How much I'm REALLY worth ;-)

[Mrs. Sparkle Pants]

I am currently a home health PCA. I have a degree in speech pathology and the majority of a master's degree in deaf education, but have decided to go into nursing. I have been called the "housekeeper" recently; also, my family thinks I should work in a hospital, because it has more "prestige" ha. I wanted to outline exactly what I do, and what I am worth:

Dietitian (planning and cooking meals for individuals with various health concerns i.e. diabetes, CHF, high cholesterol, etc...): $19.00/hour

PCA (bathing, toileting, skin care, foot care, nail care, medication reminders, ostomy/catheter care, dressing, grooming, oral care, etc...): $12.00/hour

Social Worker (mediating family conflicts, observing for signs of abuse/neglect, contacting family members regarding numerous issues, referring to community agencies): $25.00/hour

Environmental Services (laundry, dishes, sweeping, mopping, bathrooms, kitchen, dusting, changing linens, etc...): $9.00/hour

Patient Sitter (companionship, watching clients who are a high fall risk, etc...): $9.00/hour

Unit Secretary (answering phones, taking messages, relaying information to the office, etc...): $14.00/hour

Activities Coordinator (going to restaurants, getting haircuts, scheduling and coordinating Dr. appts., planning activities for clients with dementia who need to be redirected, etc...): $15.00/hour

So no ma'am, I am not "just the housekeeper," I am the person who is keeping your loved one out of a nursing home, and rather than making minimum wage, I should be getting $103/hour, so a little gratitude or respect is appreciated. Thank you.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Reminds me of various "what is a wife worth" surveys, which include childcare, home management, nutrition, cooking, home psychology, etc.

Not quite sure of your post's goal with regard to nurses....?

[Jules Anne]

Not quite sure of your post's goal with regard to nurses....?

I think it's just a vent to others in healthcare who may feel under-appreciated for all that we do to improve peoples health and lives. I have always found these boards to be a safe environment in which to share feelings of frustration or feelings of joy that those who do not work in our field may not be able to understand.

[Skips, MSN, RN]

I'm a home health aide, too, and most people do think we are mere housekeepers.

[Mrs. Sparkle Pants]

Roser,

Have you never been referred to as "just the nurse." Goodness, there was a post yesterday about a patient asking "Is that ALL you do?" Every once and a while we need a reminder that what we do matters.

[WhichWayIsUp?]

I got told yesterday that "we see you so rarely" by the patient. Strange, at the end of the day the patient, his wife and daughter were all begging me to come back to work today (I am off). Amazing, they think we should be there every waking moment with them. Now how do I do that when I have 7 patients, discharges, admissions, patient care conferences, core measure training and group hug therapy for the manager? HUM?

[kygavin]

That's awesome!!! I like that!!!!