Accidentally told my coworker what I make, BIG ISSUES NOW

[newrn93]

Hi all! So I am relatively a new graduate (3 months prior experience) before landing a job at a SNF. I have only been there for a week and although I was told during the interview that I would be working nights, my manager wanted me on the 3-11 shift to learn admissions for a month. I've been working with this RN for about 2 days now and shes really nice. We talk about out personal lives and etc. (For example she had a daughter by someone who is the same ethnic background as me..etc). So I'm explain my experience from my last job at a large teaching hospital and simply mention that I am taking a pay cut but its worth it because I want the experience. She then asks "Oh what are they starting you at." I stupidly tell her my wage (37) and didn't think anything of it. I explain that I usually leave the part on the application where it says to put your desired wage blank but this time around I put a high wage (I was getting paid 5 dollars more at my last job than this one.) She then says oh wow your very lucky and that they didnt start her at that wage and she put 38 on her application but management told her that they couldn't afford to pay her that. Anyways she says I'm lucky and we leave it at that.

My next day, I notice that she is acting a bit different but didn't think anything of it...it is a stressful job however. I do notice however that we dont seem to see eachother at all and that she didn't teach the the computer system (the most important part) but is teaching the other new hire the computer system. When I sit down to observe so I can learn the phone rings. She quickly looks at me and says "Can you answer the phone in a dismissive tone." Again, didn't think anything of it.

When night shift comes on, one of the night nurses says its her last day. No body knows why it seems very VERY abrupt because nobody talked about it before. I see her and this other nurse(my preceptor I suppose) kind of talking privately. This nurse that resigned was a nice girl and I ask "Oh where are you going?" All she says is "Somewhere." which again I thought was a bit odd.

The next day my manager comes up to me and asks me to meet him in his office. By his tone I can tell something was wrong but have no idea. He asks me if I told anyone my wage and I said yes to my preceptor. He then informs me that 1 nurse (the night nurse) quit because of it and that 2 more are considering quitting. I explain that it was naive and I didn't know i confided in her. He tells me she is not your friend, she went and told everyone and that she is already treating you differently. He then says next shift you will be on nights, I need to get you away from them. EVERYTHING now makes sense to me.

Sorry for the long post but what should I do or is there anything that I can do to rectify this situation. Should I confront/talk to this nurse who went and talked about me to everyone? I do not know how much the other nurses are making and had NO IDEA I was even making more than them. IDK if its because I have my BSN or bc they knew I wouldn't have accepted a job or a wage any lower when I was making $5 more at my last job. I feel HORRIBLY about this especially because our SNF is already so short-staffed.

[klone, MSN, RN]

You're missing the point... Nobody should be dumb enough to use an illegal reason to fire someone..

Except that, as evidenced by this thread, many facilities DO have policies where salary discussion/disclosure is considered "against policy" - which would make it really hard to argue when a written policy blatantly violates federal law. The very existence of such a policy could easily result in a lawsuit/settlement.

Again, in a court of law, the facility would have to PROVE that they fired the employee for cause, and not because of an illegal policy that the employee "violated."

[newrn93]

Appreciate it. Understandable why they are upset but if the roles were reversed I can honestly say I wouldn't go about it the way she did. And yes, my director certainly knows what's going on especially when he said "I need to get you away from them." I can only IMAGINE the horrible things she said about me when trying to throw me under the bus and probably make her claim for an increased wage.

Even when he first told me I said something along the lines of "So I'm guessing they were mad and said this stupid girl who doesn't even know anything is getting paid more than me?" He nodded his head yes.

OP,you sound like a wonderful person. The women who are giving you a hard time sound awful. Really, the preceptor asks a direct question, then goes wagging her tongue, turning the rest of her coven of witches against you?

My guess is that the frustrated witch already resented you because of your youthful happiness. Then management moves you to nights, knowing that the witches on days are going to be using their black magic spells against you?

TAKE THE NEW JOB AND DON'T LOOK BACK!

[newrn93]

I'm truly sorry for this, I'd be upset!!! I have a BSN while all the other nurses at that SNF have their ADN, but my manager said that doesn't justify me getting paid more because nursing homes dont pay for extra degrees.

What I am now understanding is that if you are not assertive about your wage they will pay you what they want. Negotiation has a big play in it. I would have never accepted the job if they offered me pay in the low 30's, and I think they somehow knew that (Just an example)

Ugh...in the same sitch but from the other end. I just found out they're paying my male coworker who is a new ADN (with previous LPN experience) more than they are paying me with a BSN and 10 years experience. Not the first time I've witnessed this misogny from this company either but it will be the last. I'm leaving too, probably in the next month or two.

[newrn93]

While I understand your stance I do feel like some of your statements are a bit unwarranted. Let's not forget that if I was in the same predicament but making a lower wage, there would be NO issues whatsoever. (And me making a lower wage while having less experience honestly seems like more of a safe assumption/common sense to me.)

I've tried to convey multiple times that my intent was not to brag at all (sure to some I suppose if came off like that) but again, if I was making 37 while everyone else was making 45, then it certainly wouldn't be considered bragging.

Not to get close to someone to quickly is VERY appropriate for me because I do have a tendancy to see good in everyone and to believe that most wouldn't do anything malicious. I've seen detriments in my personal life as well by being too trusting so this part I definitely understand!

But without disclosing my salary (and only if I am being higher paid might I add), then I see absolutely no way that I could "poison" another set of coworkers. But I appreciate your concern (:

Yes, I thought the claim it was "accidental" was a bit much. The OP has been there a week and has already antagonized her colleagues and her boss. She may move to a different job, but I cannot help but wonder what else she might "accidentally" do "in all innocence" that might antagonize her new colleagues. The takeaway here is a bit more complicated than "Don't disclose your salary and now you know why." The takeaway is also not to get too close to someone to quickly, not to fully trust someone you just met and don't brag (and humble bragging counts.). Team building is just as important as learning skills, and I hope the OP has learned all of those things from this discussion.

I'd advise the OP to do plenty of self-examination before she starts the new job lest she poison another set of working relationships.

[newrn93]

No, it would not upset me because we do not live in the same states. It makes absolutely no sense to compare wages between state lines because costs of living are different and contribute to the wages of a variety of jobs. If you are making an appropriate amount for your state and for your experience, I'd be very content with my work and life (: Don't mean to sound too sarcastic LOL.

However I agree that money does ignite jealously and appreciate your last statement. Like I keep saying, I assumed I was making less as a newbie. I'd never brag or say my wage if I knew others were making less. I was beating myself up A LOT, wondering how I'd even come back into work, but realize I just need to take it as life.

I've been in the dog house once many, many years ago over something similar. Telling anyone your pay is nothing but inviting trouble, which is something you already know. You can't go back in time (unless you have a Delorean and 1.21 gigawatts).

Not sure what state you work in, but I live in Tucson, AZ: I've been a BSN trained RN for almost 23 years and I make significantly less money than you do as a new grad. Would that upset you?

In any event, money ignites jealousy, it's only natural. Everyone wants to be compensated for their hard work. Earning less sends the message: "You aren't as valued as nurse X", even if that's not true.

You just learned a very valuable lesson that no amount of money could ever buy.

Cut yourself some slack: we all make mistakes from time to time, therefore you are in good company. To err is human.

[n_matjushenko]

So true

[Libby1987]

If I were you I would simply work hard and if anyone so much as looked at me sideways I would stop, look at them directly but somewhat softly (strong but soft) and say I'm not your problem, go in there and tell the manager why you should be paid more. If they said that wouldn't do any good, then I would say it's up to them to convince them. If they gave me any grief I would ask them if they were better off before or after I came? Were they pleased before or glad to know they have negotiating room? And I would stay soft but never stand down.

If they are stellar employees, they will be given a raise to keep them, if they're mediocre then they might get a raise, if they're subpar hopefully they will be told straight up where they need to improve before they come in and demand a higher wage.

[Bernarma12]

That was helpful... Chastising her was really uncalled for!

[Libby1987]

The part that they may not believe is that you left a higher paying acute care postion only 3 mos post graduation because you wanted to get SNF experience. I'd be prepared to deflect criticism.

[Bernarma12]

I'm really sorry you came here for advice and received so much negative, talking down to!! I have observed this as well in other posts I have read on this site. I can understand how it could slip out... We ALL have let things slip or had things come out differently than we intended before!!

I would suggest that you go back and talk to the manager again and ask if there is anything that you could do to rectify this. Reality is that a good manager would have called everyone in and put his/her foot down!! If then others can't work well together and treat others in this manner... I wouldn't want them on my team. Granted things could get difficult until everything turns around and people are replaced BUT....I would let them all know that they either get along or move along!

So sorry that you have encountered the eating of the young or in this case the new! And I remain, after many many years, appalled that this profession treats their own in this manner!! So, hoping that of all the lessons you have found here, one is to never with hold training or knowledge to suit yourself (no wonder she is making less!!) and that you would never ever treat others the way they have (after all it's not your fault he gave you more and her less) and... Hoping you will never ever treat others as those here, who have talked down to you and betrayed you when you were simply asking for advice. Keep your chin up and obviously watch your back! It will either turn around or you will need to find an environment that is indeed a team environment. Best of luck!!

[newrn93]

My acute care positio was in a highly specialized field that I didn't necessarily apply for but got. It was a bit overwhelming to me as a new grad tbh and after discussing with my manager she said that I should try a setting that is a bit less acute and come back once I've gotten the basic skills down. Im sure a snf wasn't what she meant, however 2 weeks after resigning with no job, I realized I gotta take what I can get.

do I somewhat regret it, yes. But now Id be in a hospital in the specialty that Id prefer

The part that they may not believe is that you left a higher paying acute care postion only 3 mos post graduation because you wanted to get SNF experience. I'd be prepared to deflect criticism.

[_zoubisoubisou_]

I'd like to know what state you're in that pays that much at a SNF? That's nice!