[luvnursing2007]

I've been given the difficult position of defending salary vs. hourly in a debate! I need more positive information on salary. Can anyone help give me any ammunition on the salary side vs. the other side's hourly?

[TazziRN]

Salary: can be abused and overworked by employers without compensation.

Hourly: OVERTIME

[azhiker96]

Personally, I'm fond of being paid hourly but that wasn't the question by the OP.

I guess you could try to defend salary by arguing that nursing demands to be recognized as a profession. Many professionals are paid salaries such as engineers and managers. Hourly pay is associated more with blue collar workers and independent contractors.

That's all I can think of. Any chance you can switch to the other side in the debate?

[wjf00]

Are you defending salary from the nurses perspective? If so that is a very hard sell. No takers here. But you might argue that a salary allows an employee to budget, as income is steady. It can be a help when securing a loan as the lender has a guaranteed income to base thier loan amount on. Salary is protection in the event of low census. Salary helps in calculating the amount for witholdings like 401K, 403B, Fed Taxes, etc. Salary prevents nurses competing for OT, may foster a more team approach.
All that being said I am sorry to say you drew the short straw in arguing for salary.

[ZippyGBR]

how about a 'mixed economy' of salary and hourly like the UK

we have salaires which assume all out hours are worked weekdays between 0600 - 2000 , if we work outside of thsoe times there are 'special duties payments' of30 % ( weekday after 2000 , 'night shift' or saturday), 60 % (Sunday and public holidays) ...

part time workers salaries are pro rata of FT ditto pensions , sick pay etc ...

as for overtime - it;s a dirty word i ntheUk at present and extra hours are generally worked on bank contracts for standard rates - the unions are unsuprisingly not happy but the law allows it

[hollyvk]

Originally Posted by luvnursing2007

I've been given the difficult position of defending salary vs. hourly in a debate! I need more positive information on salary. Can anyone help give me any ammunition on the salary side vs. the other side's hourly?

Salaried positions allow for flexible hours, say you work 36 hours one week and 40 the next week, you get a full paycheck for each week (assuming your pay is based on 40hr/wk). The employer will set the acceptable minimum hours per week (below that, you'll have to use some PTO time). Of course, you could work 44 hours the 3rd week and there's no OT for that . . .

So a salary gives you income stability, no being sent home early if all the patients are discharged or the census is low.

The other flexibility is the schedule you work, you may want to work 10 hours one day and 6 the next, you have flexibility to respond to the various projects, meetings, and other time-sensitive job duties.

In nursing, generally the salaried positions are for managers and those in administrative positions because their job duties require schedule flexibility and a commitment to get projects done in a timely manner (if you're not getting OT, you'll be plenty motivated to get that report finish this week).

I hope this helps,

HollyVK (who's worked plenty of jobs both hourly and salaried)

[Myxel67]

If you have doctor's appt, or outside obligation, time away from work does not need to be made up. If you go home sick, pay can't be docked--if you're here for a minute, you're here for the day. Also can't take PTO for that missed time.

[Otessa]

I am salaried- it is based on a 40 hour week and an hourly wage.

I don't get overtime - if I work over 40 hours it is time I give to the company.

I don't get holiday pay, weekend or evening differentials.
I could actually make 20% more if I was an hourly worker-BUT I would have to work weekends, holidays,evenings,nights,etc.

[Otessa]

Salary-flexible days- I can work 12 hours one day and 4 the next-as long as I work a total of at least 80 hours in 2 weeks-no problem. If I have an appointment(outside of work) and no meetings-I don't get docked pay.

It is guaranteed income-no low-census days

[eddy]

Hah! It all depends on which method pays more of course.