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.
I don't see what the big brouhaha is all about. The facility has a budget to hire an LPN. An RN applies for the job. The facility says, "I can only pay you what I would pay an LPN. Do you still want the job?" The OP says, "Yes."
This isn't a scope of practice question. At least, that's not what it seems like. At first I thought there might be something fishy about it, but the more I thought about it, it doesn't seem devious, at all. It is sad that an RN has to take a position that was budgeted for an LPN and I don't believe LTC experience is going to be that helpful in the experience category. It's a job, though. It's money coming in while the OP looks for another job. What would be illegal about that?
Here is the issue I see...You are being hired as a RN as you are licensed ok, you are going to be listed as a LPN for your pay rate, not ok. It is suspicious If they have a budget they can argue that they are paying you a new grad rate....which can be lower than the standard based on lack of experience, but to list you as an lpn in their books can cause problems for you later on that you that could put your license on the line. If something goes wrong and they are investigated and you are listed as an LPN in the books.....can you see where I am going? Another issue is that by locking you in as a LPN you will be locked in at the LPN rate which means you have no chance to reach the RN level salary that they do have, you will be capped off at a much lower rate. I understand taking the job becase you need the money but I just dont like the fact that they are listing you as a LPN ....and having you work at the RN you are. Just be cautious:coollook:
Thanks to all who have contributed their feedback. In response to caliotter 3 yes, I am signing RN after my name on everything, she has introduced me as an RN to staff etc. Ms. Chybil hit it on the nose and I am going to try to hang in there for a year like Suesqatch suggested. I know what they say about LTC a lot of places don't even consider that as experience. I don't know what they think we do there. I have been told from the other nurses that I should ask for RN pay after about three months or so, or if not leave, so we'll see.
Update: I am miserable. I feel the workload is unsafe twenty patients to one nurse, but I don't do all I am either the treatement nurse or the medication nurse, depending on where they feel like putting me. The staff is hostile, not supportive, can't ask any questions without being made to feel like an idiot. Or else I get the "oh you should have been here when it was one nurse to 40 patients, or don't you have the treatments memorized, or I just leave the treatment on the stand for the cna to put on. Or I can do these patients in two hours" No way can give tube meds to twenty patients with clogged tubes cause the night nurse did not flush, in two hours. Or do treatments, suction the patient change everyone's ic, etc that goes with being a treatment nurse in a two hour time frame. I have been there four weeks or so and I am running around all day, everything is an emergency, leave this to do that, etc, I take no breaks I work 7-3 but in reality I am there till 4 sometimes by the time I write report, give report, p/u orders, etc. I am overwhelmed and exhaused, when I get home I barely make it till 8:00 pm before I am out like a light and guess what more of the same to look forward to the next day. The state was there last week and everyone was on their best, I really do not know how they passed. You cannot put in the medex med not given because medication was not there. It is suggested you sign it even though it is lying and I told them so. I quit last week and told the director everything I was feeling, but she said to come back the next day so I did, and now I feel like I may quit again, because people's attitudes have changed I guess someone must have told I complained and now some of the nurses are not talking to me. I just do not have the time to spend to properly care for these patients and I feel like if I stay I may be putting my license at risk. Very confused and dejected.
Welcome to the world of LTC. You have to decide if you are going to deal with this or deal with not having a job. The next LTC facility may be worse, it may be the same, it may be better. Hard to tell before you take the job. Sorry I can't give you a better outlook, but the truth is better than telling you something that will never come about. Pay your bills, save some money, and look for another job. Good luck.
Thank you for the reality check I can't stand it when they tell me "oh you'll get the hang of it" No I won't, at least that is what it seems like, I appreciate your honesty, that is why when I need answers or just to vent or just to look at what others are going through I come to this forum, you guys are great.
Focus your efforts on coming up with little things that make it easier for you, so that you feel that you are making an effort. Every little bit helps to make it a little more tolerable each day.
Yup, sounds like typical sub acute/long term care. They are all very similar. I work in one that sounds a lot like the one you are in. Been there a long time as an LPN. I graduate my RN program in May and my #1 goal is to get out of sub acute/long term care. It really doesn't get much better, even when you have years of experience doing it. The whole system is awful. Good luck.
Miss Chybil RN, BSN, RN
318 Posts
I don't see what the big brouhaha is all about. The facility has a budget to hire an LPN. An RN applies for the job. The facility says, "I can only pay you what I would pay an LPN. Do you still want the job?" The OP says, "Yes."
This isn't a scope of practice question. At least, that's not what it seems like. At first I thought there might be something fishy about it, but the more I thought about it, it doesn't seem devious, at all. It is sad that an RN has to take a position that was budgeted for an LPN and I don't believe LTC experience is going to be that helpful in the experience category. It's a job, though. It's money coming in while the OP looks for another job. What would be illegal about that?