I work at SNF making $26.25/hr. 12-hour shifts, 3 on 4 off. Flexible schedule (get my vacations when I want them, management very accomodating and I love everyone I work with). But the clientelle is as bad as it gets: homeless, narcs, alcoholics, mental... we don't accept just old people with money. We only accept those every single other nursing home turned down. It's very hard, but I'm used to it.
Recently I had some thoughts this place is not a good long-term place. Pay and schedule are good, but the place is just dangerous, and maybe I could use something less stressful. I thought about applying to other nursing homes, check them out and move to one that meets my needs best (same/better pay+less stress).
I applied to one, they have lots of facilities in many states (to some of which I might want to relocate in the future, so I thought it's convenient to have a job that can transfer you easily to another state). Stated my current rate on their application. Got $27 for on-call (no benefits, obviously) which will turn into $23 with benefits if I go full-time. Did 1-day orientation. Still need to schedule the other 2 days. I thought "ok, will keep this just for the future. not going to go full-time". Nicer place than mine, only 15 pt per nurse (I've got 26), but lots acute too.
Two days later I got a call from another nursing home, this time it's a high-end, luxury private pay place. Very luxury, very easy to work in, nice place for long-term work. They offered me on-call job, I thought "why not". They mentioned the possibility for going full-time soon. I went for orientation there too today. Always wanted to work there... but... salary wasn't discussed during initial interview a week ago (I didn't bring it up). However I did state on application my current rate and expected rate - I put $28-32. Before going for orientation I made firm decision that when they tell me the rate, if it's below what I make now (26), I will not accept the job. The only problem, they threw the whole orientation at me before I even got a chance to ask about my rate. At the end of orientation, I finally asked them... $23 plus 2 for not having benefits=$25. I was asked "is it ok?"... I didn't have the courage to say "no" because, well, I was already hired and went through the day, so I just shrug and said "I guess so". Very disappointed with myself.
Let's make it clear. My current job is my home. It's a tough place to work, but I got good pay, excellent schedule, flexibility, and, well for overtime, I get $40/hr (time and a half). So there's no incentive for me to work on call anywhere else, even if it's easier. If I knew that I'd get $23, I probably wouldn't even bother to apply. Now my place don't raise much... since I worked there I got 25 cents raise last year (less than a percent). We've got a new admin who looks like he won't be don't much in this regard, there's a chance I might get stuck with my current rate for years. I know second place does raises... at least they did years ago when my wife worked there. They're also 8-hour shifts, rotating schedules (I have fixed days now), and, as I said, too strict about everything, so no flexibility like I have now. But much, much easier work. Maybe 5% of what I do now.
So there... I feel burdened by all these on-call jobs. To put it simply - I don't need them, as I only looked for the as trials to see if I want to move to other places. But I always thought other places will match your rate by default. I have bills and absolutely no desire to cut my income. I don't know what to do with these jobs. I'll have to finish orientations (which means no days off for probably 2 weeks), and then... I don't know, work in each place once a month just to keep myself on a roster? Or just stop working after a while if I find out those places aren't really worth the pay cut? Three bucks is a lot, could be 3 years of raises...
Any advice/insight would be helpful and appreciated. If any of you been in the same position, let me know how it worked out for you.
