Working for pay instead of Benefits

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Jan 9, 2004

Many employers will give you a small "kickback" if you waive the standard health insurance coverage provided to the general employee population. Don't expect a lot though.

IamRN · Jan 9, 2004

Originally posted by morr4336
Good day to all! I am not a nurse yet, but from what I am reading, the health care coverage for nurses is not that good. Can a person ask for more money instead of the benefits?

Gerard

What you may be reading here about benefits may not sound all that promising, but from comparison to friends and family I can tell you it is very comparable if not a bit better than other industries.

You can ask for a "cash out" option, but it isn't worth it. You don't entirely get back what their share would be what they pay for your part of insurance coverage. I was thinking of doing that (I have coverage under dh's insurance) until after I found out what the amount of the cash out was going to be. BTW, and that is only an option if the employer has it available, they don't have to.

morr4336 · Jan 9, 2004

Thanks for the info! When I retire from the Coast Guard, all of my health care needs will be met by the governmnt to include my family. I would hate to be forced to pay for health coverage that I wont use!

hoppermom3 · Jan 9, 2004

I have a friend who choses to work PRN rather than full-time. She doesn't have benefits, but makes substantially more per hour than the full-time employees. There are always plenty of hours available for her to work. She loves the flexibility and says the only benefit she misses is PTO-if she has to miss work, there is NO paycheck.

For our family, I will most likely have to go for benefits. DH plans to start his own business when I get done with school

Gomer · Jan 9, 2004

You might want to remember that "no benefits" in exchange for more money does not just exclude health care. No benefits means just that; no health care insurance, no life insurance, no vacation pay, no PTO, etc. And in some cases no retirement, no education pay, no LOA's.

My hospital pays 20% over standard rates for non-benefitted positions. But when you take into consideration what you don't get the money isn't worth it.

colleen10 · Jan 9, 2004

In many industries, not just health care, you can ask for/negotiate for a higher salary/hourly wage if you tell them that you do not want benefits.

Even if you are not in healthcare it is something to consider and try to negotiate into your hiring offer.

morr4336 · Jan 9, 2004

Gomer, great point! I did not even think about the other beneys! Health care is only part of the bene package!

gypsyatheart · Jan 9, 2004

Most hospitals/hospital units have a "Float Pool" or PRN Pool, as well as the specific units themselves. You can work on your own unit as a PRN nurse. I love it! Much more flexibility, pretty much make my own schedule, I do have to commit to 1 shift per month...big deal! The hospital usually offers either a set dollar amt extra or a percentage of your pay (ie 12% ) to be PRN. Of course, you do give up bennies...if I don't work, I don't get paid! I forfeit, PTO, Health bennies, retirement, etc. Fortuneately, my spouse carries all the insurances, and I can contribute to my own retirement funds, so this is ideal for me. :)

Also remeber, the hospital basically has no committment to you, PRN's usually get cxl'd 1st, after agency, in low census times...I never have any problem getting my hours, and in the last year was cxl'd 2x for low census. Food for thought...

Agnus · Jan 10, 2004

You will never be forced to pay for benefits that you do not want. On the other hand you may or may not get more pay if you forego benefits. It is generally called benifits in liu of pay.

Some employers do it some don't. Remember though your benifits includes more than health insurance. It includes sick time, vacation, hollidays, retirement such as 401k's, life insurance, and a other insurances that may be offered are disability (long and short term), accident insurance, cancer insurance, long term care ins. And various insurance coverages for dependents, such as life, orthodontics, dental, vision, perscription and more.

Don't scoff you may want to supplement what the military will prove you with some of these.

Some facilities offer per diem instead of pay in liu of benefits. That is they pay at a higher rate but only use you on an as needed basis.

My benefits include free monthly massage, health club, credit union, child care on site,as well as all of the above mentioned.