To begin, here is a little background about myself. I have three years of experience in a skilled nursing facility. My unit consists of outpatient ER (we continue IV antibiotics), 2 day post op with rehab services, and hospice. Everyday I do admissions, discharges, collaboration with the doctors, woundcare, med pass, Ivs, the whole shebang!! With limited resources.. I am constantly using assessment and critical thinking skills to better help the doctor make decisions on patient care.
While I was there I actually met the don of an esteemed hospital and she wanted me to work for her. She was confused as to why I applied many times and never got any bites so she immediately got me an interview. At this interview I was told I need to be started as a new graduate so I need to wait for new grad positions to open up. It has been months...
What irks me is that I have been an RN with a BSN working for 3 years in a SNF gathering experience and I am still considered a new grad and need to wait for those coveted and very limited spots to open up. Has anyone gone through the same?
This happened to me seven years ago when I moved from inpatient psych to medical oncology. I'd been a psych RN for 15 years, my first two years in home health. There were so few job openings in my area I was too grateful to be considered for a position I'd never ever done at all to even dream of negotiating for a wage that reflected my experience. I do not recommend being that desperate! It was self-defeating
At my first year eval, I spoke to the DON (a very approachable lady) and told her I'd discussed with my manager about having my wages (new RN wages) adjusted to reflect my experience. We have an active nurse's union her in WA state. Both my manager and the DON stated willingness to help me. I did not request ALL of my previous years to be counted year for year, I asked for half that. HR said 'no'. I pointed out to them that the DON had the authority to make a personalized decision regarding wages in spite of the contract. HR said 'no'. I dropped the subject for another year, and went at it again, every year, finally asking a union rep to represent me to HR. The union rep was, well, useless and stopped returning my emails and calls (I heard other similar complaints). I went back to the DON. She spoke to HR, and then wrote me a note apologizing that she really couldn't help me after all. I felt she was being honest with me. It wasn't gonna happen.
Because I signed on the dotted line, this signature was used to shoot down my every attempt, even when the DON was sympathetic to me.
So before you commit (by signing), make sure you are already satisfied with your starting wages.
You will have a greater base wage in acute care, and the differentials for night shift are substantial. You'll make a lot more money already, and it may not really impact your pay as much as it impacts your respect for your previous experience. Which is nothing to disrespect! My example is of . . . really not advocating for myself. And perhaps there was no way I could. I don't regret taking the job at all, I needed to get into acute care for the sake of my career, so I look back on it as unfortunate wage wise but over all a wise move for an old psych nurse who wanted to explore other kinds of nursing.
OP, is a position in a hospital that important to you? Or do you like what you do at present? You could attempt a PRN position I a hospital if you are wanting that experience.
A hospital is not a be all and end all. And I agree with the posters who suggest that it is in an attempt to pay you at the very start of the pay scale. Then, when it becomes apparent that you are an experienced nurse in orientation, you will swiftly be off of the same, and still be paid at step one.
If this rate of pay is equal to or more than what you are making now, then it could be a thought. If it is much less, I would not be thrilled to move into a position just because it is a hospital.
The point about extra orientation is excellent and would likely be worth waiting for although I would insist my wages reflect my experience. If you really want a hospital position I would pursue other facilities if this can not be worked out to your satisfaction. So often we nurses just take what is offered and then complain about how poorly we are treated when it is avoidable. In addition to what they can offer you there is the more important component, imo, of what you can offer them. That is how I approach my interviews and negotiations. Good luck!
My hospital hires SNF nurses as new grads once in a while, too. The ones hired at my place are often motivated to accept the lower pay in exchange for acute care experience. Once they get the experience, they either negotiate a higher wage or they leave for greener pastures.
It seems like employers have the upper hand across most of California. There are too many of us and not enough of them.
No. I was given the same orientation as any new hire experienced med surg nurse. Does your resume reflect the skills you describe ? Especially if you have outpatient ED there. Post op SNF is not the same as post op hospital but has the same assessment skills and more wound care. If you use wound vacs and change them, list it. A lot of hospitals have wound nurses change them whereas SNF the floor nurse does it.
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
I was hired out of a LTC rehab, but I was 10 months out. I loved having almost a year experience and then getting extended orientation. Less stressful. I can't imagine the money would be that big a deal. 3 years exp may mean a dollar or 2. If it is a job you want, I would go for it.
Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.
I was hired out of a LTC rehab, but I was 10 months out. I loved having almost a year experience and then getting extended orientation. Less stressful. I can't imagine the money would be that big a deal. 3 years exp may mean a dollar or 2. If it is a job you want, I would go for it.
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Yes agreed. Traditionally, SNF hires at a lower base pay then Acute care. Even after 3 yrs SNF you still may end up with the same rate of pay you are making now, or even get a boost. But I am not really hearing money as your concern.
So, do consider reaching out to HR and stressing the skills that you have. It did sound like they were interested in you.
Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
In NZ a new grad positions are only open to registered nurses who have graduated in the last 12 months
I'm reading this but can't help thinking: wouldn't those new grad program positions in turn deny you as you have more than 0-6 months nursing experience??
Wow, thank you for all of the responses! :) I am seeing the brighter side to this (I would get a Lengthy and scholarly orientation). I guess I'm just so bummed I'm fighting for the same spot inexperienced nurses are applying for as well. I may not be chosen due to experience... They may feel obligated to pay me more. Well, I guess I will see and I'm glad I'm not the only one that has experienced having to start off as new grad from SNF.
@tenebrae I thought the same but I have had another interview in another state 2 years back that said the same thing... 'We will have to run you as a new grad'. I just didn't think it was all too common. And this current HR Rep knew about my experience and said "I know you aren't a new grad by any means... But coming from a SNF this is how we do things.." She said it like she knew it was undermining. -_-
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
We have a nurse residency program for new grads going into critical care units. Unless a nurse had some good ICU experience, and can prove it, they go through the residency. This is true no matter how many years experience they have in other specialties. They are paid according to their years of experience however. We don't start a nurse with 10 years med-surg experience out at new grad rates.
Gooselady, BSN, RN
601 Posts
This happened to me seven years ago when I moved from inpatient psych to medical oncology. I'd been a psych RN for 15 years, my first two years in home health. There were so few job openings in my area I was too grateful to be considered for a position I'd never ever done at all to even dream of negotiating for a wage that reflected my experience. I do not recommend being that desperate! It was self-defeating
At my first year eval, I spoke to the DON (a very approachable lady) and told her I'd discussed with my manager about having my wages (new RN wages) adjusted to reflect my experience. We have an active nurse's union her in WA state. Both my manager and the DON stated willingness to help me. I did not request ALL of my previous years to be counted year for year, I asked for half that. HR said 'no'. I pointed out to them that the DON had the authority to make a personalized decision regarding wages in spite of the contract. HR said 'no'. I dropped the subject for another year, and went at it again, every year, finally asking a union rep to represent me to HR. The union rep was, well, useless and stopped returning my emails and calls (I heard other similar complaints). I went back to the DON. She spoke to HR, and then wrote me a note apologizing that she really couldn't help me after all. I felt she was being honest with me. It wasn't gonna happen.
Because I signed on the dotted line, this signature was used to shoot down my every attempt, even when the DON was sympathetic to me.
So before you commit (by signing), make sure you are already satisfied with your starting wages.
You will have a greater base wage in acute care, and the differentials for night shift are substantial. You'll make a lot more money already, and it may not really impact your pay as much as it impacts your respect for your previous experience. Which is nothing to disrespect! My example is of . . . really not advocating for myself. And perhaps there was no way I could. I don't regret taking the job at all, I needed to get into acute care for the sake of my career, so I look back on it as unfortunate wage wise but over all a wise move for an old psych nurse who wanted to explore other kinds of nursing.