New RN Grad's First Job - $23/hr. Is this a rip off?

[mfr69]

So after 3 months, 50+ applications to hospitals, doc offices, agencies, nursing homes.... I finally got my first job as a Registered Nurse at a nursing home and rehabilitation center in Chicago. The pay is $23 per hour with benefits or $25 per hour without benefits. I have heard from other people that the starting salary for RNs in Chicago is usually $25-27 per hour. I was so desperate to get a job so I accepted the offer but of course, I asked the DON why it's so low compared to other places. She tells me that I am new with no experience. OK, I just graduated so fine, I understand.

I started the job 3 days ago. I am appalled to see how they practice nursing!! I know that clinical theory is very different from actual practice but my gosh (!!) I see so many things screaming lawsuits and citations. Also,

I come in at 7am and I am on my feet (NO KIDDING!!) non-stop until 1230pm. At 1pm, I'm back on my feet until 3. Basically, I give, give, give medications. They don't even take vitals. They told me that if they stop and take them, they'd be there all day and they don't pay overtime.

For the past 3 days, on my way home, I feel so dejected and depressed. As soon as I get home, I put my feet up and nurse my achy feet. As much as I would love to keep on applying for hospital jobs, I have no energy left in me to do so. It's only been 3 days---- and I'm already complaining. WOW. It's soooo not like me.

Anyway, I just wanted to vent. And I guess, I'd like to ask around... is $23 per hour for RN job too low? I know there's recession and all and I'm so desperate for a job. I am beginning to think that it's not even worth it. Before nursing school, I made the same amount per hour and I was sitting. Am I giving up so quickly?

[snowy31]

I just accepted a position as a new grad RN, but have been a CMA for 7yrs and an LPN for 1yr. Salary pay 45/yr plus about 3-4 bonuses a yr. Is this a rip off? Doing drug research

[kittykatty]

Where are you at Snowy? That sounds great-- anymore jobs like that around?

[caliotter3]

You have a job and it is not $17 or $19 an hour. I would continue to look for something better while spending the paychecks you are presently getting.

[SPower82]

Snowy, that sounds like fair pay to me as long as it has benefits. average for RNs like i said in my previous post is 26 an hour. at 45 a year you are right around that.

RNs involved in research should get in the low 60s but since youre a new grad RN that pay is fair to start off with.

Snowy, is that the position that was listed at University of Chicago on monster.com. forgive me if im being too nosy.

[ChocoCakeRN]

sorry to hear that mfr69. It sounds like you are going through a tough time. I hope things are a little better now?

[dj4kids]

$23 is not the greatest but it is better than zero. I worked LTC with 45 residents med pass for $18 and all the garbage you could take from management. As for being on your feet buy good shoes,eventually the ache works it way up to your knees and hips. Real life is nothing like clinical (thank GOD) but make sure you dont lower your standards like others (it's easy to do) but learn to leave work at work and not bring it home after awhile family & friends get tired of hearing it

[Aviationurse]

45 resident med pass:eek:....i tell you at night it is 70 to x1 RN in my experience in last nursing home job....upper management love to breathe on your neck all day..have you punch out and continue job.... nursing home administrator stabbing staff in the back and firing left and right.....his policy is that a lot of RNs (seasoned/new grads) are running to the nursing home because of the current econonmy so i guess for me it means they can abuse staff as much as they want too bec of the volume of nursing applicants :banghead:

[dj4kids]

hey rockandrollrn sounds like we worked at the same place, you are right at nite it is 70 plus per RN but they sleep all nite right (LOL)

[mfr69]

thank you all for the comments/advice/response to my question. i did ask my schoolmates that i graduated with (last MAY)-- they are now getting jobs too. there was a hiring freeze in chicago and it was very difficult to find jobs a couple months ago. now, i see a lot more openings. anyway, from what i gather, $23/hr is indeed lower than most pay rates in this area. the nursing home where i work at is in the northside of chicago. anyway, i stuck it out, bought a good pair of shoes, compression socks and all. it helped a little and i got to know the residents in the nursing home so i've been working a little faster. here comes the good news: i got a job offer at a hospital. better pay, better benefits, better hours and better potential for experience. i've accepted it and will be starting in 2 weeks. i have a lot of guilt for leaving my current job since i feel that they have trusted me and given me the opportunity to start my career as a new RN but i have to think of what is best for me in the end.

again, thanks to all!

[ntw523]

Hello mfr69 - thank you for posting the great news. Congratulations on your new job :) It is very good to hear some positive news on this forum. I got enrolled in a program that starts summer 2010. But after listening to all the negative stuff on this website, I had started to have second thoughts. Do you mind sharing what you and your friends make? You dont have to be specific...just a range would be good too. It will help me make my decision a little easier....thanks...and congratulations again!!!!

[mfr69]

hi jan_angel, most of my schoolmates/friends started with $25-26/hr at nursing homes in chicago area, hospitals start at $26-27, i heard. my nursing home started me on $23/hr w/ benefits (7 paid vacation days per yr, paid holidays, option for health and life insurance). as i work at the nursing home, i found out that some of the nurses there actually have not received a raise in 2 yrs, their rates are higher than mine (because of their experience, i bet), and if you work nights, you won't get night differential, if you work past your designated time- you won't get paid for that either. so, if you get an admission 10 mins before you punch out, you're basically working for free. they won't assign that admission to another nurse because you are the only nurse on the floor.

this new job, starts with $27/hr w/benefits (28!!!! paid vacation days per year, tuition for school, options for a variety of insurances you can have, PLUS night differential of $3-6/hr depending on the hour, PLUS $2/hr if you are working on a weekend). it sounds great...but it's really not ALL ABOUT the money, i think the best value is the fact that i have great potential to learn more and experience more in this hospital. i was feeling so dejected working at that nursing home coz i spent most of my time giving meds and not enough assessment and and of course, it didn't help to know that i was getting paid a lot less than my friends that i graduated with. this new job is a dream-- i can't wait to start orientation next week. i'm sure it won't be perfect but i'm sure it's a lot better than what i have now.

good luck with your schooling. i hope my reply to your q helps a little :) i am a new RN and i'm still in a very awkward state, learning the ropes and all-- but so far, i have to say that i am glad i went into nursing. i get this wonderful feeling whenever i see my patients feeling better today than yesterday.

[ntw523]

Hi mfr69 - you sound very excited for your new job. I am so happy for you:yeah:I hope that this job does turn out to be something that you enjoy.

And thank you for the information that you provided. I agree that in the end it is not ABOUT the money, but at the same time I would like to know what my realistic expectations should be. I understand that with the current economy, finding a job has got real hard. Nursing will be my second career. The hardest thing for me to decide is am I willing to let go of the experience and salary that I have earned so far, and start from scratch...I know this is something only I can decide. But all the information helps. Agains thank you so much.