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

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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!

Where are you located? That seems very low. In northern California, Kaiser pays new RN grads $63/hour for normal employees (per diem i assume would be offered a differential).

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

I'm in New Hampshire. I can work as a graduate nurse with my temporary licenses for 120 days prior to taking the NCLEX.

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Holy cow that's a lot of money! I'm on the opposite coast in New Hampshire!

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Hi Megan!

If you have not turned down the offer, I'll say to counter it and see what they say (since you are going to be PRN). And by the way, I saw where you said they'll change it to full time. PRNs are not typically offered to new grads because you are supposed to just come in and "hit" the floor. Now, if they refuse, pls accept it. From reading your post, you haven't even passed NCLEX right? So, they are doing you a favor by accepting you before NCLEX. Also, the 3 months experience is so much needed as a new grad. While you are doing this job, focus and gain the experience that you need, as well as pass your NCLEX. Once you pass your NCLEX, you could start looking elsewhere. Don't pass up this opportunity of being with a preceptor as you may not get that with some other companies. Some might pay you well but only offer one month or maximum of 6 weeks. Ultimately, the decision is yours but this is just my two cents having been an RN for over 12 years. And oh, dually-certified FNP and PMHNP with DNP (while not important, it is just to let you know i have "been there, done that"). I have mentored and still mentoring lots of students and new grads and this type of opportunity should not be thrown away. It's not all about money...Like i said, the choice is yours..Good luck!

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She said she won't accrue any PTO.

Sorry, that didn't come out as I intended it to. Basically I was pointing out that PRN offers the ability to have flexibility with your schedule. This was the reason that I went PRN. I was staff, did not need the benefits (medical through husband) and the difference between FT and PRN was $2/hr more for PRN. The hospital frequently used agency so getting the hours wouldn't be an issue. I would no longer accrue PTO, but so what-I had submitted numerous requests months in advance with no one else requesting the same dates and still got turned down because they were short-so in the end my PTO was cashed out when I transitioned and I took a much needed vacation.

The pay wasn't much more and when considering the loss of benefits sometimes it may be considered less overall, but with facilities that need to fill 12 positions, and fill them with new grads, well, I'm thinking that staffing may not be the best. Benefits like PTO are only good if the employee is allowed to actually use it.

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

$26/hr can be considered generous in some states. It can take years of experience before ever seeing that much in some areas. Then again, the cost of living is no where near what it is in California.

18 years ago RNs made $15/hr as new grads in hospitals where I'm from!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
What state are you in that you can work BEFORE you pass the boards?

There are a few states that will allow new grads to work as graduate nurses (GN) before they pass the NCLEX. There is usually a time limit for how long they can work as a GN before they have to take the NCLEX...for some reason, 90 days sticks in my mind as to how long GNs have to take the test. But it could be more or less depending on the state.

If a GN fails the NCLEX, they are no longer able to work as a GN until they pass...and many employers will not hold a GN's job open once that happens.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Holy cow that's a lot of money! I'm on the opposite coast in New Hampshire!

As someone who does live on that opposite coast...yes, the hourly rates are much higher. And so is the cost of living. That $63/hr doesn't go far if you have to drop $2,000-$3,000 a month on housing, let alone other expenses.

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Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
Holy cow that's a lot of money! I'm on the opposite coast in New Hampshire!

It is... until you see how much it costs to live in the Bay Area region. And, Kaiser sets the standard when it comes to rate of pay...

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