What to do about a low ball job offer

[MostlysunnyRN]

I had to sign up to get feedback from others "in the business." I have nearly a decade of experience as an LPN and I recently passed my NCLEX RN. I've been looking for a job for a little while now, and it's a tough market in my area as in many other places. I have never worked LTC/SNF and have, honestly, never desired to practice nursing in that capacity as a personal preference. Now, however, it seems that LTC/SNFs are the only ones that will give new grads a chance and it's a fight to even get those jobs, so I started applying to a few LTC/SNFs.

I got a job offer from a LTC facility for PRN RN and the pay for new grad RNs is $20. In checking with some of my former classmates, many of whom have no prior nursing or healthcare experience, some have accepted jobs as new grad RNs in LTC/SNFs for around $30-31/hr. The facility that offered me the job approved an "increase" to bring me up to what I was making as an LPN before I left that job to return to school.

I'm waiting to hear from a rehab hospital before I give an answer, but this is just such a low-ball offer to me. We desperately could use the extra income right now but we are getting by each month. I'm worried that this low offer will lower the bar for me for future jobs. I'm also worried about working somewhere where I won't use many of my RN skills (the DON said they rarely ever have IVs, IV fluids, etc.). I'm ready to get back to work--I miss nursing--but I don't want to make a bad decision. Trying to decide if I should take this low-ball PRN job as it's only requiring one 8hr shift per month or if I should hold off and wait to find something else.

Just want to get outside feedback. Thanks in advance.

[nurse4ever08]

If it's prn, just fo it until you get full-time elsewhere

[firstinfamily, RN]

Being PRN is better than not working at all. Yes, the job may not be what you want, but it is better than nothing. It is true you may not use your RN potential, but you will most likely be placed in a position of a charge nurse over current LVNs, so that will be using your leadership skills. I would take it for now and actively look for something more along the RN lines. LTAC would be ideal for now.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Your salary now should not negatively affect future salary at other facilities.

[MostlysunnyRN]

Thanks for the perspective. I do know there's something you can learn from whatever job or situation you're in. I asked for a few days to think the offer over but they just contacted me again with a higher offer, actually over $3/hr more than my prior LPN pay so I'll most likely go for it.

[afterseason, ASN, RN]

Like others have said, I would take it just for the sake of having it while continuing to look elsewhere. As you said, it requires minimal hours, so you'll have plenty of time to dedicate to continuing your search for what you really want.

[Mrs.RNindeed]

Snatch it two reasons. One you keep looking until you find another.

Two you also gain some sort of paid experience while paying bills.

[MostlysunnyRN]

Snatch it two reasons. One you keep looking until you find another.

Two you also gain some sort of paid experience while paying bills.

Both are very good reasons. I'm glad I didn't turn it down right off. It's a tough job market for new grads in most places and even previous LPN experience is absolutely no guarantee that a job hunt will be easier. I'd hate to turn something down and not find anything at all for another few months. Reminds me of what my mom used to tell us "a bird in the hand beats two in the bush," in other words a sure thing is better than a maybe.

[caliotter3]

Thanks for the perspective. I do know there's something you can learn from whatever job or situation you're in. I asked for a few days to think the offer over but they just contacted me again with a higher offer, actually over $3/hr more than my prior LPN pay so I'll most likely go for it.

I think they decided that they need you and that somebody felt ashamed of their lowball offer. Like the others said, take the job and look for the next step up. Every shift you work there will be more RN experience. You probably won't ever have to admit that your X months or years of experience there only really amounted to one shift a month, so make the most of it. Good luck.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I think it depends on your locales typical starting wage. Don't look at the high end but look at the low and high.

In my area, I had new grad friends making $19-$31/hr. I was offered $16/hr. Then, 2 months later offered $22/hr.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I had a similar issue as you. I earned competitive pay during the four years I worked as an LVN in Texas. In fact, during my last year as an LVN (2010), I was up to $27/hour, which is more than what many RNs earn in my city of residence.

I earned the ASN degree and RN licensure in 2010, and multiple places offered starting pay rates that were less than what I had been earning as an LVN. Basically, my previous LVN work experience was worth nothing to them and I was considered a new nurse.

To combat the issue, I worked PRN/per diem as an RN for three years. I was in my late 20s with no expensive health issues, so I didn't need the insurance. My full-time rate would have been $25/hour, but I worked full-time hours under the $36/hourly PRN rate. With night shift differential, my pay bumped up to $40/hourly. With the increased pay I was able to sock away at least $1,000/month for retirement and/or a rainy day fund.

I changed my status to full-time less than a year ago at the same workplace due to a promotion, but I wanted to share my dispiriting story as a new RN with several years of LVN experience in the nursing employment market of four years ago.

[MostlysunnyRN]

I think it depends on your locales typical starting wage. Don't look at the high end but look at the low and high.

In my area, I had new grad friends making $19-$31/hr. I was offered $16/hr. Then, 2 months later offered $22/hr.

I've been in contact with my new grad buddies to check on their job hunts as well, and it seems that the lowest starting rate that I'm aware of has been $26/hr. Everyone is in a variety of settings so it's interesting to see the pay in different job settings. It seems like many outside of the hospitals in LTC/SNFs, Surgery centers, etc have a starting pay around $30-31/hr.

I'm trying to focus more on the job and what I can gain in terms of experience and skills, and not so much the pay. At the same time I don't want to be underpaid if I can help it. Congrats on getting a nice bump up in pay btw!