Everyone is so secretive about pay? New nurse and I have no idea the average pay

Nurses General Nursing

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Had 3 job interviews this week all of which are promising, and I have already done the drug test at 2 of them. At all three, when asked the salary, they told me that they do not divulge that for specific reasons until I am offered the job. I get that but I have no idea what I may make at either. One is home health, the others at a hospital in acute care and SNF. So confusing, and don't you DARE ask a nurse around here what they make because they will not tell you. I worked as a PCT in the hospital the last 3 years in nursing school and never would any of them tell me what they made, and I know its rude to ask, but googling gets me nowhere because it varies so. I am left wondering does home health RNs make as much as bedside, or would it be better to take on 3 12's with the possibility of overtime because there is no opportunity in HH? I am in West Texas BTW. I have a feeling the hosptial makes around $20.00 starting off, but then again, I am not sure since nobody will tell me anything. Is it normal for companies to not give you the salary?

When I read the OP and first reply or two a few days ago, I assumed the comments were in reference to anonymous discussion on this board. In my wildest dreams it never occurred to me the OP meant s/he was actually asking people about their salaries. If you asked me about my income, I'd be totally aghast. I probably would quite literally gasp aloud and stare at you as if you had removed your trousers and relieved yourself on the floor. It isn't done among gentleman, ever. I presume "ladies" would clutch their pearls. Simply put, you cannot ask such questions in polite company.

Here, anonymously, I'd tell you whatever you wanted to know. IRL, absolutely not, and I'd be mortally offended at being asked. I would think very, very poorly of anyone who dared ask and never forgive or forget such a slight.

I LOVE this! You could have your next job as filling in for Miss Manners lined up, if the nursing thing gets old.

I totally agree. I get uncomfortable when people discuss money/salary/cost of possessions so openly. It's just not done among people who have good taste.

Much to my dismay, my own husband falls on the other end of the spectrum. He has no shame in asking anyone about anything related to money. "How much did you pay for your house?" "Whoa, nice TV, how much did that cost you?" etc. It's embarrassing for me when he does this, but he doesn't understand why, and always says "Why shouldn't I ask if I want to know? They can always just say they don't want to tell me."

Sigh. Some people's children.

Specializes in FNP, ONP.

That's Mr. Manners, to you. ;)

The point of my post is not to shame the OP or anyone agreeing with him/her, btw. I simply want to point out that there are still quite a few of us that believe it is indiscreet, to say the least, and by chancing the topic you risk bringing offense. It would insult me, and I would think poorly of someone for such a gaffe. I mention this as merely a word to the wise for those who do care and do not wish to appear boorish. For those that think gentility is foolish and unnecessary, well carry on.

"Maturity is the ability to reap without apology, yet not complain when things don't go well." - Jim Rohn

Every year, a few of the previous year's graduates go back to school to talk to the almost grads about the transition to work, getting licensed, etc (this is for an NP program). There were 5 of us this year, and all of us revealed our salary to this year's class. The point isn't for competition, as, not surprisingly, I make more in private practice than my former classmate does in a community health center (and her loan repayment will more than offset that difference). The goal was to set realistic expectations about what we should be making. If my telling the new grads my salary means that they don't accept an offer that under-values their skills, then that's a win for everyone.

My social circle is primarily non-nursing, and we discuss frequently that salary secrecy only benefits employers, not employees. I do believe you have the right to keep your salary private if you wish, but in general I think salary transparency is becoming more common.

Y'all can be mortified if you want, but listen up. I was in the business field prior, and had this inkling I was being underpaid, so I asked around. After just 5 years in the field, I found I was being shorted 25,000 PER YEAR! Don't care (for the most part) what others make, but I do get fired up at being robbed. Got a competing offer for well over that salary and convinced my employer to at least get in the game. I can tell you its never the same after that...but they are out of business and I'm still here, so apparently karma counts. Its not always about trying to one up each other, but about the employer taking undue advantage of employees and I have many other horror stories to share. I couldn't sleep at night sometimes knowing how my employer took advantage of others, especially when they were doing fantastic work. Do what's right and you'll sleep like a baby.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Sorry @ scott5698, but if you read my post, you would know WHY I beg to differ...I rather a person research if they are getting underpaid, utilize the market, instead of the "s/he's getting paid more than ME" position...it makes the position seem very childish....:whistling:

My wage and salary is public knowledge here.

35 an hour. 3 years experience.

Specializes in OB/GYN.
"Why would I tell someone I work with what I make? That's my personal business."-- OCNRN63

Enlighten me, please. Why do you feel OCN's post at the top is rude?

Look at the way she responded! That was rude! The poster is just asking a general question, not asking what does OCNRN63 makes! It's a general question on pay range, not asking what do you make! If you didn't think that came off rude, then something's wrong with you

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

[h=3]Ask The Headhunter: Never, Ever Disclose Your Salary to an Employer [/h]Can You Tell Coworkers Your Salary? | Chron.com

[h=3]Can You Tell Coworkers Your Salary? - Woman[/h]

Specializes in Rehab, LTC, Peds, Hospice.

I think employers would be better off stating a range of pay from the beginning. At least in my case, I always already had a job when looking for another - I was under no pressure to leave and had a "I can take this or leave it' approach.

I was honest with them - if they wouldn't disclose a salary over the phone when making the appointment over the phone for an interview, I'd decline to make the appointment and thank them for their time. My life was just too busy with kids and work - and frankly $ talks.

Specializes in Emergency, ICU.
I think employers would be better off stating a range of pay from the beginning. At least in my case, I always already had a job when looking for another - I was under no pressure to leave and had a "I can take this or leave it' approach.

I was honest with them - if they wouldn't disclose a salary over the phone when making the appointment over the phone for an interview, I'd decline to make the appointment and thank them for their time. My life was just too busy with kids and work - and frankly $ talks.

I agree. Ultimately, this is about respect. Money does play into the decision to apply for a job. I want to know the pay ahead of time so I don't waste my time interviewing for a position I won't take if the pay isn't right. It would save HR a lot of time too if up front there was transparency about salary and job expectations. It's called professionalism -- sorely lacking in the way nurses are treated.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

I think most will agree with this statement...my salary is not nearly enough:) . It would be nice to know a ballpark figure before wasting your time in an interview though. A co worker recently interviewed for a management position at another facility and only found out after they offered her the job that it paid over $3.00/hr less than she is currently making in a non-management position. Needless to say she turned it down, so the whole process was a waste of both her time and theirs.

Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.

Most facilities do salary surveys for their area on a regular basis. However, let us be real. Even if the average start salary was $20-$22 an hour [The average amount for central Texas New grad] the HR department may try to low ball. They can often get away with low balling because nurses are not supposed to talk about what they make per hour.

A person noted that someone applying for management found that she would be paid $3.00 less per hour than she was currently making in bedside. That makes sense to me for a few reasons. Bedside nursing is the area that has a great deal of monetary rewards built in because it is an area of need, and it is an area where the nurse makes money for the hospital.

Managers do not 'directly' make money for a hospital or facility because they do not generally do hands on care. Their value comes in how well they can run their teams.

It is a misnomer that just because someone is management they are making the big bucks. I work with a fellow manager who makes less than some of her staff. It is just the way it is.

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