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.

[MostlysunnyRN]

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 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.

Wow that was just the post I needed to see. Thank you!! I don't need the benefits right now because my husband has awesome benefits so I could definitely just do PRN. It's sad that so many employers won't even give partial credit to years of LPN/LVN experience, even if it's relevant. I would love to be able to have the chance to put some money away and also to pay my way through school again to advance my degree.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Just remember its only temporary! Any job is better than none, keep applying for what you want!!

[AdamantiteEnigma]

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 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.

Yep, this is what I'm afraid of. 13 years as an LPN. 11 of those years working in level 1 and 2 ER's. And another 10 years before that as an EMT/Tech. All of it as absolutely worthless as my Biology and Chemistry degrees.

Not looking forward to this point when I do manage to complete the RN studies and pass the NCLEX.

Thanks for sharing your experience on this. I'd be lying if I didn't admit being absolutely terrified about spending a large chunk of money only to be offered less than I was making previously while in possession of a lower license.

[MostlysunnyRN]

Yep, this is what I'm afraid of. 13 years as an LPN. 11 of those years working in level 1 and 2 ER's. And another 10 years before that as an EMT/Tech. All of it as absolutely worthless as my Biology and Chemistry degrees.

Not looking forward to this point when I do manage to complete the RN studies and pass the NCLEX.

Thanks for sharing your experience on this. I'd be lying if I didn't admit being absolutely terrified about spending a large chunk of money only to be offered less than I was making previously while in possession of a lower license.

I agree that it's a bit scary, but I guess the bright side is that you will have a much higher earning potential over time as a RN in my opinion. Even if you start out with a lower hourly rate in the beginning, there's a much higher chance that you'll surpass your LPN pay within a few years time, if that long.

Besides, as TheCommuter's experience shows, if you're able to work PRN the pay can far exceed what a LPN would make, even if the job duties were very similar. The LPN experience, to me, is valuable in the sense that I have a ton more confidence as a new RN that I doubt I'd have otherwise.

[Overland1, RN]

...and there will be a much smaller gap on your resume.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

Hospitals, and SNF/LTC usually pay the union state rate and the rest, especially docs offices get away with murder. If you need the money take it but know that salary shows an employer how low you're willing to go. I don't put previous salary on my resumes or apps; it's none of their gerd dang business...never been challenged on it either.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

And find out the "rules" regarding PRN status. Some facilities will not offer more than "x" amount of hours to per diems, due to rules about if anyone works more than a certain number of hours, they have to be covered under health insurance. Also find out about how many hours you can expect to work. If they do PRN's only once a week, or twice a month it may be different than what you would need.

I agree that something is better than nothing. To get your foot in the door is a good thing, and will get some experience under your belt. You may want to continue to look for a full time job and keep the PRN as well. Are there any small community hospitals in your area where you can try to get a Med/Surg positon?

Best wishes!

[MostlysunnyRN]

And find out the "rules" regarding PRN status. Some facilities will not offer more than "x" amount of hours to per diems, due to rules about if anyone works more than a certain number of hours, they have to be covered under health insurance. Also find out about how many hours you can expect to work. If they do PRN's only once a week, or twice a month it may be different than what you would need.

I agree that something is better than nothing. To get your foot in the door is a good thing, and will get some experience under your belt. You may want to continue to look for a full time job and keep the PRN as well. Are there any small community hospitals in your area where you can try to get a Med/Surg positon?

Best wishes!

I called the DON once more yesterday before I officially accepted the offer to be sure of hours/shifts. Basically she said I could have whatever I wanted and work as many available shifts as I wanted. :)

It's a fairly large facility, around 200 beds, so I may not have any worries over picking up extra shifts. I've applied to pretty much every large and small hospital in my area. I'm still waiting to hear from the inpatient rehabilitation hospital and I'd really like that job because the pay/experience, from what I've read and heard, would be awesome.

Thanks for the well wishes!

[Thimbalina]

It's easier to get a job while you have a job.