New grad LVN Dr. wants to pay me $10???

[vn-rn]

Hello my fellow nurse. I hope everyone is having luck with their job search. I know I'm not!

So here's the story. A friend of mind who see's a psych doctor mentioned me to her and the doctor asked my friend to have me call her. So I did and she wants to drop by at her clinic. I arrived 20min. early and waited about 40min for the interview.

She interviewed my while she was talking to the other two gentlemen who was also waiting for her to discuss about abilify. So it was like a conference/interview and she introduced me to these gentlemen as well and I have to act or pretend that I am listening to them while they explain to the doctor about the drugs. And when the speaker turn to other person the doctor would asked me questions. And so basically every questions that she asked me and told me about the job description was heard by at least 4 people. And I think the most embarrassing part was when she said the pays $10 per hour.

When I first arrived at the clinic I introduced myself as a nurse to the staff and I looked as professional as I can be. And then there I was, in the middle of a conference offered a job for $10/hr.

I was excited and all because at first she said "well this is a part-time job and you will mainly check pt's VS and report to me and write my prescriptions" and the mentioned that I can either work 2 full days 9-6 or work 4 half days and i can choose whatever day i want.

oh, and another thing, she said that I will not actually hold a position as an LVN and all I will do is VS, answer phone calls and or other front desk clerical jobs, but she said mostly I will be her assistant. ( I think even clerks or receptionist or other UAP get paid way more than $10)

Now, my dilemma. I have a 2 year old who goes to a preschool when of course I need to go work for her. $10 wouldn't even enough for one day at the pre-school?

But the bright-side is, she works at St. Joseph hospital in Orange county (I am from Orang btw) so I think if I can work for her I can have her refer me to that hospital? if she even agree to do so?

I feel like I have been insulted somehow and I just want to cry! But at the same time I think it's better than nothing? or at least this will get my feet wet?

Please Please Please! I need somebody to tell me that there are jobs out there so I don't have to take a $10 job just to get my feet wet!

[nursel56]

I guess it's a sign of the times that someone would even offer such a small wage, and I really can't tell you what to do but just consider what you're looking for in a job. Could you be happy in an environment where your boss has very little respect for you or your time? It sounds like she was trying to save time by doubling you up with what sounds like drug reps who were there to do a sales pitch, on top of making you wait 40 minutes. The $10/hr wage is just icing on the cake.

Another factor to think about is that for the most part, clinic and doctor's office experience doesn't translate to hospital or even LTC experience, so taking the job "just to get your feet wet" may not help you much in that regard.

You've already started to calculate the ancillary costs (such as preschool) of your taking that job and comparing it to the wage they want to pay you.

I wish I could see into the future myself! The nursing job market is bad all over the state! In the end it has to be your decision, but I wouldn't be happy there, I know that. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best! :)

[Anne36, LPN]

I couldnt give you any advice for the area you live in, because Im in MI. I have not had my first interview yet since graduating. What I can tell you is that when I was in school we were told to never work in a job title below our level of education because in a court of law we would still be held accountable as an LPN. The Dr sounds as if she is looking for a medical assistant.

[onepowerfullady, LPN]

Maam...I live in Mississippi and I am paid way more than that. 10.00 is an insult. You can make that at Home Depot. You would be still held accountable as an LPN if some things went wrong. Sounds like they don't value you as a person for making you wait! Lmbo!

[caliotter3]

Now you know why the medical profession introduced medical assistants into the mix.

[KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN]

I know medical assistants who make more than $10/hr. Heck, when I was a CNA I made more than that. On the "bright" side (if there is one), having this job on your resume may help you get other LPN office positions in the future. But that low wage is just what is so...bad. Is there any way you could negotiate the wage to something that is more comfortable for you & the Dr?

[Topaz7]

I am a recent grad as well- licensed in March. I was hired making $17/hr, also in psych. I will say you have to look at what your long term goals are and where your passion lies. I personally would not take the job, I made that amount of pay, actually a bit more as a care provider. It probably also helped me that I worked there already as a care provider. However, if you want to be in psych I will say this that as a LPN it is hard to get into psych- at least where I live and I live in the second largest city in the state. My job only hires LPN's on the sub acute Detox unit and in the ECT clinic- you have to be a RN to work inpatient. I agree with what someone else said above- it sounds like the doctor is looking for a medical assistant. Best of luck to you in whatever you decide.

[puravidaLV]

take the job and walk on it when you find something

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Depends on where you are. Around here, considering you'd make less than you would at the hospital, that wouldn't be bad for a new grad LVN.

[studentnurse50]

Take a deep breath and think it through. Write a list of pros and cons.

Consider doing this: Call the doctor and state that from the interview, it appears she needs a nursing professional who can also handle front office duties. Be professional and share that with the duel duties, you could join her team for $15/hour.

If the doctor quibbles about $15/hour, then I would respectfully decline the position as you have already stated that $10/hour would not cover your childcare expenses.

The school I graduated from is in Monterey county. Nursing Assistants make at least $16/hour in most of the hospitals in the area. While you are not in Monterey county, nor would you be in a hospital, I agree with another poster, that it sounds like the doctor would like the best of both worlds~pay a low salary but have a nursing professional at the same time.

A lot of us are in the same boat with you-looking for that first job. Salaries seem ridiculously low, but the key is to understand your geographical location and comparable salaries for comparable work. Example: If i had stayed in California and been fortunate enough to find a position in a hospital as a new grad RN in Monterey, I would be making around $38/hour as a new grad. Where I live now, new grads start out at $22-27/hour.

Blessings on your search.

[watersamy]

Looks to me like the good Doctor is looking for cheap labor. $10 an hour is an insult, I made $15 as a CNA while in nursing school. Find out what the normal hourly wage for your area is before making any decision, then factor in all of your expenses, including the job taking you into a higher income bracket if you have a second income from a spouse. Then decide if its even worth the gas to take this job.

[IEDave, ASN, CNA, LVN]

Um, yeah. Let's see here - $10 an hour for a licensed healthcare professional. In Orange County, CA. Home of Disneyland, and some of the highest costs of living in the state.

My take - pass. Why? I make $9.00 an hour working in San Bernardino as a CNA - new grad, no experience. This doofus needs to stick a crowbar in his wallet and buy himself a frickin' CLUE!

Here - use this link. Human_Resources_Home

There's an entry level LVN job listed - $3000/month, that'll get you some actual real-world experience that PAYS. LVN I - Corrections (sounds worse than it is - it's working Probation, so you're dealing with folks that've done their time). My guess is that there are opportunities closer to home, but this is at least do-able.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

----- Dave

p.s. In'N'Out burger starts their staff at $10/hour, just for purposes of comparison.