Taking a hit in the wallet for experience?

[Knuckles31]

Just got done with an interview for Harbin Clinic and it went well until we started discussing the salary. She told me that they start out at 13.50 at specialty offices and 12.50 at general clinics. She saw that I was uncomfortable with that especially since I'm currently working PRN at a nursing home, for 18.50 (which I've been called in only once so far) so she put me down as a LPN level 3 which get paid 15.00 per hour but my chances of getting hired are lower. I do understand that I'm a new grad and I don't really have alot of demand right now due to being inexperienced....So I have considered taking the job solely for the experienced...and also because I hate the PRN schedule. In the end at the rate of them calling me in for the PRN job, my income is roughly the same and Harbin's benefits are much better. Should I hold out for a better job or bite the bullet and take the job at Harbin...which is Full time by the way.

[scottaprn]

Does the full time job offer benefits? Don't forget to include those when weighing salary.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Does the full time job offer benefits? Don't forget to include those when weighing salary.

You have a salient point. Benefits are typically worth about 25 to 30 percent of an employee's overall compensation package; thus, full-time workers tend to receive a lower pay rate than their PRN/per diem counterparts.

[Knuckles31]

Yeah the benefits they offer range from Health , Dental, Life and long term disability insurance, 10 paid vacation days, holidays off and paid for, sick days that roll over, free uniforms (up to 200 dollars worth annually), free use of their gym. It does sound good when I list it out, but is it worth the low pay especially since the insurance will be taken out of my pay check every 2 weeks?

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Well you can do both.. Work PRN the LTC (since they have only called you in once anyway) on the days you have off from the clinic position.

[jesskalpn]

As long as you can live on the compensation from the full-time job, it might be a good move for your resume.

[Knuckles31]

Yeah I have considered working both since it is a PRN position. I'll have to see what the LTC facility says about limiting my call ins to only my off days. Combined with the benefits it can be something I can live on until I run into something better.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I'll have to see what the LTC facility says about limiting my call ins to only my off days.

Since the LTC position is PRN, simply tell them to only call you on your days off. PRN positions are supposed to work around your availability. Good luck to you.

[notmanydaysoff]

"I do understand that I'm a new grad and I don't really have alot of demand right now due to being inexperienced"

Hmmmmm, let's see....little experience, benefits, vacation, SL, free use of gym, uniform allowance, etc., a PRN job where you've only been called once to work...

YOU'RE BEING OFFERED A FULL-TIME JOB and you're wondering if you should take it?

Personally, I'd take it. I tell folks just getting out of school or college, to take a job, (almost) any job to get started. Get your foot in the door, get experience, and at some point, move on.

First jobs are not always the easiest to come by. Go for it. Whilst pay rate is important, there are many other factors that need to be considered. It pays to be more circumspect (and philosophical) when making decisions.

I am not a greenhorn. I'm working on a second career. I retired from my first one and went back to college 4 yrs ago and had to start over again. LVN I Step 3 (they gave me a couple steps because of my previous experiences and education), per diem, crappy schedule, no benefits. Now I'm FT and benefited.

[alanyse88]

i'd take it and keep the prn. Once you have so experience under your belt you can go somewhere else and demand more pay.