ICU JOB OFFER

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I got an offer for ICU in california , i was offer $29 ( night shift so i am assume there is no differential) with a 2-year contract. I am really nervous to get into contract since the pay is to low. what you guys think? Also i am New grad with no experience.

I would never sign a contract locking me into an employer, no matter how much they were wanting to pay me, for two years.

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Specializes in CCU/ICU, CVICU, CTICU, CSU.

I would NOT take that job! In California, that pay rate is horrible, especially if you're working nights. Is that GN rate? If you have experience in ICU, you should be paid based on your years of experience AND any certifications (ie, CCRN). If you have NEVER worked ICU, I highly recommend against your working contract ICU. You will crash and burn, my friend. I'm employed in FL, and my pay rate is almost double that, uncontracted!

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It is hard to say if that pay is low not knowing your market. Generally pay is much higher in CA. The mistake nurses make is looking at a wage number and thinking, "oh $35 is better than $29," instead of looking at the long-term of what you want to do in your career you get caught up on an extra 5-10k per year in salary. Or thinking about what facility you want to work. My issue with your question is this: contract. Is the contract based on a signing bonus? If so, I would turn down the bonus and not have a contract. Work contracts are basically a labor-loan and no different than using a credit card. As you select your first job, think about what you want to do in your career, what job environment suits you best, do you like the people where you're getting hired, is it a job you could truly see yourself doing for a few years, etc. It is hard to know as a new nurse what you will eventually want and for that reason don't get trapped by a contract.

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The fact that they want you to sign a 2 year contract is alarming to me, it tells me they need to tie staff down legally because otherwise they can't keep staff. Ask yourself why they can't keep staff because for me, that's the only question here.

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The fact that they want you to sign a 2 year contract is alarming to me, it tells me they need to tie staff down legally because otherwise they can't keep staff. Ask yourself why they can't keep staff because for me, that's the only question here.

The director of the ICU says that he trains people and then they leave him. So I am thinking that the work environment is not good and pay is very low. I already turned it down so I'll keep looking and hopefully I get a job with no contract. Thank you all for your feedback , I really I appreciate it.

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Pay seems low, as everyone is saying. I was offered a job in a neruo ICU in Dallas for $28 with differential

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I made more than that as a new grad in that area 8 years ago.....so did wages freeze or are they lowballing because your a new grad?

My cheapest apartment I could find in OC was a 2 bedroom at 1200/ month. I imagine rated are more expensive now. If you have student loans or car payments you will not be able to survive on that low of an income. That is just a fact. The area doesn't pay well for the cost of living. As a new grad tho your options are very limited and it is a great opportunity to get ICU right away. But if you can't afford to survive , it doesn't matter....

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I made more than that as a new grad in that area 8 years ago.....so did wages freeze or are they lowballing because your a new grad?

My cheapest apartment I could find in OC was a 2 bedroom at 1200/ month. I imagine rated are more expensive now. If you have student loans or car payments you will not be able to survive on that low of an income. That is just a fact. The area doesn't pay well for the cost of living. As a new grad tho your options are very limited and it is a great opportunity to get ICU right away. But if you can't afford to survive , it doesn't matter....

I think they are lowballing me because I am New Grad and yes rent is like $1700_1800 for two beds . I have two interviews for different positions in the coming days so hopefully I get hired. 1st is for Tele, 2nd is for ED. Although I love to start in the ED, but Tele is at a hospital that I did all my clinicals and most of the staff are nurturing and graduated from same program as I.

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Specializes in ICU.

I would say get into ED. More doors open up for you than tele. I have seen positions that for IR & PACU that will take ED exp.

The type of apartments I like in orange county are 2k for a 1bedroom.

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Thank you

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So , I was interviewed today for ED ppsition. The ED director said that she likes me and I would be good fit. She said that I will be hearing from HR next week with a formal offer. So I am assuming that I will be hired

The only thing is that I didn't ask for the pay rate . I was looking now some old post and saw that the hospital was paying $23 in 2013 for new grad . Should I call HR and find out how much they pay or just wait for their call?

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Specializes in ICU.

Sounds promising. Just wait for the call. Find out weekend, night, and evening differentials along with base pay. Request benefits package to look over. I doubt the pay is 23 an hour for an RN in Orange county.

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