New grad RN finds job at ltc, but getiing paid as LPN

[newbiehere]

Hello, I am a new grad, (June 2009), on Long Island, have applied everywhere with no luck, no call back nothing!!

Have been working flu clinics on and off as needed. Applied for a job at a LTC facility in Queens, during the interview she told me she would be hiring me as an RN but would be paying me LPN salary. She would not continue with the interview unless I agreed. I agreed because something is better than nothing, but now I am thinking maybe I should not have. $21.00 an hour is better and $0.00 an hour, and I am getting experience too. Initially she told me 7-3 but when I called to confirm, she said you have to be flexible the schedule is already made up for the month of December, etc. First you train and then we will see. I just don't have a good feeling about this. Also, I have to pay for parking, because there is no parking around $10.00 a day. Just need some feedback.

Thank you

[itsmejuli]

All I can say is ouch.

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

What a load of crap!

[paacollins]

It's a total load of crap and if she lists you as an LPN to cover her butt for paying you that way, and you work within the scope of an RN it sounds like a risky situation. I'd keep looking.

[CrystalClear75, BSN, RN]

Oh no way, please keep on looking and don't give up. I can just see a disaster waiting to happen. This angers me.

[RNnbakes]

$21 is the starting pay for new rn grads in GA so to me its not that bad. She is probably right about the schedule being made up for and for you to be flexible. $10parking is a lot, can you carpool or take the bus/train?

To me it seems like she is not promising you anything, they want to see how the training goes. Did she mention how many pts you will be accountable for? There are many posts about new grads in ltc who have listed some things to be aware/beware of in LTC.

If it was a better economy, I would have said follow your instincts and look elsewhere but am sure you have bills pilling up.

show up and see how it goes, but make sure you get malpractice insurance .

Good luck.

[Jules A, MSN]

I'm surprised she didn't just say $21 is what we pay new grads. Ouch is right but as you said $21 an hour is better than $0 an hour. You graduated a long time ago so I'd consider taking this one but continue looking. Best of luck to you.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Salary-wise, you're doing a lot better than most new grads in my area as well...but like paacollins said, if you're down as an LPN on paper and something happens there, that could mean trouble for you. I'd keep looking.

[Gerry1888RN]

I would work for 21 dollars an hour no problem here in this part of Arizona when I graduate, and I would even work for less in an LPN type role in LTC even though I'll be an RN. But, I would never work for 21 an hour in NYC. You could probably make at least 30/hr working as a waiter in New York. Plus, the cost of living is far too much in NYC to even thinking about working for that type of money after going through all that education.

[caliotter3]

As you are aware that is $21 an hour more than not having a job. However, don't get complacent and settle for that. Continue to look for an RN job at RN wages. And by the way, RNs were paid $17 an hour at the LTC where I was first hired (but that was 20 years ago).

[dekagirlsRN]

I too am a new grad and graduated last May 2009. Took a job in LTC (nobody else was hiring new grads) for $30/hr. Don't love it but I am learning something new everyday which is so important. I was given evening shift, but after a couple of months, when I saw that it wasn't best for my children (never ever saw them!) I decided to give notice. That's when they offered me days which is what I really wanted. So, maybe you should take it, and once you prove yourself as a good nurse, you can make some requests such as RN pay, etc. Good luck to you!

[romie]

Yes, 21 an hour in NYC is not acceptable, even for a new grad. They pay LPN's at least that much in Chicago where the cost of living is relatively less. If it is purely a financial issue, you would have better pay as an MDS coordinator an ADON or Administrator.

The other issue is that I have heard time and time again that once you get into SNF, it is very difficult to get into hospitals unless you are willing to continue your education, get an MSN and become a Unit manager or NP.

As a side note, you have to remember the issue of your own personal practice as an RN-- it requires quality experience and mentors. Remember Brenner's Novice to Expert theory. Are there externships or other programs in the hospitals that you could get experience while you work a more lucrative non-nursing job?