New Grad, Urgent Care, Salary Questionable, Need Advice. Should I wait for something

Published

I've recently graduate with a BSN and passed boards a few months ago. I've applied to urgent care and got a call today to set up an interview next week. The job description and benefit seems to be pretty good. The problem I'm running into is the pay.

  • Im Bilingual
  • I have 3 years of acute care experience as a CNA and social work
  • BLS certified
  • I live in IOWA
  • dream job: Research or CNS

I am a fast learner and every job I've had, I have been promoted and gotten awards for the kind of work I've done.

The starting pay is $15.30,:no: I was hoping to make a minimum of $20.

Is 15.30 reasonable for the mid west?

If I get the job I know I will get my foot in the door and perhaps getting in to something better. What should I do?

I have a loving and supporting husband that I don't have to work immediately. I can wait but should I just take it if I get an offer? Or should I wait?

This has been the only job I've applied to. :alien: What do you think I should do?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

I work at a clinic in MN and I make $20/hour with a ADN/RN. It does sound a bit low. But at least just go to the interview and see if they give you an offer and if they do can it be negotiated? Otherwise keep looking. But you got to start somewhere. And with new grads having trouble finding work, a job is better than no job, even if the pay is a slap in the face. It will be some experience, which is better than none.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel like I payed so much for school. I could had made more in my previous job. :( My husband agrees with your comment. Job hunting can be hard. Is starting at urgent care a good choice as new grad?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

From my perspective I think an Urgent care would be decent experience as you might get to see a lot of different things and do different procedures. I am in a specialty so I feel like I am forgetting other knowledge, sometimes I do wish I was in primary care or internal medicine so I can keep up on everything.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, Float, Ambulatory, Telemetry (new).

I think you should take it because you need to start getting some sort of experience. A new grad without experience is not marketable. You will only be doing yourself a disservice. But I do not know what the salary rate is like for that area but it is pretty low in comparison to other areas. You can continue to apply to hospitals but for now you should just start working.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mental health, psychiatry.

I think you should take it and keep looking...If you find something that pays more than go. But its hard when you are starting out but with experience will get something good. I graduated last August and passed the boards in October and at first I was picky and now I will take anything. I still havent been able to get a job and its frustrating. I had the company i work for pay for a semester of school so I can't leave the company until August. I don't understand how I work for this company and can't get a job at our hospital but other people I went to school with could. Get what you can because the longer you are out of school the less likely they are to hire you and it sucks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree. I guess I need to make a sacrifice. I'll let you know if I got the job or not

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'd try to negotiate the pay and take the job. Of course keep looking as there are other jobs out there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thats really low for a BSN or any RN for that matter. That's about what I make in a urgent care type clinic and I am a LPN (also live in Midwest). Our RN's make $18-$22/hour. They need to come up a couple, I would counter at $20 and see where that gets ya.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

I'm a LPN in MS. and was paid $17 an hour at the clinic I left a few months ago. The salary you quoted is pretty low for a BSN, but I agree with others as far as taking the job for the experience and apply to other jobs while working at the clinic. I wish you the best.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I also live and work in the Midwest and work in a walk in clinic from time to time. I float. Between family practice and specialty also I started at 22.10 as an rn with an ADN and no float premium. Find out what is normal pay in your area. It also might be a difference if you work for a private facility vs a major health care organization. It seems very low to me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Can you give us an update? It's been a year and I am a new grad wondering. I got a position on a med-surge unit and so far, it isn't really all its cracked up to be - the ratios run 6/7 patients to one nurse. completely overwhelming when you are trying to go from newbie to full fledged staffer in just 12 weeks. considering some other positions, such as urgent care and would love to know how this worked out for you or others!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment