How much is a normal raise

Nurses General Nursing

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I am feeling heartbroken. I work hard, I am always on time. I switch shifts all the time when asked by my manager last minute. I am on 2 committees that are extra. I am also back in school working on my BSN. Well, we just got our annual raise, mine is almost 2%. I feel very hurt. What is normal? Of course we were told if we discuss compensation or raises in any way you can be fired for violation of the code of conduct. It was delieverd to us via email, not even face to face. I am now feeling like I want to give up my committees, since they cut into my school time, and as soon as I finish school IM OUT. Clearly no appreciation here. And when they continue to call me last minute to cover a shift, the answer will now be NO.

The highest paid nurses are the ones who switch jobs every few years, from what I've seen. I did manage to negotiate a raise five times higher than what I was initially offered during my last evaluation, though. I'm not sure coming in at the last minute to cover a shift has ever been valued. If anything, it makes it seem like the covering nurse needs money more than personal time.

Lev, MSN, RN, NP

4 Articles; 2,805 Posts

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

We also got a 2% raise and it was considered a nice raise. If you want more money you should get a new job. Use all your committee work to boost your resume.

Altra, BSN, RN

6,255 Posts

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Typical annual raises in my area are 1-3%, so yours would be right in line with expectations.

Do not give up this job, or even your committee assignments, without exploring what is typical. It is possible your expectations were out of line.

Anonymous865

483 Posts

Companies give 2 types of raises:

- cost of living adjustment (COLA)

- merit increase

COLA is an adjustment to salaries based on the increased cost of things like food, fuel, etc., so that employees' standard of living doesn't go down because of inflation. Most raises are actually COLA. Considering that inflation in 2015 was 0.09%, most businesses would feel that no or very little salary adjustment was necessary.

Merit increases are given when the business determines that an employee is doing significantly more than is expected for someone at that pay grade.

Since you received 2% and the cost of inflation was 0.09%, it would appear that your organization recognized your extra effort.

I have not had a raise for 4 years. My company is just got giving them out. I received an outstanding rating on all areas in my last performance review.

Being on time, switching shifts, and committee work are basic expectations of the position.

I would be ecstatic if I got an email telling me I received a 2 % raise.

elkpark

14,633 Posts

There is no "normal" raise. Different employers have different policies. Often, the max raise is tied to the economy and inflation; my employer is fairly generous and considered a "good" employer but, because the economy has been so bad in recent years, the max possible raise for the last several years, no matter how superb your job performance, has ranged between 1.5% and 2.5% (different max raises in different years). And they have only been giving out merit raises, no across-the-board cost of living adjustments.

Your raise is not out of line in the current employment environment.

Specializes in Utilization Management.

Where I work, we get an annual cost of living adjustment, in addition to an annual merit increase that is based on a yearly evaluation done by the employee's supervisor. The merit increase can be 1-4%, depending on the employee's scores in specific categories.

Sully64

29 Posts

I have not had a raise for 4 years. My company is just got giving them out. I received an outstanding rating on all areas in my last performance review.

Being on time, switching shifts, and committee work are basic expectations of the position.

I would be ecstatic if I got an email telling me I received a 2 % raise.

I am the only one in my department on a committee, and I am the only one with a specialty certification which I earned this past year. And sadly, on my unit, being on time is pretty rare although I agree it is a normal expectation. We have really poor attendance, and a lot of call outs.

kaydensmom

8 Posts

What percentage were you expecting?

klone, MSN, RN

14,786 Posts

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

It's illegal per federal law to fire or penalize staff for discussing compensation amongst themselves.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

My pay has increased through job-hopping, not via merit raises.

Every time I've gotten a merit raise, the end result was a whopping $0.50 to $1.25 added to my hourly pay rate. Whoop-de-doo! However, quitting to go work elsewhere resulted in a pay increase of up to $4.00 hourly.

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