What would you do?

artsmom, BSN, LPN · Oct 20, 2012

That sounds extremely low to me. Especially for Ca.

LVN/RNBridge · Oct 20, 2012

Hello everyone!
I sort of have a little dilemma. I had my first real nursing interview with Emeritus Senior Living today for the position of Wellness Nurse and I think it went really well and fully expect a callback. This is all great UNTIL they started talking salary... I live in CA, so I'm not sure if my expectations are all out of whack or something, but I felt like it was way under what it should have been. This position requires a LOT of responsibilities like working with pharmacies, client's insurances, you get your own desk, you organize MARs, stock medication, have to be on-call 24/7, schedule caregivers and med techs, and have to cover their shifts if they call in sick...etc.
And if I'm not mistaken (Please correct me if I am wrong!) don't the unlicensed personnel like the caregivers, med techs function under our licenses (RN, BSN) ?
If so, I feel that this is a lot of responsibility for $15-$18/hour.
I feel like an absolute brat. Please share your thoughts?!?!

Was this position posted for an RN specifically? Or an LVN?

Even if this position was posted for an LVN, that offer is way too low. A new LVN in so cal usually starts at $20.00. Unless there are new nurses so desperate that they accept less (which drives down wages for all) an RN? Even in a SNF as a new grad should be starting at around $30.00

With the additional responsibilities involved, risk of non licensed passing meds under your license and this position being on call. I would think that the salary should be considerably higher than the starting wages I listed above. With this said, $15.00-$18.00 is fully taking advantage of a new nurse.

I'm on my iPhone, so please excuse any typos.

Inori, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2012

I'd suggest you look up salary for your state, city and ask for/ the middle range. http://www.salary.com If they balk, you tell them that's the going rate for nurses in the area, and what range did they have in mind. State that if you're expected to provide 24/7 on call then you need to be compensated accordingly. Ultimately it is a buyers market .. there will always be someone who will happily work for less because they need to get that job exp in. Alternative accept job work there for 1-2 years dont lose license and leave for something better cuz now you have that gold 1-2 yrs exp.

L&D<3 · Oct 20, 2012

Wow. Thank you everyone for your responses. I really appreciate the input. This issue has really been bugging me. I checked with the job description that they gave me and it is indeed a job for an RN, not an LVN. According to Careerbliss.com the average Wellness RN for this specific company should make between 42k to 51k annually. So that puts me way under...

:SIGH: :cry:

I hate the idea of having this most UNCOMFORTABLE conversation with them. However, I feel that I have to, for myself and every other new nurse out there. It's easy for us to just take whatever comes in the current job climate, but I refuse to let it depreciate my worth as an employee after all my hard work. (Especially because I currently make more than $15 at my RESTAURANT job!)

Again thank you guys!

artsmom, BSN, LPN · Oct 21, 2012

Good for you! I hope the conversation goes in your favor.

L&D<3 · Nov 3, 2012

UPDATE: I had that most uncomfortable conversation with the DON and she was very straightforward with me regarding what the company could currently afford. Basically, they couldn't afford what I was asking for. And if I wanted to stay at the high end of what they were offering, then they could only schedule me part-time or less. If I were to work at the cheaper end of what they offered, I'd be full-time. I am still working through negotiating with them but I'm kind of disappointed. I was expecting my first nursing job to help establish my finances a little bit. And by the looks of it, this job holds it's weight in whatever non-acute experience it will get me. For now, I'm going to take it but continue with me 5 to 10 applications per day... Boo...

Thanks to everyone once again!

Leonardo Del Toro, RN · Nov 4, 2012

Yes unfortunately is all about supply and demand. Right now there are so many nurses out there who desperately need to work that it drives down the wages specially when they know how tough it is for new grads. However you should look at this as an opportunity to get in. After a few months you can start looking again and having 6-12 months under your belt will make you very employable and you should not feel bad about it because it goes both ways, if they are now willing to pay your right they can't expect you to stay. I would take the job without hesitation and learn everything I can.