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?
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
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?
Most nursing homes in southern California are demanding a minimum of one year of experience right now due to the glutted job market.
Have you submitted applications at nursing homes lately? Any callbacks? I didn't think so.
As far as the malpractice insurance goes I've never worked anywhere that included that, it's always been the employee's responsibility, and no employer protects your license for you, that's always the nurse's own responsibility.
Specializes in ADON at LTC, Previous PCU, Ortho etc....
Why are you so worried about being sued? People sue for money and nurses do not have a lot of money so why would someone spend money on lawyers, court fees etc if there is nothing to gain? Companies and doctors are the ones that will be sued....
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.
.
I think the reason I am scared is because I did ask, but there is no room for growth in the future. They do and will not offer benefits and although they did not discuss my salary I don't think it is very competitive, so moving to a big city I think I would be struggling as well. Also because working full time days, if another opportunity did arise and one that included benefits and a 401k, I wouldn't be able to pursue it due to work.
Why are you so worried about being sued? People sue for money and nurses do not have a lot of money so why would someone spend money on lawyers, court fees etc if there is nothing to gain? Companies and doctors are the ones that will be sued....
It's not that I'm worried I'd be sued for money, it's that I'm worried if they did sue, and if I did make an error, I could lose my license. The dr told me after training, I would be on my own. So it would just be me in the OR.
As far as the malpractice insurance goes I've never worked anywhere that included that, it's always been the employee's responsibility, and no employer protects your license for you, that's always the nurse's own responsibility.
THIS.
In all my years as a nurse, I have ALWAYS ALWAYS, and I do mean ALWAYS carried my own malpractice insurance; no employer done that for me.
I have also had private insurance, which in some (not all) instances was much more beneficial for me.
Take the job, keep looking? Get experience, get your own malpractice and health insurance; it's tax deductible.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
It's not that I'm worried I'd be sued for money, it's that I'm worried if they did sue, and if I did make an error, I could lose my license. The dr told me after training, I would be on my own. So it would just be me in the OR.
Physicians are more likely to be sued, which is why their malpractice insurance premiums are in the five-figures. The amount we way in premiums is related to our risk of getting sued personally.
Most nursing homes in southern California are demanding a minimum of one year of experience right now due to the glutted job market.
Have you submitted applications at nursing homes lately? Any callbacks? I didn't think so.
That's the thing, I don't live in Southern California. I live in the Central Valley where cost of living is cheap and to work in a nursing home you don't need experience. But no, I haven't even applied to any nursing homes because all I wanted was a job in the hospital. Only reason I'm even thinking of nursing homes now is because if I'm going to work for a place that isn't a hospital, I'd want benefits.
And what scares me the most is being that its in Beverly Hills, with credit card, car, rent, utitilities, food, and paying for my bachelors, I'd be struggling to take care of myself.
I don't know the rates in California, but I pay about $75 a year for .5 million in professional liability, and $80 a month for excellent health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. In fact, when I worked for the government, I was paying $400 per month out of my pay for health insurance. You would likely get a better deal on your own through the Marketplace than you would were the surgical center offering a group plan.
As for taking the job? A bird in hand beats two in the bush.
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?
Ok you mean health insurance, I read it it as medical Liability Insurance. Taking a random half day is different to calling in sick 6 days a month.
If that is all take the job, you can always resign when something better comes along.
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
Have you submitted applications at nursing homes lately? Any callbacks? I didn't think so.