Re: Do you think you are adequately compensated in your job as a nurse?
I voted NO. I didn't get to read everything yet, but the first page had nurse familiar with NYC benefits, as I am. However, I never was unionized, but my salary was over $90k two years ago (BSN/28 years experience) and still, I think it could have been higher. I started another
thread about this before I saw this thread, but I'll say it again, I'm not happy with the compensation and benefits where I am.
Currently, I am employed in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg) and now I get
PAL - Paid Annual Leave - 23 days - to be used for vacation, holidays AND for the first 2 days of sickness
Sick time is accrued, however you can't use it for a 1-2 day illness until you have 5yrs time accured in the sick bank.
So basically, I went from 20+12=32 days off a year, plus sick time if needed (and I was never sick, nor did I just use them as mental health days)
To my leave breakdown of 18 vacation day+ 6 recognized holidays=my 23 total leave days...and if I'm sick, I have to use a vacation day.
Plus the salary is terribly lower than in NYC, even for an RN with a BSN.
And, one could argue that the cost of living is less, however it is only marginally less. Yes, property taxes are much lower, but sales tax is much higher. Grocery is about the same. Gas prices are slightly lower, but there is no mass transit so you need to drive more. So, overall, cost of living is not an equalizer.
I also think that here in this area they utilize LPNs much more here. I hadn't worked with LPNs in NYC for over 20 years. And (with my apologies to the LPNs, and I mean no disrespect to you, and they are underpaid also) I think that using LPNs in great numbers contributes to keeping lower salaries for the RNs, who are then acually taking on more responsibility supervising other personnel and should be paid even more.
anyway, I do miss the pay and the benefits of NYC.
thanks for listening.
Nursing News