Question on Pay, New Nurse

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I have a question. I went for an interview for my first nursing job. We did not talk about pay or benefits. We mainly discussed my availability for weekends, what area in the facility I am most interested in working in and what orientation entails. The DON was not available so I was told she may get in touch with me for a second interview. She did call and I did go in but it wasn't so much of an interview. At no point was I told I had the job but I was handed an employee packet and my identification was copied, TB test was done we discussed everything else that I would need to be up to date on physical, Immunization etc. I was a little confused because I was anticipating that if the facility wanted to hire me they would discuss what is expected, how many shifts I would need to cover and what the rate of pay was. It wasn't until I got home that I noticed the offer on the back sheet of the packet. The pay is quite low with only $1 diff for weekends and $3 for weekdays. It is listed as a Casual Float position. Which I am completely fine with at this time. Is this how the normal process tends to be? Also Is it usual for the weekend diff to be less than a weekday? It does not specify any particular shift for the diff. I understand the starting pay for a new nurse tends to be lower but if I start out as low as it is noted I would not be able to work with this company full time and pay my bills. I will be handing in my completed packet so at that time I was going to discuss how the pay schedule goes once the orientation is over. Any information anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

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Some facilities don't pay a shift differential at all, others a nominal amount for weekends, evenings and overnights. Some pay better. Varies greatly, mostly dependent upon how much need they have to staff those times, and whether staffing is an issue in general.

I'm not sure what you mean by "$3 diff for weekdays"; weekdays are the NON-differential shifts, as they are the norm. The "differential" is between the norm and the off-hours shifts. Did you mean week NIGHTS?

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The paper that is filled out states shift diff $3.00 during wk, $1.00 wkends. They have day, evening and night shift available as well as casual/per diem. They stated they have openings due to some nurses leaving to continue education.

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I am just wondering, in comparing pay to COL, when you say the FT wages wouldn't pay your bills do you mean your standard rent, utilities and maybe a modest car payment?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Definitely ask questions to clarify the work hours and pay before you agree to work there. It may simply be that each person you have talked to thought that someone else had already covered that information.

Once you have all the information you need, then decide whether or not to accept the job.

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I currently have a full time non nursing job that pays well. At some point I was hoping to leave my current job and do nursing full-time. I currently have a mortgage that I pay myself and cell phone bill, gas etc. my husband pays the utilities, childcare, groceries etc. I also pay anything that he is unable to cover as well as any entertainment. I also cover medical for the family. I would be taking a pay cut regardless but my hope was that the pay would be at least $23 an hour here in the Northeast to start. Then maybe as I got experience I would make more. As it stands now it would less per hour than my husband makes which would mean I may not have enough to cover my current mortgage payment. I have had the house since 2006. I owe more than it is currently worth so selling it at this time is not an option. I will ask about the pay when I go back. If they continue to hire me I will just work weekends for them. This way I will gain experience.

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Specializes in PACU, pre/postoperative, ortho.

I'm thinking the $1 weekend diff may be in addition to the shift diff. Definitely ask some more questions.

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Yes, I found out weekends are an additional $1 on top of the $3 diff given for the 3-11pm week shift. 😀

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