Salary for Southeast region and interview question

Specialties Occupational

Published

All the threads for salary seem old on here so I would like to know if anyone is willing to share a general salary range for a plant/factory nurse in the southeast?

Also, I had a phone interview and the in-person interview is coming up - I was told to allow 3 HOURS for this interview as I would meet w/several people and tour the facility.

I was told in the phone interview that the position is 8 hrs M-F, no weekends/holidays but call is expected (they would provide the phone). It doesn't sound like there is another RN there but other techs. The position is also salaried but the person I phone interviewed with did not mention the general range.

I don't want to waste their time or mine if it's really low which it sounds like from posts on here and other sites it may be...I did receive paperwork via email to complete before my in-person interview and I did respond asking if they could give me a general idea of salary.

Any guidance here would be appreciated.

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Specializes in Occupational Health/Legal Nurse Consulting.

The average salary in my area (Indiana) for an Occ Health RN is 67,000. This is above average RN wages here. My understanding is Occ Health generally is paying better on the east coast. This field is very rewarding. I would say if they offer you something around this number, take a crack at it.

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Specializes in Occupational health, Corrections, PACU.

How did the interview turn out? From my experience being salaried and on call ALL the time, it sucked not having my time as real "off time". Especially if you have a situation where if you are called, you have to go in and accompany them to the ER or doctor's office. Even if you don't have to go in, you usually have to drop everything you are doing and triage, take some notes, advise immediate care if first aid, possibly set up a follow up, etc.....all on your days "off". And you cannot really go have cocktails with friends too easily (if you are younger and still have an active social life) if you have to be ready to be "on duty" at any moment. Think hard about whether you really want to give up your rights to your time away from work. What did you decide after meeting them, and was the salary appropriate for what they wanted?

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The interview was changed actually to next week as one of the people had to take emergency leave. I did ask the HR person about call and salary. He said that is discussed more in detail in the interview but basically it's somewhere in the mid-50's to mid-60's and that call is required but after hour calls are "rare" - I intend to ask more of course. I'm interested because it would be something new & close to home & 8 hr work day would be nice. It's not a huge plant but it's large enough I wouldn't have to worry about them closing etc. I'll post more once I meet w/them next week.

I appreciate everyone's view point for sure.

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I declined the offer - after the 2nd interview - the salary is way too low for what the expectations for the position are (50K for FT M-F including call every night and every weekend)..I understand more clearly why the position has been open for months. They are either going to have to find a nurse that doesn't really need the income or a new grad desperate for a job. It's a shame because I think overall it wouldn't be a bad job/place to work.

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Specializes in Occupational Health/Legal Nurse Consulting.

Sounds like they need a very good LPN ;)

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Specializes in Occupational health, Corrections, PACU.

EXACTLY.....and that is usually what they end up getting....

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Specializes in Occupational health, Corrections, PACU.

GOOD decision! Some companies want everything for nothing pay-wise. They view nurses as just part of the hired help, and if they offer a very low salary, then they normally do not treat you as the professional employee that you are. Steer clear of those industries. If you are truly interested in Occupational Health in the future and want to pursue that, then monitor the job boards but ALSO get some certifications that you will need to do that job. It is pay out of your pocket, but it can be deducted as continuing education. Certification in DOT drug screening and Breath Alcohol Technician is one, CAOHC and NIOSH respirator fit testing and pulmonary function testing are others.

That way when there is an opening you can walk in with credentials. Good luck in the future.

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