Am I being low-balled on pay?

U.S.A. California

Published

I got a job offer in Southern California at a flu-shot clinic for $17/hr. Granted, it's an easy job but I can't help but feel a little disrespected... To be fair, it is my first actual health-care job.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Is it for a national immunization company?

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No, I believe its a fairly small company. I don't think they even have their own website.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

Oh wait, wages and benefits are going to be a shocker too.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Are you a contract employee?

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Yes, I'm on contract.

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That's not a great wage for southern CA, but if you've selected it as your first nursing job, I'm guessing it's because you couldn't find anything better. I'm also guessing the business could easily replace you for with another new grad who would be happy to have ANY job.

At least you'll have something nursing-related to put on your resume ...and maybe you'll even get to network a bit.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP.

It sounds like LVN starting pay, but I would just take it for experience if you have no other offers. I'm from SoCal and it sounds rather low.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

I'm in SC and that sounds way too low. Trust me, we are not known for high wages :(

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Specializes in LTC/SNF.

Yes...I make $18/hr as an LPN in poverty-stricken New Mexico...granted it doesn't take all that much skill/education to give injections and it is paid healthcare experience with an opportunity to network. If it is your only job prospect right now, take it despite the low ball, or another new grad will.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

For a LVN, it sounds in the ballpark, albeit at the edge of the park.

For a RN, it's low.

Then again, it is a flu clinic as opposed to institutional or acute care. And you are also a new grad with no RN experience, so unless you were a prior LVN, you don't bring a lot to the table to negotiate with.

Whether you should take it is up to you. Keep in mind that it is nursing experience and a paycheck...and no one says you can't keep looking for something better in the meantime. And IMO better to have some nursing experience on the resume than to become an old new grad, which is a fate even worse than being a new grad.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

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That's what the market will bear and I'm sure they have no difficulty getting people to take the jobs.

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