New grad RN in 2mos.??

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2016

Due to the issue with pay, I never entered acute care.

I earned $27.04/hr at a nursing home during my last year as an LVN in 2010. I received my RN license that year and the hospitals were offering me in the $26 to $27.75 hourly range to work med/surg and oncology as a new grad RN.

The new grad RN pay was too low for me, so I remained in long term care and picked up a post-acute rehab hospital PRN position. The nursing home job paid $33/hr and the PRN rehab position paid $36/hr.

I now work as an RN case manager from home. I still do not have acute care hospital experience, and I do not regret my decision to eschew the low new grad RN pay rates offered by the local hospitals.

magnolia44 · Mar 28, 2016

Yup, had a feeling that's what I'm looking at, did you have to do any additional training for case management work? How did that come about, I like the working from home idea... Thanks for responding:banghead:

CardiacDork, MSN, RN · Mar 28, 2016

Yup, had a feeling that's what I'm looking at, did you have to do any additional training for case management work? How did that come about, I like the working from home idea... Thanks for responding:banghead:

Now a days you will need bedside experience plus a bachelors. I work at a university hospital in Texas and our case managers need a minimum of a BSN + I believe 3 years bedside experience.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Mar 28, 2016

When I became an RN, I ended up making a whopping 1 dollar more than what I was making as a LPN; however I knew I was getting differential and then adjusted calculation merit percentage as a RN-the hospital I worked for adjusted my 7 years LPN to 3 years and added 10% plus 3% (for the three years) and got a 13 percent raise for the time adjustment and clinical ladder experience.

I would inquire if you will get adjustment to clinical time; at least in my area that still happens; look into places that have clinical ladder mobility. :yes:

ETA: at one time I was making up to 38 dollars an hour when I was a PRN LPN at a rehab hospital; when I was an agency LPN I would make 35-45 at one assignment; when I got ill and had to stop working, I ended up taking a 10+ dollar paycut; I then ended up working as an independent contractor to make up the difference in pay cut and paid my taxes for the year to be fiscally solvent for my household; I JUST started making the premium pay I worked as a LPN in the rehab hospital; the best thing is that I make more and have more benefits than being an agency LPN.

The first year pay may seem paltry, but then the pay does go up. :up:

magnolia44 · Mar 28, 2016

Thanks for your input, OK so the BSN and some experience is not too onerous, as qualifications go....

magnolia44 · Mar 28, 2016

Ladyfree, lots of interesting stuff in your post, I investigated clinical ladder and I would think the hospital I would be applying to would have one as it has recently become part of a big healthcare player. I am assuming the differential you mentioned has to do with working nights? and the merit adjustment you explained has to do with your prior experience, albeit as an LPN, which they gave you partial credit for. Thanks for the input, based off of what's been said I will apply, hope I get an interview and am compiling my long list of questions to ask as I get a little more savvy as to how things are done in RN world, thank-you, magnolia44

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2016

Yup, had a feeling that's what I'm looking at, did you have to do any additional training for case management work? How did that come about, I like the working from home idea... Thanks for responding:banghead:

My friend put in a good word for me and helped me get this position.