LTC vs. Hospital Salary for New RN - Help!

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jun 23, 2008

Dander-

Congrats on your new position. The job can't always be just about the money. I wish you well and keep looking forward.

kmom · Jul 5, 2008

For a new grad RN in northwest NC

Hospital: $18-20.45

LTC: $21.00

That is a no-brainer. The hospital is full of Geriatric patients. I'd rather work in LTC. Nowhere near the stress level.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jul 5, 2008

For a new grad RN in northwest NC
Hospital: $18-20.45
LTC: $21.00
That is a no-brainer. The hospital is full of Geriatric patients. I'd rather work in LTC. Nowhere near the stress level.

KMOM-have you worked in LTC? I've done both and found much more stress in LTC especially on a mixed unit...long and short term patients on the same floor. The lady in bed A is going into flash CHF postop and the lady in bed B has a daughter who is harassing you while you're trying to help the lady in bed A because HER mom hasn't gone to the hairdresser. More and more patients are full codes and there are more of them with fewer staff. I'd say the stress in LTC far outweighs anything on a med surg or ortho floor at the hospital.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2008

I live in Northern NJ and interviewed recently for a part-time day RN position at a LTC/sub-acute facility. I was told by HR that the starting rate for a new grad RN is $22.50 per hour. I thought this was low. Hospitals in my area start new grads at anywhere from $28 - $31.50 per hour on days. Is there really such a big difference in starting salary between LTC and hospitals? If I'm offered the position, I'd like to try to negotiate the starting rate. Thanks for your help!

Here in Connecticut LTC pays more than hospitals.

I am a GPN (waiting impatiently to take my NCLEX_PN). I was hired as a GPN part-time in a LTC facility and was hired at $21.75 +differential comes to like just a bit under $25 (no benefits, 3-11p shift).

An LTC faciltiy down the road from me was offereing $26-32/hr for LPN depending upon experience.

I can't believe that your place is hiring at a lower range than the hospitals. Its usually the other way around.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2008

KMOM-have you worked in LTC? I've done both and found much more stress in LTC especially on a mixed unit...long and short term patients on the same floor. The lady in bed A is going into flash CHF postop and the lady in bed B has a daughter who is harassing you while you're trying to help the lady in bed A because HER mom hasn't gone to the hairdresser. More and more patients are full codes and there are more of them with fewer staff. I'd say the stress in LTC far outweighs anything on a med surg or ortho floor at the hospital.

In addition, the stress is exacerbated by the fact that you have many more patients in LTC and subacute than you ever would on a typical acute care hospital floor. If something goes terribly wrong with one of your patients at a nursing home, you must manage this while still juggling the needs of your remaining 29 residents.

dander625 · Jul 7, 2008

KMOM-have you worked in LTC? I've done both and found much more stress in LTC especially on a mixed unit...long and short term patients on the same floor. The lady in bed A is going into flash CHF postop and the lady in bed B has a daughter who is harassing you while you're trying to help the lady in bed A because HER mom hasn't gone to the hairdresser. More and more patients are full codes and there are more of them with fewer staff. I'd say the stress in LTC far outweighs anything on a med surg or ortho floor at the hospital.

Hi CapeCodMermaid,

I fully agree with your comment that the stress level is higher in LTC. My plan is to get some experience under my belt and go to acute care in a hospital. At least in a hospital, part-time status will provide me with medical coverage; part-time in the subacute/LTC facility doesn't....and the monthly cost to cover myself and my children via a private plan is draining me financially. But at least I am getting the experience and I have already updated my resume. As a new grad working in LTC, my hat is off to all of the nurses who have worked in LTC for years! Cheers! :cheers:

dander625 · Jul 7, 2008

Here in Connecticut LTC pays more than hospitals.
I am a GPN (waiting impatiently to take my NCLEX_PN). I was hired as a GPN part-time in a LTC facility and was hired at $21.75 +differential comes to like just a bit under $25 (no benefits, 3-11p shift).
An LTC faciltiy down the road from me was offereing $26-32/hr for LPN depending upon experience.
I can't believe that your place is hiring at a lower range than the hospitals. Its usually the other way around.

Hi CT Pixie,

Thanks for the info! Yes, I know the starting rate is low...when HR told me the starting rate, my jaw came very close to hitting the floor! But we've had quite a few hospital closings here in Northern NJ and the job market really was terrible. As a new grad, I am getting all of the experience I can, updating and adding to my nursing skill set, and then hopefully in a couple of months I can apply to hospitals that were only hiring experienced RNs. At least that's my plan! Good luck on the NCLEX!