State hospitals?

Hi all,

I am about to graduate and have been offered a job (tentatively) in a state psych hospital. My clinicals were in a private hospital's psych facility, so I'm wondering if anyone has any personal experience on the major differences? How about the pay? More or less? Thanks.

I was offered a job at a state psych hospital also. I do not start until Dec. but i was offered $26/hour plus 18% shift diff for nights and 8% shift diff for weekends.

That sounds GOOD for a new grad especially! I was looking around online at state employee salaries and really wasn't expecting anywhere near that. Things are so different in each state that there's really no telling, but I hope it's that much.

I work in an outpatient psychiatric clinic for the state Mon-Fri (8 hour days) and make $30/hr.

I work in an outpatient psychiatric clinic for the state Mon-Fri (8 hour days) and make $30/hr.

So, how many years/classes do you have to take in order to completely be consider in..?

i'm state (GA) and get $46000 annually plus 13% shift (3-11) and extra 5% weekends (two a month). Works out to about 53000 annually or average $25.48 BUT you get 12 paid holidays (if you work you get comp time) and then 2 weeks sick leave and 2 weeks vacation...oh yeah and overtime is time and a half but you have to keep up on it or they try and pay you in comp time.

I also work at a state hospital. Sadly, we nurses don't get paid as well in the South as compared to other parts of the country I hear. I made about $52000 a year starting out. From talking to others from the same area, its relatively the same amount of pay as a regular hospital. A lot of people want to work for the state because you accumulate so much personal time. But beware, state hospitals are known to get the worst of the worst patients. I went into psych nursing because I love psych but it's not for everyone. Anyways good luck on your job search!