URGENT!!! Question about job offer! Please help!

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Specializes in OB.

Hello! I just had an interview for a Home Health Case Manager. They offered me the job. Now, I have decisions to make! I told them I'd get back to them in 48 hours.

First of all, I have no home health experience other than as an aide for a year or so, before becoming an RN. I've been an RN for 10 1/2 years, almost all in OB. I am in a rural area so pay is not as high as more urban areas. I've been doing a Bailor for several years and just had my yearly pay raise, so will be at $22.60/ hour.

The OB where I work is getting to not be a very fun place to work, if you know what I mean. Politics, less than friendly coworkers, bad management, etc. Plus, I'd love to get off weekends. So...

the home health offer was for full time at $22/hour + paid gas, or the option of $32/visit ($46/visit for admissions) + gas. On call weekends every 3rd or 4th. No 401 K in place yet, but she says there will be one within 6 months or so. What do you think? Am I supposed to just accept (or decline) this offer at face value or do I "counter-offer" for a higher pay? If so, what would be a reasonable counter? A cousin of my husband's has been an aide here for years and says it's a pretty good place to work. They will cover 80% of insurance for me, but I really don't need it since my husband has me covered. Would that be a potential area to negotiate? Say, if I don't use the insurance benefit, I would get a rate of $35/visit? (I'll also have increased day care expenses to consider.)

Please let me know what you experienced home health nurses think!! I'm excited about the possiblity of a change, yet nervous, too! I've worked for my current employer for almost all of my nursing career, so it's scary to be considering moving on!

Thanks in advance!!

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One can always negotiate one's compensation but I would be put off myself trying to explain the lack of experience in home health. I always sell myself short. You should emphasize your years of experience and assessment skills and willingness to learn.

For me, I would opt for the hourly pay versus the per visit pay. Consistent pay checks that way. Unless they are very, very poor you should try for nothing less than $25-$28/hr. JMO based on what I've heard and seen about salaries. Good luck.

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Specializes in OB.

Thank you for the reply. I forgot to mention that the interviewer guaranteed me 30 visits/week. That would average out to $24/ hr if working 40 hours = 30 visits, being paid by the visit. I know they are growing rapidly and are in great need of additional nurses, also.

You're right, I do tend to sell myself short. I know I can do this job and they would be lucky to have me because I'm honest, loyal, and motivated. (Why don't I say things like that out loud??)

After crunching some numbers, I think I could come out ahead with even $33/visit, if I chose that route. I'll have to calculate how much I'd need if I chose the hourly route.

Thanks again,

Britte

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If you are being guaranteed 30 visits per week (in writing) that is a different story. Then all you have to do is refine your work so that you are not putting in too many extra hours. The paperwork and follow-up can take a lot of extra time. If you look in the home health and agency forums you will see a lot of posts from people complaining because they were being taken advantage of regarding their pay/work. I just do straight shifts. Don't have to worry about figuring that stuff out! Good luck. Sounds like you are getting into something good. (I like home health.)

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