Private Office Pay for RN's

suzanne4, RN · Jul 18, 2005

Where you live will play a great part as to what your pay is going to be, you didn't specify this.

Also what responsibilities will you have? Are you also going to be the office manager, the only RN or nurse? These come into play also. Is it a general pediatrics office, is there only one physician or is it a group practice?

With information alone that you provided, it is going to be quite difficult for anyone to answer your question.

ConfusedRN · Jul 21, 2005

I recently accepted a job in a private physician's office (Pediatrics), and will be leaving hospital nursing (which I have done for four years). I understood that there would be a cut in pay, but I was wondering if anyone out there has done the same? What was your pay cut? Do you enjoy the work better than in the hospital? What do offices normally pay RN's?
Any information would be greatly appreciated!

BabyRN,

I worked Med-Surg in the hospital setting for about 6 months and absolutely hated it. Before I passed the NCLEX I had been working as a CMA in a large Family Practice office (almost 5 years there). When I switched to full time as RN in the office, I wasn't the supervisor or anything. I took about $1.50/hr pay cut. In the hospital, I worked nights, so it was the shift differential that really made the pay cut seem major. Overall, I am truly happier now, better hours, etc..

ConfusedRN

meanlilnurse · Jul 22, 2005

Well, I went the opposite way! I worked in a multi-dr family practice office, as a "back office nurse" where I made 1/2 of what I started in the hospital!

(dr office = 10.50/hr hospital 20.00/hr) PLus no benefits to speak of... little vacation time, 3 days/yr sick time that did not roll over, and boredom from the same old stuff every day!

But, I was offered a job as office manager/RN for a corporate owned dr office at 16/hr at the same time that I recieved the offer from the hospital! Luckily, I took the hospital job as the dr that I almost went to work for is only in it for the money...! As my dh says, there would have been more than a few times of my putting docs' hinny in a sling. (And then looking for another job.)

you see, the red hair may be fake, but the attitude is real.

ssi9699 · Aug 3, 2005

I have worked as a solo nurse in a very busy single-doc practice in OH. In 1992 I was paid $18/hr. Was offered a position in 2005 to be RN for one doc in a 10-12 doc practice for $15/hr in VA. Was offered a solo RN job for a solo specialty practice just establishing which required out of town conferences, traveling, marketing, luncheons, and presentations on my own along with insurance work, gov't statistics, estab support groups, and, oh yeah, the actual clinical nursing part of the job, too. It was a mgmt job (salary) that I turned down at $25/hr, it was worth about $30 min in this market for that level of commitment. That was not an "office nurse" job, it involved much much more. Know what the job actually entails. 6 mo later the practice was transfered to another arm of the corporation and I was offered the same job for $18/hr. Point is, the SAME job in the SAME town in the SAME year fluctuated from 18 to 25/hr. And THAT is WITH office experience and over 20 yrs RN experience in that particular field of medicine (and recent medical marketing experience). You will find a few smart docs that will hire hospital nurses they know and trust and match their hospital pay because after a time they realize a good nurse in the office is worth the pay. We can make their life so so much easier, and high turnover (for all staff) in offices are very common. You really have to know how to read the doctor, know when to stop pestering the doc make a decision on your own and when it's appropriate to put it in his/her lap. You have to love teaching. I found office work to be MORE demanding physically than the floor and much more hectic and stressful! There is an incredible urgency and time factor in a busy office; angry patients, distressed ones, dirty ones, pitiful ones, wild children, etc. I loved the work and learned so much so quickly.There is a certain predictability to look forward to, but I still advise a new grad to get some basic hospital experience. It will give you a foundation of organizational skills, time management, and confidence. It will help when you counsel patients in the office, too, as many of them will end up in the hospital for surgery, procedures, etc. I have worked alongside a number of nurses who have always worked in offices and now are orienting to a hospital position and the majority have an extremely difficult time transitioning. The transition from hospital to office is much smoother, but anticipate you will sacrifice the pay. Money isn't everything. Also, working at the hospital can give you ideas of who has reputations of being hard to work for, or great to work with! Quietly getting the word out that "if you ever need another office nurse, Dr. Snedly, you let me know!" may not lead to a job with Dr. Snedly, but if you develop a good rapport and reputation with him, he may refer you to a colleague. And those jobs are the ones that the doctors are more likely to offer you a higher salary for.

Annor · Aug 18, 2005

I am a LPN...working for a plastic surgeon on Long Island.....$21.00/hour

I have been there over a year...

Great job

Annor :nurse:

I recently accepted a job in a private physician's office (Pediatrics), and will be leaving hospital nursing (which I have done for four years). I understood that there would be a cut in pay, but I was wondering if anyone out there has done the same? What was your pay cut? Do you enjoy the work better than in the hospital? What do offices normally pay RN's?
Any information would be greatly appreciated!

abbyRN · Aug 29, 2005

I recently accepted a job in a private physician's office (Pediatrics), and will be leaving hospital nursing (which I have done for four years). I understood that there would be a cut in pay, but I was wondering if anyone out there has done the same? What was your pay cut? Do you enjoy the work better than in the hospital? What do offices normally pay RN's?
Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Babyrn1301,

You have to work with your supervisor to make the office job work for you. I really miss the hospital after starting my office job (i've been here 2 yrs), but due to location its too hard to go back. I do very few nursing skills here. I supervise MAs, do a lot of paperwork and phone triage. I used to do med refills and referrals. I didn't think it was appropriate for a nurse to do this so we handed it down the MAs and I'm working on patient education more now. its a little better. I started @ $16. an hour and I didn't supervise now I'd still be making that. I was making about $20 in the hospital in a different state. Good luck. ~Abby

DyeRN · Oct 23, 2005

I am an RN, have been since february 2005,I work in a telemetry/med surg unit where I can say I have gotten some experience but I know I still have so much to learn.I was recently offered an RN position in a plastic surgeon office/surgery center where I will be doing amongst other things pre and post op assessment, stiches removal etc.I am exited but at the same time I know I still need a lot more experience which I will only adquire working in a hospital.I am concerned that I am going to stay behind when it comes to nursing skills.I still dont know how much he will be paying but I was told money will be good do you guys have any idea?I work night shift, make 25.60 +differencials .Please advise

Annor · Oct 23, 2005

I love working for a PS....I am a LPN working on Long Island...

You will learn a whole new way of nursing...you will be learning alot .

I knew NOTHING in this field of plastic surgery.....I learned everything working on the job.

any questions ...ask me

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Oct 24, 2005

I have friends (RN's) who work in private practice offices and they earn about $22.00/hr. I had one doctor offer me $25/hr but I told him I didn't want to work Mon-Fri and besides I make more at the hospital. He said "I don't think my wife would let me pay you anymore, sorry". I said "were cool".

RNinChicago · Oct 26, 2005

MD offices / clinics do not have the deep pockets that are present in hospitals, universities, and other institutions. With malpractice on a continuous rise and reimbursement (Medicare & Insurance) on a continuous decline, profit margins are getting smaller and smaller. The physicians are not earning what they once did. Unfortunately, the MDs aren't able to increase our salaries when they see their salaries remain the same or even decline. Sad, but true.

Annor · Oct 26, 2005

Come on!!

Dont be so sad for the MD.....they still drive around with Mercedes,BMW's or/and Lexus.....how about all the vacations they take..and dont forgot the beautiful homes.....

I think they can afford to up our salaries....