RN Benefits/medical/employer, etc

[RNWannaBe724]

Hello.. I am beginning to complete my pre-req's for the RN program.. and I thought I'd ask what the employer benefits usually are? I know they vary from place to place and type of environment one is employed, but just wondering if anyone could share their knowledge and experience of what benefits generally are offered in terms of health benefits and employer benefits such as 401k or others?

Thanks for any replies!

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

Just my experience as someone who was a state employee in another career for 10years, became a nurse, worked private/for profit/non-profit jobs until I got a state gov't nursing job. I haven't exactly seen it all in terms of benefit programs but darn close.

I found generally ok health plans offered by hospitals. Nothing special. I worked for 5 different hospitals and they all had horrible retirement packages. Even if they had a pension plan it was so low funded (maybe 1-2 % of your income) it wasn't worth much. I did much better at a major insurance company where I did case mgt. There, I got dental, vision, great insurance and a 8% funded pension, plus a 401 K match to 10%.

Now as a state employee, I have terrific benefits. Traditional pension funded (by the state) at between 16-20% of my income per year. Full health and dental with some vision. Unlimited sick time that rolls over after doubling to pay for retirement health care. Sabbatical leave. Fully paid long term disability insurance.

I'd encourage you to ask a lot of questions about retirement planning. Many hospitals figure that nurses will come and go and don't care. You are smart to make this a priority. I've been at the retirement parties for nurses who are going to get a whopping 150$ a month in pension and wow, that isn't pretty.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I have worked in two states and three hospitals. Benefits are based on local markets, even if the hospital is owned by a national company. I pay $35 for each MD visit up to $500/yr. I pay $30 for a 30-day supply of meds but only $60 for 90 day supply. Dental work is free, & my premium is $3/mo! (routine stuff, but they paid all but $250 for oral surgery last year). Staying in the hospital or getting lab done as out-patient, or mammo, x-ray, etc. are free. Just have to pay MD and other non-hospital employees. I pay about $45/mo premium. I have life insurance twice my salary at no cost to me and a 401K which the company matches up to 6% of gross salary. I think our package is generous. No union by the way.