Pay for parking and mandatory retirement contribution as part of position........

[Marshall1]

Have an interview for an RN position at a college...am really wanting out of the hospital settling...they called to confirm the date/time for later this week...she tells me the position is a M-F 8-5, no call/weekends/holidays - which I knew...today though she tells me employees are charged for parking (depending on where it's $25/50 a month) and you have to contribute to the teachers retirement even though I wouldn't be a teacher. The parking fees are not prorated, etc and the retirement you can get back if you leave...this seems like a lot to ask of an employee on top of the low salary - which I think will be about 36K a yr which will be less with the mandatory fees/contributions..I am considering just staying where I"m at PRN until I can find something simliar but not w/the extra costs....Am I looking at this wrong? I know, I know...be grateful to have an interview and a job...but opinions are appreciated!

[llg, PhD, RN]

It is the norm in many industries (education and health care included) for employees to pay for parking. I've worked for several hospitals where free parking was not provided and employees had to pay for it.

As for mandatory participation in the retirement plan ... that happens in many employment settings. It's common in places that are associated with the government in any way, or there is an organization (union or professional association) involved with a contract. They often have better benefits for the employees, but it comes with the stipulation that everyone participate.

In the end, it is like every other job possibility. You have to consider whether or not the "pro's" of taking the job outweigh the "con's."

But as you explore your career options, you will find that many places of employment function differently than hospitals. The 2 particulars you describe seem well within the range of "normal" to me. I remember working for a hospital where I had to pay $20 per month for parking that was often full (when I have to pay per hour out of my pocket for the Visitor's lot) -- and that was back in the 1980's. Considering inflation, your parking fee seems quite reasonable.

Good luck with the interview.

[elkpark]

What you're describing is pretty common, in my experience.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Nope...pretty standard and larger facilities. I once paid $60.00 a month for OFF SITE parking 20 min away from the hospital. They did "provide" a shuttle that went to all off site lots (hourly) and could take up to an additional 40 min just to arrive at the front door....I didn't work there long....

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

I work at major urban teaching facility. Discounted parking for nurses comes to $65 a month. But it is covered parking with ample security.Many places require employees to pay for parking.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

In Tx, Teacher's Retirement is an alternative to Soc Security. You either pay one or the other, not both.

[RNperdiem, RN]

We must be working on the same campus.

Everyone pays to park. Unless you take a park and ride lot parking space far away beyond walking distance.

There might be more flexibility about parking. Ask if there is cheaper parking available, and if you are willing to walk you might get cheaper parking, and the physical fitness that comes with it.

Are you sure about the teachers' retirement plan? Perhaps that is just the name of the retirement plan for all state employees.

When I left full-time work, I just moved my retirement funds into an IRA with an application and a couple of phone calls.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

$25/month is a steal for parking! I do not know of ANY hospitals in the city I work in where parking is free for all employees. At my institution, it is something like $120/month to park at a parking garage 2 miles away and ride a shuttle bus to get to the hospital. On nights and weekends, those employees can park at the garage across the street. Last year, they began mandatory participation in a 403B plan and they automatically signed everyone up at a 2% contribution. The only way to get out of it was to make an account and decrease your contribution to 0.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

Discounted (half price) parking at my last University hospital position was $6 a day. $25 or 50 a month is an uber bargain!! Mandatory participation in retirement plans has been the norm at every place I have ever worked.

[leslie :-D]

also, take into account the probable free education you'd be getting, should you decide to pursue a more advanced degree.

leslie