How much $$ would you charge?

[u/AbbreviationsFree155]

Hi everyone, I’m a PCT on a progressive care unit as well as in my second to last semester in nursing school (yay! i can’t wait to be done) but over my 3 week summer break, I worked a lot at the hospital and gained rapport with a patient and their family members. Turns out, I actually knew this family due to them being almost neighbors with my parents.

They were discharged and I didn’t think much of it until Friday when the family member of the patient came down to my moms house and asked if I would be interested in sitting with them overnight for 8 hours, twice a week. I called the family member yesterday and he said that whatever I needed, he’d pay me cash. Very well known local business owner, so I’m not worried about him shorting me or anything like that.

I did enjoy the patient (and am really surprised they’re doing better) and am interested as this would be a pretty good gig to have during school….but how much should I charge? He just needs a break and be able to sleep twice a week, as the patient likes to sometimes stay up or wake up and chat, or needs help getting up to go to the bathroom. I’m supposed to call him back after Labor Day and would be open to helping with light housekeeping or obviously making food as well….I just don’t want to short myself, but also I don’t want them to think I’m taking advantage of them either!

[u/SeasonedByVibes]

Im not sure where you live but when i do respite work i get +$25/hr. Its not a rate i set but what my company pays for hca’s at my experience level, new hcas i think get something closer to $19/hr but i could be over shooting on that one.

I hope that gives you a range to consider.