California RN's, new grad starting pay in outpatient surgery centers?

U.S.A. California

Published

Hi Everyone,

I would love any advice and feedback on this topic. I am a new grad RN and just got my license a few months ago. I've been unsuccessful in finding my dream hospital job but have managed to find a position in outpatient care. I have been working at an outpatient surgery center in the Bay Area for a few weeks now doing a "working interview." The manager of the center told me today that I'm doing well and that she is going to do some research this weekend about how much new grad RNs start out making in an outpatient surgery center setting. She would like me to look into it as well (hence, this post :). Of course, I know the pay would not be as much as inpatient, hospital jobs. But I would like to know some rough numbers as to where to start negotiating. I am not too sure what to bring to the table since I don't know much about outpatient centers. They are training me to circulate in the OR, do pre op, and post op/pacu as well. So i'm getting a little taste of everything which is great. I know I should be grateful to have possibly found a full time position getting some kind of nursing experience. Believe me I am.. The pay is not that important to me but I do want to feel like I am being paid fairly. After all, I did work hard to get my BSN and RN license (not to mention I'm in a ton of debt from school loans!). I was just hoping some of you could share any insight as to what I should be earning. Even if you don't know what the outpatient setting pay is, perhaps you can share what you make in the hospital setting. I can go from there by deducting several dollars an hour. Please let me know any info or advice you may have! I would really appreciate it. Thanks guys! :)

- Gloria

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I work in the Bay area, too, but not in a surgi-center. However, as I'm sure you know, Kaiser pays very well. If you have any contacts who work in outpatient surgery at Kaiser, that would give you a good figure to work with.

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Specializes in Operating Room and Telemetry.

In the South Bay Area, new grad friend just started (eye surgery) at $37/hr.

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I am also a new grad in the Bay area. I work in a cinic in Oakland. It is an on call position. We have a triage. I take calls as well as walk ins. The pay is close to $36. I was told they would pay me slighty less if it was a full time position as they would give me benefits.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I think mid to high 30's an hour is the range you are going to hit with benefits. I have a friend working an ortho clinic and she makes 40/hr but she had several years of LVN experience they took into consideration.

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I work for an outpatient sc in the Bay Area. For a benefitted position, starting pay is $38/hour for 0-4 years experience. It's a little higher for a per diem rate (not sure what that is). Depending on your degrees, years of experience, etc - the rate will go up. I'm a 2nd career nurse, and my 2 degrees and years of experience in my previous field counted, so my rate was higher.

Good luck!

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Hey iluvmusak-

I got your message but it seems I can't replay you until I have at least 15 topics so I guess I reply your message here...sorry gdmartinez0903

To answer your questions, yes I am a new grad. Only have 2 months experience in LTC. According to DON, they do mainly for weight loss: laparoscopic gastric banding.

As for pay, your pay is way more than I will get pay. They said they will increase the pay once I finished w/ the 6 weeks training and passed the test (hopefully big raise:)) Hopefully I get good training and experience for the pay cut.

Good luck w/ your search!

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