How do you feel about the pay?

Neveranurseagain, RN · Sep 15, 2010

I wondered when a thread like this was going to be started! I too, am underpaid, considering my responsibilities. My job description is RN, working 6 1/2 hours a day, on a 10 month schedule and I make $22,900 a year....but they do pay 100% of my health insurance, which has a $1500 ded.

I plan on working camps this summer to augment my income.

millhouse · Sep 15, 2010

I wondered when a thread like this was going to be started! I too, am underpaid, considering my responsibilities. My job description is RN, working 6 1/2 hours a day, on a 10 month schedule and I make $22,900 a year....but they do pay 100% of my health insurance, which has a $1500 ded.
I plan on working camps this summer to augment my income.

I am an RN as well, working 7.5 hours a day on a 10 month schedule and make 17,300. My husband works for the gov't and therefore I do not need the benefits, yet I don't get anything extra for not taking the benefits.

It's odd, b/c I ran across this yesterday and it has bothered me constantly. I leave work today and have a VM on my cell from a LTC facility I had applied at months ago asking me to come and interview for the Assistant Director of Clinical Services with a starting salary of 62000. M-F day hours. On occasion take call. I feel really torn. I plan on going for the interview and see what happens. I am just in awe the amount of money they are paying to an RN! It certainly in my book is unfair wages. I said something to my coordinator and all she said is that she has been lobbying for 17 years for a raise for nurses and nothing. That we are all suffering... but it is what it is and out of her hands.

Still hard to swallow!

momnurse23 · Sep 15, 2010

Don't feel all alone. I am an RN, BSN and also grouped as "classified" with the paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers, and janitors. I work 184 days a year, 8 hour days and make around $22,000. I knew this when I took the job, but sometimes...well a lot of times, it still bothers me. Like you, it's not that I think I am better or more important, but I do feel I should be compensated fairly for my education and responsiblity. Honestly, as much as I do enjoy the job, I stick with it because as a mom with 3 elementary age kids it just works for us. I feel like the time with my kids is worth it for now. I made about twice this doing home health part time, but gosh, even part time with call on the weekends and holidays and charting until all hours of the night, I was so exhausted and felt like I was missing so much. I get to be at home with my kids when they are home. I get to see them at school. If they get sick or injured at school, I'm there to take care of them. My co-workers and admin. are all also very understanding and if I have to be off with a sick child it's no big deal...I don't have to feel guilty. The pay is definetly frustrating. You just have to weigh the other benefits to see if it's worth it.

sunnidaze · Sep 15, 2010

I know how you feel. Found out last month that the custodian here makes more than I do. Even worse, she gets alot more respect from the staff than I do. Have been thinking I may have made a huge mistake taking this job. I am so glad you posted this though because I know I am not the only one who is having second thoughts about putting so much liability against my license for so little pay. The only thing that keeps running through my mind is that oh-so-sweet summer break.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Sep 15, 2010

Yikes! I am on the same salary guide as the teachers. Granted, in NJ we have a much higher cost of living and we are required to have certification, but still - making as much as the cafeteria workers and less than the custodians! That's insanity!!

Are you guys unionized? Have there been any pushed to be considered a professional equal to the teachers?

LACA, BSN, LPN, RN · Sep 15, 2010

I'm an LPN, work 200 days a year, 7.5 hours a day, and make $24,000 a year. BUT included in that is the money I make as yearbook editor at my school AND the money I make teaching after school classes through a state grant program. Neither of those is a lot, but it is in addition to my salary. I don't have benefits through work, I'm also on the same pay table as classified staff and teachers make quite a bit more. Personally, I don't think I should make as much as teachers...there seems to be a LOT more that goes into that than I thought! I work as a 10 month employee but I'm paid all year long (this really works out best for me and my family). Our county has a column for LPN wages and one for RN, but they no longer offer RN wages. If you're a school nurse, you make the same amount, depending on your years of experience.

The only thing that irks me is this year I had to take over the position at the high school in addition to the elementary school I'm already at full time. But there was no change in pay at all. I think if we cover more than one school, we should be paid at least a bit more, but my district doesn't think so apparently.

Our district pays for our license renewal and gives us each $150 at the start of the school year to buy scrubs.

I knew going into this job that it wasn't a position to take for the money. I honestly, truly, and completely love my job....but this year seems to be much much much more stressful than last year, and that is making it hard...but I don't see myself ever leaving and I'm happy where I am.

millhouse · Sep 15, 2010

I love the job and there are a few perks. 1) being there with my 5 year old 2) summers/holidays off with the kids.

I just don't know what to do though. But this other job prospect is 4x my school salary.

The sad thing is... the salary for nurses in my county have not changed... at least in the last 20 years, so the thought of it changes is very slight. The assistant superintendant came in and talked with all of us nurses at the beg. of the school year and he made a point to say he knows we are not being compensated for what were worth and the amount of responsibility. That they take every chance to mention it to the higher ups... but nada!

FirefightingRN... do you know of anything or anyone to try and change things. We are not unionized. I live near D.C and the cost of living is outrageous here... def does not match the compensation!

Nurse_Ziba · Sep 16, 2010

Wow! Reading this thread makes me want to leave the country FAST. :lol2: I work 8 hours a day/10 months and 6 hours a day/2 months (summer). My weekends are tied for school activities, weekday hours are sometimes extended, and my holiday is not guaranteed to be vacant. So technically it is safe to say that I basically live in school. :)

My health insurance is 100% paid. I'm covered for 750,000 pesos (around 15,957 dollars). If you'll add the bonus and net pay I'm earning around 220,000 pesos (4,680 dollars) a year plus overtime pay. If I'll compare my pay with nurses working at the hospital, I have no right to complain. I'm earning 3-4 times more and the benefits are better. Comparing it with teachers is suicidal. :eek: Their one month salary is equivalent to my five months salary.

At first it was really frustrating. I have to admit it was weighing me down. I have two choices - to keep whining and be bitter until it makes me want to resign because the system sucks or to be optimistic and happy. I opted to stop comparing and just focus on the positive side. :twocents:

outblush · Sep 16, 2010

what state do you all work in, for reference?

any school nurses from washington state?

rdsxfnrn · Sep 16, 2010

This is in CT...... I am contracted to work ~ 190 days a year, 7.5 hrs a day. 45,000 yearly. reading this post has made me realize (again) how blessed I am to have this job. :) i love it! :redpinkhe

millhouse · Sep 16, 2010

Lucky you!! I am in VA.