Unpaid RN orientation

[mpathg747]

I got a new job as a home health RN. After getting hired I was told orientation consisted of a few UNPAID days shadowing another nurse. I was told it isn't paid because its just to see if home health is for you. Some nurses say thats just the way it is and others say that its illegal to not pay for orientation. There was also about 20-30 minutes of being shown the Kinnser program/OASIS ... Also not paid.

Is this common for home health agencies? FYI: I'm in California. This agency only pay milage above 50 miles and pay rate is according to the type of visit: SOC $85, ROC/Recert/ Discharge $55, RN SN visit (IV, etc) $40. With all the hours of computer documentation its like I took a big pay cut. I've been a nurse over 25 yrs but I feel lost. And If I shadow more until I'm more comfortable then I don't get paid. I desperately need advise.

[enuf_already]

If it's unpaid then that means you are free to come and go as you please because you really aren't working.

To me, no pay = no responsibility or liability regarding patient care. That means I would absolutely not touch, chart on, or in any way associate myself with working, because you are not. You are an unpaid observer. If they tell you any differently, I'd ask them why they are requiring you to "work" without compensation.

For further clarity, check the labor laws in your state.

[mpathg747]

Thank you for the info. Have you heard of other HH agencies who handle orientation this way?

[Libby1987]

Good grief! All of it!

[Mom2boysRN]

Our employees are paid for orientation. I did have someone that had requested to shadow a nurse with me once just to see if she wanted to accept a job.

[RNKPCE]

So you already were offered the job? I can see if you shadowed before being offered the job. Do you get orientation in addition to this "shadowing"?

[toomuchbaloney]

Nope.

If you are a hired employee with an actual employment agreement which includes some form of compensation, then no, you should not expect that your orientation to the position will be unpaid.

As previously stated, if you are not being paid then you can come and go when you please and you should not IN ANYWAY interact with their software, equipment, manuals, etc. Before you are expected to actually provide nursing care there should be a paid orientation to the agency and the care.

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

I got full pay for orientation. I would not touch a pt, documentation, or computer without full compensation. You are not shadowing, you are on orientation. I shadowed a nurse once prior to accepting a position, ie: followed and observed only. Did not expect pay, was for my benefit. Would never touch a pt if not hired.. are they covering you for malpractice if you are 'shadowing'- very shady..IMO

[cdsavannah59, CNA]

I'm not a RN, but I worked home health as a CNA a few years ago ( GA) We also were not paid for orientation. I did not know this until orientation. I think it is unfair that home health agencies can do this to employees. It should be illegal. The only money they seem to pay is if you work for a client, so you really never make money off the agency themselves as far as I recall.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

If the activity is required for employment, then they must pay you at least minimum wage for your time.

If it is unpaid, then legally, it should be optional.

I wouldn't want to work somewhere that is trying to get out of paying for orientation. I'd report the to your local labor authority.

[JustMeRN]

I shadowed 2 visits with a nurse following my interview to get an idea of what is what. That was on my own time. Once you have been offered and accepted a job you can not be asked to train unpaid. If that is the case I would say no and move on if it was an option. If they are trying to take advantage of you now it will only get worse.