I'm at a loss. I finally got the job at the hospital I've wanted since I became a nurse. I have my year of nursing experience and they called yesterday to offer me a job. The pay rate is so low, I can't afford to take the job. I can afford everything except child care. But as an LPN, it's so hard to get into the hospitals ... let alone the job you really really want; how do I turn that down?!?! This job would be an excellent step in the right direction for my career. It makes sense in all ways, except the pay.
I want to try and negotiate the rate. How flexible are hospitals with the payrate in the Tampa area. I realize hospitals do not pay as much as nursing homes. I didn't expect to make what I make now since I have a Baylor position. Right now, I do not have child care expenses. There will be at minimum 2 certifications I will need to get shortly after starting to be effective in my position. Do hospitals typically pay more once you get certifications? Do hospitals agree to pay a higher hourly rate if you agree to work for them for a certain period of time (for example signing a 2 year contract or something similar)? What negotiating room do I have to get the hourly rate increased? Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly apprecaited. I really want this job opportunity, but have no idea how to get it done and still have money left over each month.
I was also considering LTAC (offered a job a few weeks ago) but decided to go back to school instead. There is no way that I can work FT and go to school.
What certifications will you be getting? Also, what is the nurse to patient ratio at the LTAC you will be working in?
Again, congratulations on the job...I'm sure you will love it!!
I had a clinical at a local LTAC and really enjoyed it. I'd love to get into critical care and feel this is a good starting point. I do plan to go back to school as well, but needed tuition reimbursement to make it a much easier process for me.
The nurse to pt ratio is 1:6. Which is much better than the 1:30 I now have. I realize that the LTAC pts have a greater chance of having problems, crashing, etc; but, I'm SO EXCITED!
Specializes in med surg, geriatric, clinical, pool.
As an LPN myself, my 1st job was in a hospital. I will admit it gave lots of experience I would have never otherwise have learned, but I also got fired from that job after only a year! I think it was a set-up and I have other nurses opinion to prove...but that is history.
So I decided to try agency work. Like you say the pay is higher and you do work in mostly TLCs, but I finally got to try what was called a FE2 Unit. It was at a nursing home, but the FE2 unit was a subacute type floor. I learned so much working there only after a years time. I even was promoted to the desk nurse which took on the floor's entire pt load by answering the phone, calling in test results to doctor's office, faxing new orders to the pharmacy, calling the ambulance, codes, transfering new doctor's order to the MAR, making out work schedules, I did so much more too....isolation, trach care, I got my cert for IVs and changing the dressing on ports, admitting pts, which was like writing a book.
Don't let anyone ever tell you that you will lose your nursing skills by working in a TLC! I learned so much and had so much responsibility that I told my boss I wanted to go back to being a floor nurse.
Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.
I am glad you have taken the position and wish you all the best!!
HOWEVER...as a LTC RN BY CHOICE .. not by TRAPPED, I don't understand the "trapped in LTC" comments...... sorry. LTC needs dedicated, qualified, educated and caring nurses as much if not MORE than hospitals.(I have 15 yrs hospital experience). I just am having a hard time with the concept of being trapped in LTC...sorry.......
I am glad you have taken the position and wish you all the best!!
HOWEVER...as a LTC RN BY CHOICE .. not by TRAPPED, I don't understand the "trapped in LTC" comments...... sorry. LTC needs dedicated, qualified, educated and caring nurses as much if not MORE than hospitals.(I have 15 yrs hospital experience). I just am having a hard time with the concept of being trapped in LTC...sorry.......
By "trapped" simply meaning that as a new nurse I will not be able to learn or use skills learned in school. I have hopes of getting into Pediatric critical care at some point. So, in my case, LTC is not a great stepping stone. I have learned a lot and while it is not my field of choice, I am a dedicated caring nurse. I take much better care of my residents than many nurses do. It is clear, just in my 2 days a week, that most nurses working at my facility don't care half as much for my residents as I do!!! "Trapped" is not meant to offend; however, when trying to make a move from LTC to Hospital as an LPN it is a difficult transition as LTC skills are much different than acute care skills.
lexuan
30 Posts
Congratulations on the new job!!!
I was also considering LTAC (offered a job a few weeks ago) but decided to go back to school instead. There is no way that I can work FT and go to school.
What certifications will you be getting? Also, what is the nurse to patient ratio at the LTAC you will be working in?
Again, congratulations on the job...I'm sure you will love it!!