first nursing job offer but no benefits?

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Hello everyone,

I'm a new grad nurse, graduated with my ADN (am currently taking courses for my BSN) and have been looking for jobs for approximately 1 month. I applied for a job at a plastic surgeons office, interviewed, and got offered a second interview to shadow for a full days work (basically stating I got the job).

Here's my problem. I would be working a full time 9-5 job with no benefits and if something were to happen (this is Los Angeles, people are sue happy) the job doesn't protect me or my license. In order to protect myself I would be having to invest in liability coverage and medical insurance which is quite expensive. I also would have to move to LA where cost of living is much more and the pay being offered is not as great as I would have liked, so I know I would be stuck counting pennies especially with all other expenses.

Being a a new grad and only having an ADN the experience would be amazing. I would be not only doing procedures I would be helping in the OR and pre and post op gaining experience. But also working for this job, I know if other opportunities were to arise I wouldn't be able to pursue them because I would be working during normal business hours and wouldn't be able to interview.

I'm really confused on what to do, I never realized how important benefits were, but at the same time the experience is great. I don't know if I should turn the position down and just look for a job in a nursing home instead where the pay is equal if not more plus benefits until I am able to find a position in the hospital, but who knows how long that will be?

Any suggestions would help, I'm so confused!!

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Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

Why do you as a nurse need medical insurance?

You will accrue time off, also you can negotiate with your boss to come in late that day and stay later or leave early.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Take the job. No position is perfect, but new grad nurse unemployment in California is staggeringly high at 43 percent. In addition, you live in a BSN-preferred city, so you are fortunate to receive this offer as a new grad RN with an associate degree.

You might not receive another job offer in more than one year if you reject the one you already have. So accept the job offer and use it as a stepping stone to accrue experience and to keep from becoming a stale 'old' new grad.

I had to accept a job with no health coverage or as a new nurse, but I knew I couldn't be too picky.

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Well I need medical insurance in general, and paying for a plan without benefits tends to be costly.

And they told me up front they need someone who will commit and not take time off since they're so busy. I would be the only RN working in the facility so taking time off would be a hassle.

What would you do?

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Thanks for the reply. I think what's really going through my head now is would I rather here and have to move, etc, and not get benefits or get a job at a nursing home til I am able to find something and stay at home, save money, and get benefits? Do you see why this is so hard?

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You can apply for Obamacare, and malpractice ins is cheap for nurses.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I'm curious, without going into the benefits and insurance nonsense - which I as a UK nurse find deplorable. Why, as a new graduate, would you be the only RN?

I would be asking why there is no one else if they are "so busy".

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Come to Texas

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
What would you do?

I would take the job until something better comes along. There are nurses in your city of residence who have been licensed since 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 who still have not yet found employment.

Accepting the position in the plastic surgeon's office: RN Pay + RN Experience

Holding out for another offer that might not happen: Zero Pay + Zero Experience

However, it seems you potentially have your mind made up. If you reject this offer, there's 1000+ new nurses in your metro area who would accept the position regardless of the noncompetitive pay, lack of and no health coverage.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

You still basically pay for benefits even when you get them, it's part of your pay. Where I work there's rush to snag jobs such as prn specifically because it has no benefits such as health insurance which takes typically about $1000 out of our paychecks every month. By not being offered health insurance nurses can get similar coverage for much cheaper on their own, so I wouldn't necessarily assume you're worse off because it doesn't include health insurance.

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You need to do the math.

What is the cost of ?( pretty sure you employer has you covered for their own sweet tookas).

If you need health insurance, research the cost through the marketplace.

This could be a good learning experience, but obviously you will not be appreciated by the physician's practice.

I say go for it. Keep looking, it could take a long time to get an interview.

When that happy day comes, call in if you have to.

LTC is NOT the way to go.

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Specializes in Oncology (OCN).

Is aesthetics something you are interested in? If so, this is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door.

I agree with TheCommuter. Jobs for new grads are hard to come by, especially in California. And with the push to hire BSNs only, you really cannot afford to turn this down.

Have you asked if benefits/salary increases are an option down the line? While it may be a financial burden to carry your own insurance right now, if they are willing to consider covering you in the future then it would be worth the sacrifice now.

As far as the job not protecting you or your license, every nurse should carry their own professional .

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