New Grad - Private Practice Salary

[NCINDASUN]

I'm a new grad and have been interviewing for a position with a private oncology practice. My responsibilities will run the gamut from assessing to educating to administering chemo. Around here the hospitals all have a set starting rate for new grads - about $18.50.

What would be considered "fair" in private practice?

Thanks!

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

Congrats on graduating! You can try posting this question in the NC forum as well.

Best wishes to you.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

I would not recommend doing private practice chemotherapy as a new grad. You need a really good base of training for this. Not just in chemo administration, but in dealing with anaphylaxis and access devices. Could you start at a hospital for chemo training and then move into private practice when you had some experience? That is really a lot for a new grad to take on.

[NCINDASUN]

CrunchRN,

I guess my post was somewhat misleading. Eventually I will be doing chemo - after I complete my OCN.

I understand that I'm looking at a VERY steep learning curve, but the nurse manager and staff I would be working with are top notch. They don't typically take new grads, but they are willing to take a chance on the right person. The nurse manager is very hands on, loves to teach, and the practice works with each nurse to assist them as they work toward their OCN. There are 2 nurses that have gone on, with the support of the practice, to get their Nurse Practitioners license.

Because of my current stage in life, I need the 8-5 schedule that a hospital can't offer. Oncology and eventually Hospice is where I want to focus my attention, so this seems like the perfect way to get my feet wet, as ling as I go into it with my eyes open.

Your thoughts?

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

That sounds great and as long as they stick to that and don't rush you into anything before you are ready then it sounds like a good opportunity. Not many offices run like that. As a new graduate at a large clinic with an oncology practice within the clinic they tried to get me to administer chemo with 2 day's of following another nurse around - yikes!

For nurses in a MD office then I would expect your pay would be anywhere from $3 to $5 dollars less (at least in areas where I have worked) than day shift at the hospital. However, the hospital starting wage is so low there that I wouldn't think they would go much lower. Could you ask for $17.50 per hour? It's all about negotiating, and if you say a low number they will agree and you are done. If you start higher and have to negotiate down then you will have "given" something and they will feel they have been succesful.

Let me know how it goes and good luck with the negotiations. I love the M-F, 8-5 kinda life because that is what my husband works. Good luck and go get um!