visiting nurse vs. hospital nurse

U.S.A. Massachusetts

Published

I just heard from a friend that a nurse who does visiting nurse gets $40/hr. The hospital pay rate I know is around $27/hr. I don't understand why some nurses prefer hospitals instead of being a visiting nurse if the pay scale is so good as a visiting nurse. I am confused. Can anybody point out the con or pro as hospital nurse or visiting nurse?

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Specializes in SICU, ER, MEDICAL.

Very interesting topic :) I would also like to know what others think

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I bet she gets paid $40 a visit.....which is suppose to be an hour, paper work is extra and money used for gas,

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In my opinion, the $40/hr could be per patient/visit on a weekend schedule, or if the person was doing overtime.

The Caritas VNA that I talked to said that the staff gets reimbursed for every mile they drive. It's a few cents per mile and the RN told me that it's more than enough to cover the gas used per mile, etc.

The VNA's RNs also said they make less here than if they were to work in a hospital. [but of course, their schedules would not be so flexible so they preferred VNA.] So, that $40/hr might not be a normal everyday thing. However, I do not work at a VNA so I don't know the exact numbers! :)

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I highly doubt it's $40 per visit . . .

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I highly doubt it's $40 per visit . . .

My friend from school is a VNA and gets $35 per hour. She visits this one patient from 7am - 1pm 3-4 days a week.

She said yes the money is good, but she is bored and would prefer a hospital job, but is having a hard time finding one in Boston.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

There is a difference between being a nurse that is intermittent (visiting) vs. being "staffed" in the home. An intermittent visiting nurse may see a patient for 1 hour a day for things such as vac dressing changes or IV infusion or IV dressing changes or flushes. The pay is based on the type of visit whether it be a start of care visit which takes longer vs. a regular visit for 1 hour. My organization pays travel time, visit time, and paper work time . The nurses can either use the company cars or be paid mileage using their own car.

Home visiting nurses can face dangers, driving in bad weather, and the lack of back up if a patient is not doing well. There is also overnight call and weekend work.

I find this type of nursing very rewarding and challenging. :wink2:

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