Requesting feedback on hospice job offer

[Peachpit]

I recently received an offer for a Case Manager position from a hospice and am not 100% sure about accepting it and would like feedback from others.

The position is FT M-F 8-5, salaried with a bonus. Mileage is based on total miles for the week after current gas prices are checked w/Rand McNally site (which I have never heard of paying mileage this way). They provide tablet/phone and two sets of scrubs. Because the company logo is on the tops and the colors are specific to the company any additional scrubs or uniform items I would need to purchase directly from the company. 

There is a triage team for the whole company so the on call nurse doesn't triage.  For this position call is required every 3rd week for the entire week. Primary call is during the week (Mon- Thur) then drop to backup for the on call weekend nurse that comes on Fri at 5 pm and stays on as primary until Monday at 8 a.m. Call is $400 "just for having the phone" then additional pay if I would actually go out. As of now I am still waiting to hear back from the recruiter what that pay is.

The salary was originally 75K plus a 15K bonus and only 1-2 nights during the week of call but when the offer came in I was offered 72K and 5K bonus and the week of call. I declined the offer because it was so different from what I had discussed w/the recruiter and the person I interviewed with. I had also made it clear during the entire interview process I did not mind helping w/call but I wasn't going to work FT CM AND take on a lot of call. So they came back w/an offer of 80K with a 15K bonus (have to stay FT for 2 yrs or pay back percentage of bonus based on time already worked) but they won't budge from the week long call. 

This hospice is multi-state but  is new in this area  The census is 10. They have hired one other nurse and there is a Director who up until they hired the other nurse, was working alone doing everything but she is out on leave so I never met her and it sounds like its up in the air as to her return. Right now the office is being staffed by nurses from another state until local staffing is stable. 

I was also told the orientation will take place at two different offices both of which are 3 hours one way from where I live for "one to two weeks" and they will pay the accommodations even though there are other offices much closer to my home. This also varies from what I was initially told which was the 2 day orientation would be virtual since it's held in another state and the field orientation would be 1-2 days at another office that would be "regionally beneficial" so I could drive back and forth for those 2 days then continue on w/the orientation locally with the director.

While the money/bonus are great for the job and I get this is a new office for this area for the company, it just seems like a lot of red flags or maybe this is just how hospice is now? 

Thanks for your feedback. 

 

[Peachpit]

Anyone?

[BethLintonRN]

Wow, a lot going on for this job.  I worked 12 years in hospice and what you are talking about seems over the top.  The last hospice I worked for, I was PRN and helped with oncall initially because they were short staffed. Once back to full staff, I stopped doing it.  The full time case managers were burned out, overworked, and typically didn't last long. If I were you, I would probably look elsewhere.

[Joan Troyer RN BSN]

I also spent 7 years in Hospice nursing. I did try what you are being offered and it lasted only 2 weeks for me, as what they told me it would be was not at all what it was ending up being. If you have Hospice experience and know what it involves, then I would say, try it. But go in with eyes open and be warned that the money may look nice, but you will work more than you want possibly.

[Peachpit]

You have only solidified what I already was thinking which was while the money/bonus was good, the overall offer/expectations are too high/not sustainable.

I read reviews on some job site for this particular company as well and they were, across the board, negative.

I am going to decline the offer tomorrow. 

Thank you both for your replies. I genuinely appreciate it.

[BethLintonRN]

You are very welcome and I wish you all the best!