advice on salary (homecare for a friend)

[jakira]

My friends mom was recently diagnosed with late stage colon cancer that has metstasized (I don't know to where). I live in CA and the mom lives in NY. I am a new grad nurse (RN) and have not yet found employment. My friend called to ask if he could fly me to NY for a week to give his sister a break and so that his mom has nursing care. Money is no object for the family and he said he would be happy to pay me "whatever is equitable". I have no idea what to ask for! At this point I don't think there is too much skilled nursing involved...probably just helping to the bathroom, making sure meds are taken on time, watching for worsening symptoms, and cooking/cleaning/running errands. I believe he is going to ask to fly me out again in a few weeks when she has the tumor removed an an ostomy placed/starts chemo (not sure which route the family is going to take yet, the mom currently has a stent in her bowls that is extremely uncomfortable and she requested it be removed before chemo is started [bad idea IMO with 4 week healing time before chemo can be started!]). If anyone could give me any advice on how much I should ask for it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[caliotter3]

Well, you are an RN and you describe what may be pretty basic care. Some people are willing to pay a premium to have an RN care for them at home rather than a home health aide or someone that isn't trained. You have to consider that they are friends, you will be taking on the professional liabilities of being an RN, (get malpractice insurance), the care is more custodial than "RN" intensive. RN's who work in home care on a long term basis usually get from $25 to $30 or even $35 an hour as a minimum when they are paid by agencies and the case is funded by an insurance company. You could bring it down to $20 an hour and not be cutting yourself short. You know that if you are in the home, even if you are not officially 'on duty', you will be required to respond if she needs you. There are lots of things to consider, so you should talk it over carefully with the prospective clients before you make a decision.