Salaries and Benefits

We offer a generous benefits package to full- and part-time nurses and several options to enhance your earning potential

Work environment … autonomy to do your job … support from management, these are all important considerations in choosing where to start or continue your nursing career. In addition to these factors, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network (LVHHN) understands the importance of a competitive salary to attract and retain the best nurses. We determine our salaries on a merit-based, market competitive approach. In addition, we offer an attractive benefits package that includes a no-contribution health and prescription drug program, a wellness program and four weeks paid time off. Please read more about our benefits at the end of this page.

Graduate Nurses (G.N.)

Congratulations on recently graduating from nursing school. As a newly hired graduate nurse, you’ll earn $22.00/hour; and after successful completion of your boards, you’ll earn $23.00/hour as a registered nurse. We also offer a free three-day review course to help prepare you for the boards.

Experienced Registered Nurses (R.N.)

As an R.N., you bring a unique mix of acute care experience, educational preparedness, certifications and other qualifications to your position. Therefore, we assess each nurse individually and base salary on these factors.

Weekend Program

This option is available to RNs with at least one year experience in an acute care facility during the past two years. The weekend rate for day shift (7:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m.) is $38/hr. The weekend rate for night shift (7:00 p.m.-7:30 a.m.) is $41/hr. Benefits include health insurance, life insurance, pension and tuition reimbursement.

Agency Alternative Program

This option is available to RNs with at least one year experience in an acute care facility during the past two years. The positions are available in the float pool at any of the three LVHHN hospitals. This program requires a minimum of 40 hours per four-week schedule with eight or twelve hour shifts available. The day shift rate is $33/hr. The night shift rate is $38/hr.

Tiered Float Pool Options

These options meet the varied needs of the clinical units and provide additional compensation for the flexibility required to work in these areas. Increased flexibility leads to greater compensation and scheduling options. The options available are:

• Specialty Float Pools

  Nurses working in a specialty float pool are assigned on a daily basis to one of the units within their specialty group. Rate of pay is based on experience. Every year, full-time day-shift RNs receive a $3,000 bonus while full-time evening and night-shift RNs receive a $5,000 bonus. Part-time employees will receive a prorated bonus based on hours worked per year.

• Central Block Float Pool

  Nurses in this float pool are pre-assigned to a specific medical-surgical or critical care unit for 4-8 weeks. While the rate of pay is based on experience, an additional $6/hr.is provided for evening and night shift RNs. Medical-surgical unit RNs work eight-hour shifts while critical care unit RNs work 12-hour shifts. Nurses in this option must work every other weekend and three holidays per year.

• Central Daily Float Pool

  Medical-surgical or critical care RNs in this option receive their unit assignment each day prior to the start of their shift. Nurses have two options:
  1. Work every other weekend and three holidays per year and receive an additional $5/hr. for day shift and $8/hr. for evening and night shift.
  2. Work one weekend per four-week schedule, two holidays per year, Christmas every third year and receive an additional $3/hr. for day shift and $6/hr. for evening and night shift.

• Multi-Site Float Pool

  Full- and part-time RNs in this program will work among LVHHN’s three hospital locations. While rate of pay is based on experience, an additional $6/hr. is paid to day shift RNs; an additional $11/hr. is paid to evening and night shift RNs. Eight-hour shifts are required in medical-surgical units; 12-hour shifts in critical care units. Nurses must work every other weekend and three holidays per year.

Medical-Surgical Specialty Retention Bonus Program

If you commit to full- or part-time evening or night shift for a designated period of time on a select specialty unit, you’ll be eligible for cash payment(s). There are two program options:

1. For a one-year commitment, you’ll receive $4,000 at the end of the year.
2. For a two-year commitment, you’ll receive $5,000 at the end of the first year and $7,000 at the end of the second year.

Per Diem Opportunities

Nurses can be employed on specific units or in the float pool on any shift depending on availability. While the rate of pay is based on experience, RNs in the float pool receive an additional $2/hr. for day shift and $5/hr. for evening and night shifts. Nurses must work two shifts per four-week schedule. If employed in a unit that provides care seven days a week, one of the shifts must be over a weekend.

Summers-Off Program

This family-friendly program requires RNs to commit to a nine-month work schedule per year from September 1 to May 30. Rate of pay is based on experience. If you choose not to work any hours from June through August, you can purchase your health benefits. When you return, you’ll have your same job with the same paid time off and no new hire date.

Summary of Benefits

All full-time nurses receive the following benefits package:

• A no-contribution health and prescription drug program that begins on the first day of employment. Family coverage is included.
• A wellness program offering free and reduced-cost exercise and healthy lifestyle classes and seminars.
• Dental and vision plan
• Sick time accrual of eight hours per month (to a maximum of 480 hours)
• Paid time off (four weeks in first full year)
• Retirement plan
• Short-term disability replacing 60 percent of pay after 30 days of employment
• Long-term disability replacing 60 percent of pay after six months up to age 65
• Life insurance (one times base annual pay)
• Comprehensive Professional Liability Insurance
• On-site day care
• Tuition reimbursement
• Bereavement leave
• Jury duty pay
• On-site education programs
• Moving/relocation arrangements ($300 realtor reimbursement, $2,500 moving bonus)

Part-time nurses receive a slightly different plan.

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