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?
Please don't knock LTC. We have enough problems with the general public & other healthcare professionals. We don't need to get bashed by our own peers.
It hurts.
LTC is a part of the total healthcare industry continuum. We struggle like everyone else.
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.
Hold the phone ... did no one else catch this?
OP -- you cannot begin to do the analysis necessary to make this decision without that GIANT piece of information.
Go to the second interview, aka shadowing day. Observe. Ask lots of questions:
What procedures are done?
Is this a board-certified plastic surgeon?
The statement about being the only one in the OR needs clarification. Logically, there should be a surgeon performing the procedure, someone to assist (I'm assuming that's you), and an anesthesia provider.
If these are procedures that are performed under moderate/conscious sedation and so no anesthesia provider is present - are you comfortable with monitoring sedated patients? Confident in your ability to manage complications? Are you clear on what sedation drugs can be administered by an RN in your state?
What is the emergency plan if there are cardiac or respiratory complications? Is this surgeon able to intubate and is that equipment readily available?
If you are the only licensed nurse - understand that that means you will be responsible for preop prep, intraop care, and postop care. Since a patient's postop recovery time can be unpredictable - is only one patient scheduled per day? (unlikely - but hopefully this prompts you to think through what you may be responsible for and the risks involved so that you can use this in your decision-making)
DO NOT rely on internet replies on what others pay for health insurance. Go to your state's website and research this yourself based on YOUR OWN personal information. Compare a few different options. If you're a young non-smoker without chronic medical conditions it may well be a wise choice to choose a high deductible plan for the lower premium, but keep in mind that the cost of care for even a one-time freak injury like a slip & fall with extremity fracture can easily be in the 5-figure range. Only you know what financial risk is acceptable to you.
Carefully research rent and utility costs - use real estate sites to search for properties within a radius of where this possible job is. Maximize your use of mapping and city info sites. Take a day and drive there yourself, to look around. Use any of the widely available financial calculators on line to get an idea of what you can afford, once you know what your proposed income will be. The general recommendation is that rent/mortgage equal no more than 1/4 of gross income. 1/3 of gross income may be more realistic in some extremely expensive housing markets, but if your rent is eating up any more than that - you are putting yourself on a likely path to financial trouble. Things happen in life - your car WILL break down, you WILL miss work now & then for unpredictable happenings in life, etc.
Tread carefully. Your first year as a nurse in virtually any job in any setting is a steep learning curve. Set yourself up for success, not unnecessary grief.
richardgecko
151 Posts
CAREER!!
sorry for yelling at you. I heard my 18 year old self in that post.