Is 21$ an hour for new grad (ADN), home health too low?

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Hi everyone, this is my first post and really hope to get inputs from you guys.

I am an new grad with ADN in Washington state living on the edge of Seattle, and have applied everywhere. I got 2 offers from homehealth agencies who need nurses to care for children or adults with trach/ventilation/maybe G tube...ect during a 4-7 hours shift. One place offered me 20$ with no night/weekend differentials and other place is 21$ with 1$ extra for night differentials. The recruiter said the pay is low because I am new grad, have only 1 patient, and the Medicare/medicaid reimbursement for the pt is low (I want to know how low?). I never expected the pay to be this low, plus I have my debt, and tuition for my BSN -full time. I am planning to work for 1 year then going to back to school for BSN full time with working par-time. Unless I work 60hr/wk with this hour rate, I would not meet my financial goal because I am international student so BSN school costs 40K :(

So, do you think this rate is reasonable? I personally think it is ok since this is not LTC but I don't want to be taken advantages of.

Thanks

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

Sounds like private duty nursing and not home health. I've seen and been paid anywhere from $17-26/hr ding PDN. The medicare/medicaid is just an excuse to pay less. Yes, they dropped the rates they pay the agencies. But they didn't drop the rates as much as the agencies dropped our pay

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

Also, medicare/caid requires a year of experience to do the job. The agency is hoping to get a warm body with a license and not get caught

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Thanks SDALPN, I couldn't find the regulation regarding the 1 year experience requirement, maybe I should contact the agencies to verify.

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

You can find the info on your states website for dept if health or dss or something along those lines. Asking the agency could lead you to not having a job. They usually only want you to know what they tell you. You will get more feedback in the pdn forum

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Moved. To private duty forum to elicit more response

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I make 28-29 per hour with 20 years experience, so I don't guess 21 would be unreasonable for a new grad. Of course, that depends on where you live also. I am in Texas.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Medicaid reimbursements are categorized into high-tech and low-tech, and the reimbursements are relational. There should be an LPN reimbursement rate and an RN reimbursement rate, but $22-30 per hour in private duty for RNs through agency isn't unheard of; and honestly isn't too off target of Medicaid reimbursements. There are enhancements that can come into play, but I don't know if that's state specific. If your state offers these enhanced rates, however, those do need to be passed on to you on top of, or part of, your hourly rate.

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

You can do a little research and find out what the state pays the agencies. It does depend on the case and the skills required for the case. But once you know what your agency is paid, you will know better how to bargain. If you have a way to bring a case to the agency, you will have more power to negotiate if the family wants you.

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