Contracts scare me now given my first job and I have had an instructor who told me horror stories of her contract she signed working at a large hospital. We have similar personalities and now I am glad that I kept her story in the back of my head. I'd never sign one now unless I have worked somewhere for six months or more to ensure that I would want to stay.

However, a lot of people do like their first job. I know a lot of people who are satisfied with their job and not unhappy. Some of them are in residencies and others are at other facilities like long term care and one is even a nurse at an oil refinery. I am one of the few that is vocal about hating their job.

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Look at it this way since there are no other offer this will be three months improving your skills with a job at the end. Or it can be months and months of job searching.

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

I had interviewed with the alternative hospital system a month before I graduated and was told to contact after I got my license. I sent that hospital's nurse recruiter an email and see what they can offer me. If they can't offer me anything I'll take this position. I just find $15/hr to be insultingly low.

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I would say go for it because of the experience. There are so many graduates that are going by 8-9 months without a job. Look at the bright side, after three months you get paid over $5 more an hour. It is an opportunity in a hospital. Just do well and keep your head up. You will get to move up in no time soon and then you can be more selective.

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Whether you should say yes or no depends on a variety of factors:

Is $15/hr a living wage where you live?

Is this a "dream unit" for you? Or "dream hospital"?

If you do not take this job, can you afford to be without for 6-12 months until another job presents itself, or to move out of state if needed (worst case scenarios)?

Do you think this is a place you could work for 2 years without leaving? The high cost of the contract is a bad, scary sign. Assuming you make $22/hr when you start working, that adds up to about $39,600 a year...$10,000 is 25% of your salary. They are threatening to put you into poverty if you leave their job. Why?

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