What is a reasonable salary to expect?

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2003

Is your company non or for profit? Rural or metro?

renerian

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Dec 7, 2003

Hospice type organizations are able to receive HMO and Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, same as hospitals. Hold out for a good salary--they can afford to pay you what you are worth. Let them!

I wouldn't take the hourly paycut either--remember, they don't hesitate to charge the patient, they are making a profit or they wouldn't be in this business, save your charity and kindness for your patients and their families.

You are going to be giving your patients, and consequently your employer, a lot of your energy and soul--if you are not properly compensated, you will begin to tax yourself, and that's not a good thing. Gotta take care of you so you can take care of them!

It is wonderful to be able to do that work--it's what I would like to do eventually myself. Best....

Briar · Dec 7, 2003

To answer the earlier question: The company is an urban non-profit. They accept any patient regardless of ability to pay, including indigent and homeless.

-Briar

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2003

Go to :

http://www.salarywizard.com

Put your information in and see what you get? Let us know!

renerian:D

Briar · Dec 8, 2003

Thanks for the link. I've tried this salary wizard before but have a tough time because RN-home health, or RN-hospice isn't a choice, and I think the job responsibilities go beyond just a Staff RN. So, I chose techincal nurse-RN and got a median salary of approx. $53,000.

I'm supposed to be hearing from the HR department today to negotiate salary and benefits. I think my best plan of action is to ask them what is a typical range for someone with my experience and skills and go from there.

Thanks everyone for the advice, I'll let you know how it goes.

-Briar :roll

military spouse · Dec 9, 2003

Hello,

I was making approx. 25/hr and 34 cents per mile. I would ask the following questions before deciding on a salary that is acceptable to you:

1. Will I have to take call? If yes, do I get 1/2 my hourly wage or only a few dollars per hour?

2. How much driving? The mileage rate WILL NOT make up for the wear-and-tear on your automobile. Also, consider trade-in value.

3. What will be my patient load? Too many pts and you will much of your free time doing paperwork for IDT, recerts, careplans, etc.

Hospice is a wonderful job, but you never "clock out." The on-call staff WILL call you at home and you Will worry about many of your pts. Good luck!

Briar · Dec 9, 2003

Thanks everyone for your advice. I accepted the job at $24/hr and .31 cents per mile plus on-call pay, which after digging around is very good in this area for someone with only two years nursing experience. Patient load doesn't sound too bad, 12-15 patients, but I have nothing to compare it to except my friend in home health who typically handles 15 or more per week. As far as milage on my car, it is close to 200,000 miles already and is an old and disreputable looking, but very reliable Volvo so I'm not in it for the trade-in value. I already drive round trip 80 miles to work at my hospital job, and I don't get paid milage for that so anything's better than that, plus the distances will typically be shorter than what I am already driving. I love the people at the company that I have already met, and their philosophy is veyr much in line with my own holistic viewpoint so I think this will be a good match.

I am really looking forward to this work, I do feel called in a way I haven't felt called to anything else in a long time.

Thanks again everyone,

Briar

live4today, RN · Dec 9, 2003

Hello Briar :)

Just here to wish you well in your new job! May it be everything and more of what you expect. You sound so excited, and enthusiasm is contagious so keep on being enthusiastic and smile smile smile! :balloons: :kiss

aimeee, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2003

Congratulations! Best wishes for success. 12 is an okay patient load. 15 is about the max, but much depends on where they are located and how stable they are.