RN Salaries: Hospital vs LTC

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I have been trying to do some research on the pay differences between a new grad RN position at a hospital and a new grad RN position at a LTC facility and have been unsuccessful.

In your area is there a significant pay difference between the two locations? As a nursing student in today's economy I am being realistic and the possibility of not finding a hospital position after graduation (2012) and am just curious on the differences in pay in the different settings.

Thanks to everyone who helps!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I am in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area of Texas. Major hospitals around here will pay new grad RNs base rates that range between $22 and $25 hourly, plus shift differentials for evenings, nights, and weekends.

Nursing homes and LTC facilities in the area will pay a new grad RN between $24 and $30 hourly. However, the nursing homes around here generally do not offer shift differentials or generous raises. Some nursing homes offer the Baylor plan, which involves working 24 hours on the weekend and getting paid for 32 (or working 32 hours on the weekend and being paid for 40 hours).

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

In my area (south Louisiana) the starting base pay is a little less than in Texas, but LTC's generally pay $4 to $5 more per hour than hospitals.

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In north central Florida, the hospitals here pay new grads. hourly from $19.98-$22 + shift differentials. I worked in an LTC that payed ~$26/hr, but no differentials. Some other LTCs in the area do offer differentials, however.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Around the great lakes area, nursing homes generally pay $5 LESS per hour than hospitals.

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Thank you all very much for the information that you've provided! I look forward to reading even more responses.

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When I became and RN, I had been working at a LTC as an LPN. When I went to work at the hospital I made the same pay as I did as an LPN at the LTC. Nursing homes around here (Indiana) usually pay $5 - $6 per hour more than hospitals.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, PACU, Corrections, cardiac.

I worked at a local hospital for around 20 years. Was making pretty good money at the end. Took a position as ADON at a LTC facility. The pay isn't as good (even in management) but the satisfaction is higher. Don't have all the "trauma drama" as in Critical care but am able to get to know the people I care for (even as ADON I get my "hands dirty"). I tell my staff "I'm a working nurse" and they respect that. It's not always about the money. Career satisfaction counts big!

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Specializes in Med/surg, rural CCU.

Wow- I'm shocked to see some LTC pay more than hospitals. Around here the pay for LTC is less. 3 yrs ago I had 2 offers in LTC. One was $18/hr, the other was $21/hr. I started in the hospital making $26/hr.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

It has been my understanding that nursing homes pay less. I am surprised to hear people quote higher rates for nursing homes.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.

Myself, or any RN will be make the same pay rate whether we work in a hospital or LTC (within the public health authority and our respective union collective agreements).

Same hourly, same shift differentials.

ETA: I don't mean an LPN makes the same as an RN. An LPN in LTC will make the same as an LPN in acute care and RN in LTC will make the same as RN in acute care.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
When I became and RN, I had been working at a LTC as an LPN. When I went to work at the hospital I made the same pay as I did as an LPN at the LTC. Nursing homes around here (Indiana) usually pay $5 - $6 per hour more than hospitals.

Not all of Indiana...see my earlier post!

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