New Grad RN program $15/hr

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I recently passed my NCLEX and was given information about a new grad RN program that my hospital system has. It starts you out paying $15/hr (only $0.25 more an hour than I was making as a CNA at the same hospital system) and requires travel to a large metropolitan area to take these classes and do sim lab just like I did during nursing school. They won't cover the costs of mileage to and from the metropolitan hospital (it's 2 hours away from me). After completing the couple weeks of travel 2 hours one way I get placed in Med-surg, PCU, or Tele, or IMCU and have to sign a 2 year contract. If I leave before 2 years I owe them $10,000.00.

Right now this is the only job I'm being offered by this hospital system. Is this standard as to what is being offered new grads? I might have a position offered at another hospital, I need to contact them first though. I just don't see how this new grad RN program is at all beneficial to me or frankly anybody else! Has anybody done a program like this before? What were your experiences?

Specializes in ER.

I would also find out if you are doing actual patient care during the first three months? If it isn't, that's probably why it is so low.

I would also ask about the contract and if you can see it.

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I'm an RN in CA and I'm 9 months out of school and am still applying to residencies. I'll tell you one thing, every RN residency program out here comes with a 2 or 3 year contract. Sure, $15/hr isn't great, but it beats $0/hr. And you'll get the experience to move to your "dream job" in 2 years. It costs a hospital an average of $55,000 per new grad RN to put them through training and pay (in California)-- granted our starting wage is around $32/hr-- but that amounts to well over the $10k they'd ask you to cough up if you decided to break contract. As far as sim lab goes, remember that some schools don't have it. This hospital needs to know that you can respond properly in a code and under pressure. Extra practice never hurt anybody.

My two cents: a bird in the hand beats two in the bush...

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I'm an RN in CA and I'm 9 months out of school and am still applying to residencies. I'll tell you one thing, every RN residency program out here comes with a 2 or 3 year contract. Sure, $15/hr isn't great, but it beats $0/hr. And you'll get the experience to move to your "dream job" in 2 years. It costs a hospital an average of $55,000 per new grad RN to put them through training and pay (in California)-- granted our starting wage is around $32/hr-- but that amounts to well over the $10k they'd ask you to cough up if you decided to break contract. As far as sim lab goes, remember that some schools don't have it. This hospital needs to know that you can respond properly in a code and under pressure. Extra practice never hurt anybody.

My two cents: a bird in the hand beats two in the bush...

Not all places actually train you. My friend got a day of orientation in home health and had to sign a freaking year long commitment contract for her one day of "training"

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I would also find out if you are doing actual patient care during the first three months? If it isn't, that's probably why it is so low.

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As far as I see it, you are NOT being paid a sub-par wage as a nurse: you are being paid fairly well to CONTINUE AS A STUDENT!! Graduating is just step one on the road to nursing competence.....there is so, SO much to learning, and they are willing to teach you for free and pay you for your time. It is nursing school, only you are getting money IN rather than paying for the privilege!!

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I guess my thought is, you are working as a CNA right now for pretty much the same wage. Are you OK continuing working as a CNA for the long term? new grad jobs are far and few in between so how long are you OK with continuing in your current role?

This offer seems hinky to me. Add in the $10k contract and I'd be sick to my stomach. What is wrong with this hospital that they feel the need to hold this kind of power of you?

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

The residency programs here you PAY to do, and you still have to interview the same way you would for a job. The hiring rate is basically 100%, but it's a 10 week, $800 COURSE through the local university. I'm guessing those doing it would LOVE to get even $15/hour, which is less than half the going RN pay rate here.

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Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.

I mean, I would rather make $15 for a few weeks with a guaranteed job/pay raise at the end of it, than $0 an hour with no job. I don't see how that DOESN'T benefit you.

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

After calling some other hospital in the area that have new grad programs, I guess that the $10,000.00 threat is common to all the programs. It just makes me so uncomfortable.

It's not a dream job or dream hospital, but the facility does have a pretty good reputation in the area. I've worked for 4 years to become an RN, I'd like to start being a nurse, I'm sort of sick of being an aide. After calling around and not being able to contact the recruiter at the other hospital I'm starting to learn toward this job.

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.
After calling some other hospital in the area that have new grad programs, I guess that the $10,000.00 threat is common to all the programs. It just makes me so uncomfortable.

It's not a dream job or dream hospital, but the facility does have a pretty good reputation in the area. I've worked for 4 years to become an RN, I'd like to start being a nurse, I'm sort of sick of being an aide. After calling around and not being able to contact the recruiter at the other hospital I'm starting to learn toward this job.

Memorial Hermann?

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.
Memorial Hermann?

No, I live in Southwest Florida and am not currently interested in leaving the state.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

Oh my. How things have changed in 9 years. I actually received a sign on bonus as a new graduate.

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Like other posters have said, depends on your area of the country.

I just graduated and was offered a GN internship starting at 24.5/hr, and it goes up to 25 after 6mo. I also get an $850 NCLEX bonus on my first check, and they are paying me for an 8 hour day on the day I take the NCLEX. This is a major metro hospital, and I didn't have to sign a contract.

So is your situation typical? I would say no, because most of the hospitals in my area start between 23-27/hr for GNs. But I also don't know what part of the country you're in and how that compares.

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