I'll take it! $$$

[CodeBlue21]

I'm an RN that was called into work to be a pt sitter. They're paying me $33/hr to be a patient sitter. No idea how this is cost effective for the hospital when they could be paying a CNA $10/hr. Does your hospital call nurses in to sit with patients that are a fall or suicide risk?

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Yes but they try to find a CNA first.It's still cheaper to pay for you than for a hip repair,or a lawsuit or other problems the pt can get into!

[klone, MSN, RN]

It's not cost effective. I imagine there were no CNAs/PCTs available.

I would not do it. I would be a horrible sitter. I can't sit for 12 hours straight.

[tsm007]

Yes. Sometimes we do work as sitters if there is no CNA available. Of course my hospital does things that boggle my brain as how they can be cost effective.

[Sour Lemon]

I'm an RN that was called into work to be a pt sitter. They're paying me $33/hr to be a patient sitter. No idea how this is cost effective for the hospital when they could be paying a CNA $10/hr. Does your hospital call nurses in to sit with patients that are a fall or suicide risk?

Yes, if no CNA is available, they will try to get a nurse.

[Sour Lemon]

I'm more baffled that you have one year experience and your rate is what I make as a nurse for 15 years. I suspect you might be in a higher cost of living area.

New grads made that at my hospital in California ...with overtime after 8 hours and double time for anything over 12. The cost of living is outrageous, though.

[andrea3434]

I'm more baffled that you have one year experience and your rate is what I make as a nurse for 15 years. I suspect you might be in a higher cost of living area.

My niece got hired this year as a new grad at that rate....in Fargo, ND (so not a very high COL).

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

At my PRN hospital, I have been the CNA for RN pay, but not a sitter

[cleback]

They do it all the time at mine. In part, because I think they gave trouble creating CNA positions in the budget and retainin CNA staff. The other part is I think they may purposely overstaff RNs in case of unexpected influx. So the extra nurses end up sitting or being CNAs.

I don't agree with it, and I prefer to be a nurse. But I suppose if the hospital has the money, it's nice to have a flexible staff.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I would hate to sit still, but I don't mind getting paid to be a sitter. It's really bad when you have to be a sitter for someone who is VERY sedated and you are just sitting there with no one to talk to.

[DowntheRiver]

My niece got hired this year as a new grad at that rate....in Fargo, ND (so not a very high COL).

I get requests for travel assignments all the time to various parts of ND and SD at a higher rate. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that no one wants to live there to the harsh weather conditions. I could tolerate it but many could not.

[Julius Seizure]

I would hate to sit still, but I don't mind getting paid to be a sitter. It's really bad when you have to be a sitter for someone who is VERY sedated and you are just sitting there with no one to talk to.

I think I would prefer that. I'm not much for chatting.