New grad salary - How much for OT?

QueenCityNurse · Sep 15, 2008

Hi.

I am not sure about all facilities in Charlotte but I work as an RN at CMC-Main. The new grad rate is 19.65 and once you finish your 90 day evaluation period, it goes up to 20.11. If you work nights, there is a $4. shift differential so it would be 24.11 and its also an additional $3 when you work on the weekends. Now, I know that it doesn't sound like much because I was feeling the same way but I am sure that what I have to say next will make you smile(LOL).

On my unit, once you are out of your 90 day evaluation period, we do self-scheduling and you are only required to work (3) 12-hour shifts. There is usually a lot of opportunities to pick up OT and an incentive is usually offered to those who pick up extra shifts but again, you have to wait until you are out of your 90 day evaluation period. If you sign up for an extra shift, once you have reached 40 hours (which is just four more hours beyond your regular schedule), you do get time and a half for those hours worked over 40. I am not sure about all units, but my unit offers incentive pay for picking up extra shifts which ranges from $12-15/hr so not only are you getting time and a half after you have worked 40 hours but you also get the incentive for the entire extra shift that you picked up. For example, during the first 4 hours of the extra shift, your rate will be 32.11- 35.11 and then 42.16 - 45.16 for the last 8 hours of the shift (these are the rates if you are on the days....you can plug in the shift diff for the nights and weekends to figure that out).

I know that this may sound really confusing but I hope that it gives you a better picture. Good Luck!

Abishag · Sep 15, 2008

Hi.
Now, I know that it doesn't sound like much because I was feeling the same way but I am sure that what I have to say next will make you smile(LOL).
Good Luck!

:yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

Oh it did make me smile! That sounds so much better. CMC main is where I plan to work after school so that is very helpful! Thank you very much! I can't wait to share with my hubby. He will be just as happy as me. (no wonder nurses get overworked...the incentive is too good to deny!) :rolleyes:

QueenCityNurse · Sep 16, 2008

LOL....the incentive is too good to deny but boy do you work for it. Just make sure that you try to choose a floor where the atmosphere is good and the coworkers are helfpul; this way, when there is opportunity for OT, you won't mind picking it up. Most of the time, I know that my shifts are probably gonna be busy/crazy ones (only b/c that's just the nature of my floor) but I work with a wonderful team of people and I absolutely love going to work.

Abishag · Sep 16, 2008

Yeah, I think the only way I could do it is if it was a faster paced atmosphere or something that makes the time fly. I really am looking into critical care or ER. We'll have to see. I have another year before I'm done so I have plenty of time and clinicals to find out what I want to do. I don't suppose the extra shift you pick up could be a float shift? Where you could take that shift and work in a different area for experience?

QueenCityNurse · Sep 16, 2008

Well, actually CMC is trying this new thing out with the float team/pool. I just graduated in May and a girl from my class as well as someone from the class before me chose the float pool. I do believe that it is also considered a full-time position so you would get your benefits.

The way it works is that you choose two areas that interest you, for example Med-surg & cardiac or ICU & progressive care (which is like step-down ICU). I am not sure about all of the areas that you can choose from. You get cross-trained in those areas (I think that its over a total of 6 months but I am not sure) and then after your training is finished, you float between the two areas that you chose. Since you want to try different areas, you might want to consider that.

Also, I do think that you can pick up extra shifts on other floors. There are different nurses that pick up time on my floor from other floors.

Abishag · Sep 16, 2008

Thank you so much for all your information!! I'm sure by the time I graduate much more will have changed but the float/cross train sounds really awesome! I am definitely going to look into that!

ThisOneGotLucky · Sep 16, 2008

QueenCityNurse,

Quick question about the 90 day thing...is this 90 actual working days or is it 90 days from the time you start?

You have been a great help...like a huge one! I was getting a bit discouraged. Does Presby pay more? If so, do you know how much more?

QueenCityNurse · Sep 18, 2008

It's 90 days from the time you start and to be honest, it may not be quite 90 days. For example, when I was officially out of orientation(on my floor), there was like another week and half left before I hit my 90 day mark but because I was on my own and out of orientation, I started receiving nurse pay instead of new grad pay.

I think that Presby do pay more but I heard that its like $1. However, the same way that most hospitals or other facilities don't advertise their incentives, you probably won't know how much more unless you can talk to someone who works there and don't mind giving you the scoop (LOL).

I'm glad that I can be of assistance.

celclt · Sep 19, 2008

and the float pool starts @ $26.75ish for new grad+ shift dif of course, I worked w/ a float who trained on 5 floors I believe (2 med surg-general,cardiac,renal,neuro) she loved it so far, 3 12s on days- low drama! :)

ellabella · Nov 10, 2008

I was on my own and out of orientation, I started receiving nurse pay instead of new grad pay.

I had a question about the new grad pay vs 'nurse pay'. I apologize but I'm a little confused since I'm not out of school yet. When you start as a new grad and they quote you say 19.75 for example, does this increase after just 90 days most places??

Thanks for the help!

QueenCityNurse · Nov 30, 2008

Yes, it does increase; well, at least it does at CMC. After 90 days, it goes up like $.50 or something like that but even before the 90 days are up, if you work nights, you will get the shift diff.