New grad per diem job offer - am I being ripped off?

meganec17 · May 28, 2018

Is this for RN or LVN and which state?

This is for an RN position in New Hampshire.

Have Nurse, ADN, RN · May 28, 2018

You can do better. Keep looking.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 28, 2018

Hello! I'm a new grad nurse, haven't yet taken the NCLEX.
I recently interviewed and was offered a position on a med/surg unit. It is only per diem (they can't guarantee hours but say I will probably get quite a bit) and have a designated new grad program.
However, I know that per diem employees usually are paid more, as they are not guaranteed hours and do not receive benefits. This is not the case - starting pay is $24/hr as a graduate nurse and bumps up to $26/hr once I pass the NCLEX. This is the same for full time and part time employees. I do not accrue PTO, sick time, insurance, etc. insurance is not an issue at this time, though.
I'm pretty tempted to pass on this opportunity. I don't live in a crazy saturated market, but don't have any other active offers (some interest though). I hate to shoot myself in the foot, but also don't want to settle just for the sake of a job. I am at a point of my life where I am not in need of a job immediately (live at home). It also isn't my ideal hospital or preferred speciality.
Thoughts on this offer?
Thanks!

Not every per-diem job pays more than the FT/PT employees get. They frequently do,but not always. Depending on the supply and demand in the local job market, they may find that they can get away with not paying a higher hourly rate. So what you describe is not unheard of, nor is it considered ripping you off. You are told up front what the rate is and how it compares to FT/PT rate...and they're not forcing you to take the job. You are free to shop around elsewhere.

Now let's address the New Grad elephant in the room.

1. As a new grad, you don't exactly have a lot of power when it comes to negotiating hourly rates. Not saying you should suck it up and take this job if you're not happy with the pay, but you may or may not find better rates. Depends on your area's job market.

2. As a new grad, the longer you go without that first job, the worse off you're going to be. After a year you're an old new grad, which makes it even harder to get hired because now you're no longer eligible for many new grad programs/positions. For those other jobs that you could qualify for, not only are you competing against experienced nurses, you're also competing against fresher new grads. It's a tough hole to get out of.

3. As a new grad, per-diem is not the preferred way to go. It's great that they have a new grad program, and I would presume that you would be in this program if you accepted this position. But new grads needs stability for their first year. They need consistent hours and consistent locations, not working a few days a month and floating all over the place. Per-diem does not guarantee hours: you could work 40 hours one week and not work a single hour over the next 3 weeks. Also, per-diems are usually the first ones floated. They're also the first ones cancelled or flexed off.

It's hard enough as it is to master the basics in your first year as a nurse, without having to worry about whether you'll get enough hours or if you're going to be working an unfamiliar/disliked unit.

That being said, my first job as a new grad was per-diem in a decent sized psych hospital. And yes, my per-diem rate was the same as the going rate for a new FT/PT employee. No new grad program: a week of hire training, a month of orientation and that was all. But between their being frequently short-staffed and my willingness to start off on evening shift as well as work every weekend, I was able to rack up 32-40 hours a week most weeks of my first year. So while it's possible to work as a new grad per-diem and succeed, I can't guarantee you'll have the same luck as I did.

Anyway...

If it were me, what I would do is take this per-diem job, go through their new grad program, start working and gaining RN experience. You made it clear that you don't need the job immediately, benefits aren't an issue, and your financial situation is somewhat OK that you don't need to make bank. Meanwhile, start looking for the job that suits you more, whether it's an internal transfer or elsewhere. When the better job is found and you're get hired, then quit this job, or keep it and scale your availability to the minimum required.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 28, 2018

Thanks, I appreciate the reply. Unfortunately, HR said that they need an answer by tomorrow.

Remember that unless you're signing a contract where you're committing to working for them for X years, you are free to withdraw from the opportunity at any time, even before your first day. You can accept the job, then if something far better comes along, you can say, "thanks, but I changed my mind." Keep in mind that this is not without risk, most notably the risk of being tagged Do Not Rehire.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · May 28, 2018

congratulations, you have found the revolving door located outside of their HR office BEFORE accepting the position.
Most places require 6 months to a year experience before allowing a new grad to work PRN. While most places offer a considerable amount more for PRN this is not always the case. Sometimes the pay rate is only minimally higher (I'm talking $2/hr-more like a pay CUT once benefits are gone) BUT you make your own schedule so they don't control your life either. If the unit is so poorly staffed that they have 12 open positions that didn't have long term employee working them, well, I wouldn't expect to have an ideal schedule or get any of your PTO days granted within the next year or even longer. Just because you have PTO available doesn't mean you'll be able to use it. I've been there, it wasn't fun.

She said she won't accrue any PTO.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · May 28, 2018

What state are you in that you can work BEFORE you pass the boards?

Hoosier_RN, MSN · May 28, 2018

Not every per-diem job pays more than the FT/PT employees get. They frequently do,but not always. Depending on the supply and demand in the local job market, they may find that they can get away with not paying a higher hourly rate. So what you describe is not unheard of, nor is it considered ripping you off. You are told up front what the rate is and how it compares to FT/PT rate...and they're not forcing you to take the job. You are free to shop around elsewhere.
Now let's address the New Grad elephant in the room.
1. As a new grad, you don't exactly have a lot of power when it comes to negotiating hourly rates. Not saying you should suck it up and take this job if you're not happy with the pay, but you may or may not find better rates. Depends on your area's job market.
2. As a new grad, the longer you go without that first job, the worse off you're going to be. After a year you're an old new grad, which makes it even harder to get hired because now you're no longer eligible for many new grad programs/positions. For those other jobs that you could qualify for, not only are you competing against experienced nurses, you're also competing against fresher new grads. It's a tough hole to get out of.
3. As a new grad, per-diem is not the preferred way to go. It's great that they have a new grad program, and I would presume that you would be in this program if you accepted this position. But new grads needs stability for their first year. They need consistent hours and consistent locations, not working a few days a month and floating all over the place. Per-diem does not guarantee hours: you could work 40 hours one week and not work a single hour over the next 3 weeks. Also, per-diems are usually the first ones floated. They're also the first ones cancelled or flexed off.
It's hard enough as it is to master the basics in your first year as a nurse, without having to worry about whether you'll get enough hours or if you're going to be working an unfamiliar/disliked unit.
That being said, my first job as a new grad was per-diem in a decent sized psych hospital. And yes, my per-diem rate was the same as the going rate for a new FT/PT employee. No new grad program: a week of hire training, a month of orientation and that was all. But between their being frequently short-staffed and my willingness to start off on evening shift as well as work every weekend, I was able to rack up 32-40 hours a week most weeks of my first year. So while it's possible to work as a new grad per-diem and succeed, I can't guarantee you'll have the same luck as I did.
Anyway...
If it were me, what I would do is take this per-diem job, go through their new grad program, start working and gaining RN experience. You made it clear that you don't need the job immediately, benefits aren't an issue, and your financial situation is somewhat OK that you don't need to make bank. Meanwhile, start looking for the job that suits you more, whether it's an internal transfer or elsewhere. When the better job is found and you're get hired, then quit this job, or keep it and scale your availability to the minimum required.
Best of luck whatever you decide.

Exactly everything I was going to say. Any facility that would hire a new grad PRN is having some issues! Good luck with your Job Search

Brwnidbeauty, BSN · May 28, 2018

Should be getting more. I know LPN/LVN who are getting $22-23 per hour! You deserve better pay. Best Wishes.

K9lover, ASN, RN · May 28, 2018

You will be first to float so I would take a pass on that as a new grad.

K9lover, ASN, RN · May 28, 2018

And $26 an hour, what state are you in? I started at $30/H 21 years ago in California.

meganec17 · May 28, 2018

I'm a BSN in New Hampshire

meganec17 · May 28, 2018

And $26 an hour, what state are you in? I started at $30/H 21 years ago in California.

I'm a BSN graduate from NH