Dream Job Offer - Horrible Pay Offer

[DaniLPN2RN]

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.

[MMayo]

Are you sure that you don't live in Austin Texas? anyways, i work at a profit LTAC hospital that over pays compared to the local market. here in

austin, nurses are stuck between two giant hospital systems that compete to no pay. Despite all the problems that my workplace has and no matter how disgruntled one can be at management, no one can afford to leave. i feel for you on the pay issue.

[paddlelady, BSN, RN]

Maybe you just need to rearrange your finances and do with the needs and no wants for awhile.

Heck , when I started as an RN I only made yes 3.05 an hour then went to 9.95 and then 15. It was only about 7 years ago that I was able to make a decent living. So I am use to working hard and being poor. Now that I am retired I an still broke.

Not everyone has the opportunity to take their dream job so I would go for it and then hopefully things will work out for you.

There may be other child care options.

Good luck

Paddlelady

[drmorton2b]

As a Student LPN. Hospitals are tough tough environments for an LPN career wise. My interest is in psych and geriatric. It is what interests me. Those are ideal environments for LPNs.

The hospital is a good way to learn things quickly. I would get the baylor LPN job at the hospital and try to (if time allows) do some Per Diem work on the side as an LPN.

It is a lot easier said then done going back to school to get an RN. The problem is with some schools is scheduling. The bridge program at my school is at night time. Starts at 3:30. 5 days a week and sometimes on Saturday.

How can one even work? So I am researching other options (excelsior, a couple of weekend programs).

Good Clinical Skills are what make good nurses. Working in the hospital will make you more confident (no offense to LTC nurses) in the hospital related skills as a future hospital RN.

I am referring to Long Term Care LPNs. Not Sub Acute or Rehab LPNs which see complex patients, some just as complex as hospitals.

[kcam213, BSN, RN]

Congratulations on your new job. I had to make a similar choice 16 years ago. I also took a big cut in pay to get hospital job. Because I did not want to get trapped in LTC. To be fair, it is trapped when it is not the focus of nursing that you are interested in. My cut in pay lasted maybe 4 or 5 years. I got used to the lower pay and worked agency when I need something extra like new car or vacation. Eventually with pay increases I was back to what I was making in LTC. Now mind you I am sure LTC had probably increased by leaps and bounds so I was still "behind" butthe trade off was worth it. I learned about disease process and management of diseases. Something you don't see the complete picture in LTC because a lot of disease process is camoflauged by chronic problems, dementia etc. In acute setting you can get a snap shot of meningitis or subdura hematoma etc. Do you begin to learn the "why" not just how to do. In addition I got tuition reimbursement that was a great trade off. I have received my RN and worked med surg, ICU, cardiac cath, EP lab. My oportunities broaden tremendously.

[DaniLPN2RN]

Thank you all for your kind words. I start orientation next week. I'm very excited ... nervous, but excited! I know my skills will grow and I will be able to continue to grow as a nurse.

I like my job in LTC, but it's just not where I want to be in the long run. It will be hard to leave as I've bonded with many residents and the staff. I plan to stay on PRN and do agency work as needed to make up the difference.

The benefits where I will work are excellent. I do not have benefits now in LTC. I will have tuition reimbursement that will start in 90 days ... so in the fall I will continue on my path to an RN ... and then to ARNP or CRNA (not sure what I want later on).

Thank you again everyone. I am so excited about the opportunity ... Plus, one benefit that doesn't pay financially is that I will have every other weekend off. I have worked every weekend for a year now. My husband and I have no time together at all. This will be a priceless benefit of my new FT job!!!!

[kcam213, BSN, RN]

Not having every other w/e off would have made this decision even that much easier not to mention the lousy benefits. I forgot about that. Good luck and remember that every nursing experience is valuable.

You don't see it now but you will one day see how your year of LTC gives you experience edge over a nurse of same work experience but worked soley in hospital.

I was very experienced in placing SP foleys, NG tubes, and time management and assessments. I worked with LPN who never worked outside hospitals and never placed a SP or NG tube before.

You will be surprised at how hospitals will not utilize the LPN fully. (now they don't even allow LPN to assess pts). But use that as your incentive to go back to RN school.

[DaniLPN2RN]

Not having every other w/e off would have made this decision even that much easier not to mention the lousy benefits. I forgot about that. Good luck and remember that every nursing experience is valuable.

You don't see it now but you will one day see how your year of LTC gives you experience edge over a nurse of same work experience but worked soley in hospital.

I was very experienced in placing SP foleys, NG tubes, and time management and assessments. I worked with LPN who never worked outside hospitals and never placed a SP or NG tube before.

You will be surprised at how hospitals will not utilize the LPN fully. (now they don't even allow LPN to assess pts). But use that as your incentive to go back to RN school.

I am already appreciative of what I have learned in my LTC facility. I've only been able to insert 2 IVs, but I've dealt with numerous GTubes, wound care, and learned amazing time management and organization skills ... to me that is priceless. I've only been able to do one foley, one SP foley, and that's about it ... however, I've learned about medications, lab values, etc. I really have learned a lot ... I'm not leaving LTC because I never get to do anything ... I'm leaving because in the long run I have different goals. LTC isn't in my long term goals. I'll never discount anything I learned in LTC ... and just let someone try to tell me how easy a "nursing home job" is ... I'll always be proud to have worked in LTC. I just have higher aspirations than to be an LPN. Eventually I'd llike to be a NP or CRNA ... not sure yet where life will lead me. I just wish I would have started this road when I was younger. I always knew nursing was where I was meant to be; however, the road to get here was a bumpy one ... it's not smooth sailing yet, but it's getting there!!!!