MGH is offering new grad ICU internship for $11.44 an hour?

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April, RN, BSN, RN

1,008 Posts

I have to jump on the bandwagon here. I know that being a jobless new grad and seeing $11.44 an hour is frustrating, but this posting is NOT a new RN position... it's a residency. They could have just made it an unpaid internship. MGH does not need new grads because they have so many experienced nurses who want to work there that can hit the ground running. MGH has cut back on their new grad hiring significantly over the last few years. This residency is an effort to offer some experience to those new grads who are out of work and becoming "old grads". As others stated, many new grads out there are jumping at the opportunity to get their foot in the door and at least have an ICU residency to put on their resumes. I do agree that the pay could be a little higher, but because there are so many applicants for this residency, the hospital is able to offer this pay rate and keep their expenses down. Besides, the RN resident will be working side by side with another nurse the whole time. They will not be working alone and doing all of the work of an RN at 1/3 the pay.

DisneybearRN

85 Posts

Specializes in informatics.
Nope. The prevailing wages for new grads in my area is about zero dollars and zero cents an hr. This hospital is trying to help new grads. Remember this is an internship, not a starting nursing wage...

I bet every single nurse who makes it past 6 months gets hired under this program, at a normal wage. Many newbs realize right around the 6month mark that they hate nursing, or that the bedside, or that ICU isn't for them.

Would it be better if hospitals made nurses pay back the costs of preceptorship when they leave?

And btw, your license is on the line always. If I mess up IRL, even if it has nothing to do with my employment as a nurse, I risk my license. Hopefully you know this...

Sweetie!

Your area is irrelevant. We are talking about Boston and Massachusetts. Just because there are not a lot of jobs, does not eliminate prevailing wage. New grads have been hired recently in Massachusetts, and a lot more will again when the economy picks up. Call it what you want, but it is a 40 hour week for six months utilizing a registered nurse, not someone still in school. Most internships are not after you become licensed. PT's have internships and I know they are paid more than that! Is is so unreasonable to suggest that 11.44 is too low? Perhaps you guys are not familiar with entry level jobs around here because you have been in the RN force for a while. Working at the mall pays more than that. I left a part-time job there that started at 12.00. A CNA in a Boston hospital pays more than that. Couldn't the nice hospital help out new grads by paying al little bit better? Say 20.00 while training? There are risks to hiring a new grad or anyone. You can't assume that all you apply will leave in six months. OK if I commit a crime, my license is at risk, but there is a lot more risk for a practicing R.N. than one who isn't. There is no need for if one isn't working. The risk is greater for the working R.N. It may not be a valid concern for you, but it is definitely a concern.

CCL RN, RN

557 Posts

Specializes in Cath Lab/ ICU.
Sweetie!

Your area is irrelevant. We are talking about Boston and Massachusetts. Just because there are not a lot of jobs, does not eliminate prevailing wage. New grads have been hired recently in Massachusetts, and a lot more will again when the economy picks up. Call it what you want, but it is a 40 hour week for six months utilizing a registered nurse, not someone still in school. Most internships are not after you become licensed. PT's have internships and I know they are paid more than that! Is is so unreasonable to suggest that 11.44 is too low? Perhaps you guys are not familiar with entry level jobs around here because you have been in the RN force for a while. Working at the mall pays more than that. I left a part-time job there that started at 12.00. A CNA in a Boston hospital pays more than that. Couldn't the nice hospital help out new grads by paying al little bit better? Say 20.00 while training? There are risks to hiring a new grad or anyone. You can't assume that all you apply will leave in six months. OK if I commit a crime, my license is at risk, but there is a lot more risk for a practicing R.N. than one who isn't. There is no need for malpractice insurance if one isn't working. The risk is greater for the working R.N. It may not be a valid concern for you, but it is definitely a concern.

Now you're just getting angry because few people agree with you. You don't know where I'm at... Here, I'll tell you what part of the country I'm in.... I'm in new-grads-can't-get-a-job town. Yeah, that region!

You can argue all you want, (moreso if you can't find work, I suppose). But the fact is this ISN'T a job! It's an internship. I'm sure you heard us all say that, right? Right.

Sorry. But, that's good pay for an internship. New grads are too fininacially risky right now..and this economy/market isn't "turning around" ANY time soon. Be grateful you have an opportunity.... Or don't be . Your choice. Meanwhile, a whole group of new grads will be practicing nurses, and you won't be...

DisneybearRN

85 Posts

Specializes in informatics.
I have to jump on the bandwagon here. I know that being a jobless new grad and seeing $11.44 an hour is frustrating, but this posting is NOT a new RN position... it's a residency. They could have just made it an unpaid internship. MGH does not need new grads because they have so many experienced nurses who want to work there that can hit the ground running. MGH has cut back on their new grad hiring significantly over the last few years. This residency is an effort to offer some experience to those new grads who are out of work and becoming "old grads". As others stated, many new grads out there are jumping at the opportunity to get their foot in the door and at least have an ICU residency to put on their resumes. I do agree that the pay could be a little higher, but because there are so many applicants for this residency, the hospital is able to offer this pay rate and keep their expenses down. Besides, the RN resident will be working side by side with another nurse the whole time. They will not be working alone and doing all of the work of an RN at 1/3 the pay.

It is still too low a figure for a full time position internship, residency, or otherwise. They could have done a lot of things! They could have offered less applicants the chance and paid an entry wage. $11.44 is too low. The point is not whether people will take advantage of it, but the stipend being paid. It is too low. There will be responsibility involved and the Tech with less responsibility working beside you will be making more which is ridiculous. This is only happening because of the economy and surplus of new grads is letting them. I know people who have applied and when the rate was published they are no longer interested. It is a turn off to most new grads. If you do not need a job, it is fine. But most of us need to make more than we are making now outside the field or as CNA's. Six months is a long time to make so little with horrible hours. The position would not interest me no matter what it paid, and I stand behind the fact that the figure is too low.

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

I don't care how new a person is to any line of work, being offered an insulting wage is no way to build a solid employer-employee relationship.

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

BTW, I once started in the apprentice level of a trade, working union. I can assure you my wage was far above and beyond minimum wage and I was not insulted.

DisneybearRN

85 Posts

Specializes in informatics.
Now you're just getting angry because few people agree with you. You don't know where I'm at... Here, I'll tell you what part of the country I'm in.... I'm in new-grads-can't-get-a-job town. Yeah, that region!

You can argue all you want, (moreso if you can't find work, I suppose). But the fact is this ISN'T a job! It's an internship. I'm sure you heard us all say that, right? Right.

Sorry. But, that's good pay for an internship. New grads are too fininacially risky right now..and this economy/market isn't "turning around" ANY time soon. Be grateful you have an opportunity.... Or don't be . Your choice. Meanwhile, a whole group of new grads will be practicing nurses, and you won't be...

What makes you think I am angry? I am not. I don't see why keeping the focus on Massachusetts for this discussion is out of line and trying to keep the discussion not personal. I do apologize for responding in kind to your condescending post by calling you what you called me, i.e., "sweetie." I know that new grads are being hired here. Beth Israel just hired some new grads, as has my hospital. Internships are still considered work, and most are for people who are still in school. And we are all wrong to call it an internship, it is being build as a residency. Residencies are definitely paid positions, and the position lists a "salary" of 11.44. Again with the personal... I will be starting an R.N. job soon and will be making more money sooner than those in that program. I don't know why you have become so defensive and personal but that is not where I care to follow anymore. I stand behind that 11.44 is insulting to new R.N.s whatever you call the program. I have heard more disbelief surrounding that figure from practicing nurses, physical therapists, and new grads than the posts on this one bulletin board. Granted it is not a statistical survey, but I have at least done it. Until I get more responses otherwise, I still believe 11.44 is too low.

PS. You claim that is "good pay for an internship" but in an earlier post you even stated the wage was too low!

The wage is low for sure. I bet they fill every spot.

JenniferSews

658 Posts

Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

Hospitals in my city used to offer "nurse intern" spots but the pay was better than CNA pay. Honestly I think it's too low, but if I was offered that position I would take it. I know some frustrated "stale" new grads in MA who would do the same. I guess in some ways MGH is at least trying. EVERY hospital in my city said 1+ years experience when I graduated, not they say 2+ years. I'd almost move back home to MA for that kind of an opportunity, but I'd really want more of a promise of a job at the end.

OTOH I saw a listing recently for a ICU internship at a local hospital. The requirement for that internship was 1+ years acute care RN experience.

BettyBoop01

171 Posts

I think less than 12 bucks an hour is offensive. That being said, they will most definately fill every spot because of the new grad glut in Massachusetts. I bet it will be really competative too and tough to get into.

If you are unemployed, this would be an excellent opportunity. And personally, after taking 12 bucks an hour for 6 months, I personally would have very little emplyer loyalty. At the end of the 6 months, you have MGH ICU training to showcase on your resume, and this will most certainly get your foot in the door at other hospitals. So at that point, the ball is in your court. You like MGH and want to stay, then stay. If they do not offer you a position or the commute is too long or whatever, you have 6 months of experience for your resume. It seems like it would be totally worth biting the bullet to get yourself ahead. I'd start putting it on your resume and applying everywhere around month 4 or so, in case they don't offer everyone a position. And if they do not offer everyone a position, they may offer spots at some of their affiliate hospitals.

Take the job if you can get it, learn as much as you can. Work hard, show up on time, and do your best. At the very least you will gain experience and references. At the most you will get a job at the end. Win win.

Take it if you can get it, and use it to your advantage. It comes with benefits right? That counts for something.

Silverdragon102, BSN

1 Article; 39,477 Posts

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

closing for a cooling out period.

please can i remind everyone on the terms of service which they agreed to when they joined the site. no personal attacks and polite debates please

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Silverdragon102, BSN

1 Article; 39,477 Posts

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

reopening thread.

l gardens

9 Posts

I was sitting in on a meeting at MGH the other day where this was being discussed. There was a lot of outrage among nurses, feeling this was insulting. While I agree, I know tons of nurses who couldn't find jobs as new grads and worked for a similar amount of money in retail or office jobs that did not get them any closer to where they wanted to be. This is a viable option for nurses who are looking for more hands-on training and haven't found something more permanent. I think it's kind of a crappy situation but it's a way that MGH can offer nursing jobs to new grads. While there is no guarantee of a job after the internship, the nurses can put this experience on their resume and then are no longer "new grads." Not ideal, but it works for some people.

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