New Grad RN-Home Health Chicago starting hourly rate

U.S.A. Illinois

Published

Im a new grad ADN-RN just graduated in December '12, I applied to an RN home health position and starting orientation in a few days, was wondering is $28/hour for an extended care visit the average starting salary in Chicago or are they low-balling me? Any info would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

When I worked for a hospital based HC agency I received the same salary and benefits as a staff nurse. Now a lot of HHA pay for visit.

$28 is about the average rate for new grad in the hospital in Chicago. Does this include benefits and travel reimbursement?

Also, are you being paid for the whole day, or just when you are actually in the home?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the info. The private home health care agency includes insurance, but its not great, so I declined it. There's no travel reimbursement and I'm paid hourly when I'm in the home. I'm asked to go visit a case for a few minutes and if it works out, then I'm scheduled for whatever days works for me and the patient. Is it normal to not have shift differentials when working for a private home health care agency? Is pay per visit or being paid hourly better? Am i allowed to negotiate the hourly compensation for a new grad position if a hospital made an offer? or would that look bad upon me? Thanks again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

When I did HC it was intermittent visits, with 6-8 visits per day, and was paid for 8 hours per day.

Hourl worked better for me, because then there was no incentive to rush through visits, or to crank out unnecessary visits.

Of course you can negotiate. It doesn't look bad as long as you are professional about it.

The worse they can say is no

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Care.

delete

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Basically you have no negotiating power as a new grad.

Just be sure you aren't being scammed. Home Health and Hospice is huge for scamming new nurses. There are a few great small independent Co.s but that's rare these days. So many are popping up with Medicare $$ in their eyes and fancy websites, these won't care what you do as long as charting goes through and payment is made. I'd be more concerned that you have some sort of clinical support and REAL clinical training as many of these have none. But they will ride you on your charting, because that's the money maker.

Try and see as you start how many of this company are just new grads or nurses having never worked elsewhere. Many of these Co.s only hire new grads and have no experienced nursing staff (this is purposeful), because you have no idea what you're doing and don't know wrong from right.

If you miss something, you will be the one it all falls on as you have the license, the owners don't, you see - they just cash the checks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the reply! The current cases that I'm getting seems like its a job for an LPN which includes routine daily care and some meds. I work a shift and go to just one home for the day. From reading the forums, I think it's called extended care. I also had no formal interview with the Home Health Care agency, is that a bad sign? I pretty much dropped my application off with a referral from an acquaintance and followed up over the phone. They've been around since the mid 90s I believe so I think they're legitimate co. Before this, I've been looking at many Chicago and Chicagoland hospitals associated home health but they all require RN experience, which is so frustrating these days.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi,

Does anyone know or can share their experience on what is the average pay for a new grad RN going into a hospital here in Chicago? I had an interview with a hospital here in Chicago and at the end of the interview they asked me for my pay requirement. I am not sure what is the average pay for a new grad now in 2013. Any help is appreciated!!

Best Regards

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, I graduated with my bachelors back in Dec 2011, took state boards in Mar 2012, passed and started searching for jobs here in Chicago.. I went on 5 interviews between April-May 2012 the average for a BSN prepared nurse is $27 or $28 for nights, $25 on days.. Northwestern Hospital has a $25 base pay $5 shift differential.. Mercy Hospital has a $25 base $1.50 diff.. St. Joseph has a $25 base $2.50 diff.. Christ has a $26 base 2.50 diff.. Then the job I chose which isn't in a hospital pays $27base $8diff.. No benefits though so ill be leaving soon, hope this helps, good luck ☺

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment