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.
very, VERY well said. I will certainly learn from this situation]
I agree with all you said. Just something to add for others less experienced in the professional world... The problem for this person is that she is now being treated poorly by her co-workers that she depends upon for orientation and so on. It is all misplaced anger by these co-workers to be sure, but in the mean time she cannot afford to be thrown under the bus at such a vulnerable time in her career...for several reasons. So, for others out there, when you are in this type of situation, it really is best to not go into this topic until you learn more about the facility and how they do "business". Also, it is more important to focus on your knowledge and skills development, get to know your co-workers and vice versa in order to develop mutual trust, in general, before delving into topics that can be sensitive.
The question that I've been so desperately trying to find out is WHY. Simply why would an employer pay a newbie with the same or even less experience more than experienced employees. What incentive do they have and what sense does that make?
The only thing I can think of is desperation. As in the other employees were hired at a time where they weren't as desperate for a lower wage and that at this time they were willing to up the anty based on "my desired salary.", which I put as higher than what I was offered. However what I will say is that this coworker who I originally told said she put a a desired wage that was high as well but the company told her that they can't afford to pay that.
Thoughts???
The most common cause, from what I've seen, is that wages have gone up everywhere else and they have to offer more to get new employees interested. The long-time employees aren't shopping around (presumably) and don't know what's currently being offered. They just take their ten cent yearly increases and don't complain. I know charge nurses with 20 years of experience who are only making fifty cents more than new grads at the same hospital.
Honestly, yes pretty much. Sure, I have technically "poisoned" my relationship with coworkers but I haven't myself done anything to wrong anybody and now everyone seems to have it in for me. Again, not placing the blame on anyone but putting myself in their shoes I'd be upset for sure, but wouldn't take it out on someone who had nothing to do with it. I am new to the SNF world and would need to be taught certain things and I can already see games/favoritism that is being played which leads me to believe that they can try and make me look bad/not invest any time in teaching me what I need to know. I've already seen some passive-aggressive behaviors which is upsetting to me...nursing life man. snf's are already busy as it is, and I've been on shifts where I would scramble just to find something/anything to do bc I don't know certain things. I have to consider if I truly want to start my career in this environment and that is certainly important to me. Truly dont mean to sound arrogant but the while the wage is decent, I am still taking a significant pay cut. I'd consider per diem bc I'd feel bad that I caused all of this mess.
I understand your predicament, but don't see how working per diem helps anything. You still want the experience and knowledge. Maybe though, it would be best to start over at a different facility...IF the mistreatment you are suffering doesn't improve. It is very important to have good working relationships....professional working relationships for anyone, but as a new grad who is dependent on co-workers to learn needed skills, it is particularly important. You have a good head on your shoulders. Trust your instincts about this...give it a bit more time, but be careful. You will know what the best tthing to do will be.
wow this one definitely seems more out of line to me. Why would one if your coworkers go to your manager about what you will be making at another job? LOL. What does that have to do with your management? Was she attempting to get you in trouble? Lol I'm so confused.
didnt want to say anything but because of your post I will. Yesterday I got a call saying that I was offered the job to my #1 hospital that I've been wanting to get into since nursing school. It's for overnights as well and I will be making at least $10 more. Laughing my way to the bank indeed lmao, but I defientely don't want to make it seem like it's all about money. Its a very selective hospital and an absolute wonderful opportunity. Again im very distraught about this because I don't want to leave a job I barely started but it's definetely an opportunity I won't pass up. Strong Union. And all of us interviews we're told our salary together as a group before the interview, so we all know what we will all be making ironically. And ironically this offer came at the best and worse time. Ahhh well. Thanks for sharing your experience!!
I REALLY hope you go for that position. If it makes you feel any better, the office job I'm quitting I was only at for 6-7 months, so I barely started there as well. The hospital I'm going to is the only children's hospital in the area and I interviewed with them over a year ago. The way I see it is that I'm going to take my lucky a** where the money is. I love what I do but if I can make almost double doing what I love, I'm going to do it.
I sincerely hope you take that job. You can't make decisions about your career based on what others may think. Good luck!
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
OP, I hope you can stop blaming yourself. The fact that you didn't see anything wrong with disclosing your wage just means you haven't become cynical and mistrusting yet. Two things are going on:
1. Your employer is paying everyone as little as they can get away with, not a penny more. They have themselves to thank if disgruntled employees are jumping ship. They need to work on their retention strategies.
2. Your coworkers are barking up the wrong tree. It's not your fault they're getting paid less than they're worth. They should be thanking you for letting them see what is really going on.
It looks like the truth finally came out (it always does) and caused quite a stir. You have nothing to make amends for.
TriciaJ, I'm honestly starting to see it this way, and while before I felt very bad about it I'm starting to adopt a different attitude. I thank you sincerely for reaffirming this to me. When my manager first told me this there were several moments of awkwardly long silence, as if he was expecting some kind of explanation or something for me to say. Of course I explained what happened the best I could, and of course I felt and still feel genuinely bad about me "exposing?" what is going on and causing them to lose staff that they desperately need, but the more and more I think about it, the more I realize that I didn't do anything out of malice and therefore shouldn't feel so damn bad about myself.
OP, I hope you can stop blaming yourself. The fact that you didn't see anything wrong with disclosing your wage just means you haven't become cynical and mistrusting yet. Two things are going on:
1. Your employer is paying everyone as little as they can get away with, not a penny more. They have themselves to thank if disgruntled employees are jumping ship. They need to work on their retention strategies.
2. Your coworkers are barking up the wrong tree. It's not your fault they're getting paid less than they're worth. They should be thanking you for letting them see what is really going on.
It looks like the truth finally came out (it always does) and caused quite a stir. You have nothing to make amends for.
Thanks I most certainly will. It's a training program and an excellent environment for me to be in with my level of experience. But honestly just to illustrate exactly how HORRIBLE my situation/timing is, I have been there only about 2 weeks. (I know, this level of chaos in a weeks?) This new job begins in late September. To say I'd feel aweful about leaving is an understatement, but I feel that being on-call would remedy both situations.
I REALLY hope you go for that position. If it makes you feel any better, the office job I'm quitting I was only at for 6-7 months, so I barely started there as well. The hospital I'm going to is the only children's hospital in the area and I interviewed with them over a year ago. The way I see it is that I'm going to take my lucky a** where the money is. I love what I do but if I can make almost double doing what I love, I'm going to do it.
I sincerely hope you take that job. You can't make decisions about your career based on what others may think. Good luck!
Congrats on your new job!! Honestly you sound like an intelligent, motivated person who made a naive mistake. And like someone who is growing into their sense of self-confidence.
My advice is to keep your hours and hold your head up highin confidence. You effectively negotiated your rate of pay and that's something to be proud of, don't let a bunch of dramaqueens take that accomplishment away from you. Stand tall and hold your ground, while you're feeling a bit isolated now it won't last long and, in reality, someone is bound to be their new target eventually. In life people are going to be jealous you can't control that. Let them hate, let them compare what you have vs what they have and laugh it off like water off a duck's back. No need to go into hiding, it's their problem and doesn't have to be yours. Think about it.. are they going home and torturing themselves about this wage injustice? Are they picketing and rioting? It's doubtful. But they are taking that frustration out on you (it's not fair but it's the nature of the green-eyed-beast). Wouldn't they win if you cut your hours back (thereby decreasing your income)?
I wouldn't confront anyone but if someone decided to approach me to about it I'd simply say "I can't help the wage gap. I'm playing the cards I was dealt. I guess I got lucky. In terms of being proactive what's my alternative? Demand they cut my pay back?!! If it's an issue for you, don't take it out on me, request/ demand a raise. Or find a higher paying job somewhere else."
You have less than a month to hang in there. Bigger and better things are just around the corner! This time, keep your new job and new income to yourself, don't share your newfound fortune with your current coworkers and let this be a lesson in over sharing! Write a solid letter to you manager/director giving your two weeks saying you enjoyed your time there and that you are thankful for the opportunity to work for your current institution; that you were offered your dream job and would regret not going for it.
Absolutely lovely statement and I sincerely apprecIte the compliments. Guess I never looked at it that way(: aside from learning never to be naive enough to share personal information the comments I've receieved in this thread has taught me INVALUABLE information about salary, what to expect, what to ask for, and how the game is really played. Kind of want to compre it to hotels. You can pay vastly different amounts for the same room depending on a variety of factors. (Just the other day a hotel clerk told me I was extremely lucky to be payingn $77 for the room I got, which I found and booked that same day, btw and said that he won't speak too loudly but other people have paid and we're paying triple the price for the same room.) im thankful I posted this topic here and will certainly go back to work tomorrow which a smile on my face instead of my mind plagued with guilt.
appreciate the support for my new job offer. So I suppose you don't think that my extremely short stay at this current job should deter me from Pershing this new one? Anyways, thankful that I learned this lesson while my career is still young and will be short sweet and simple if someone dares speak to me about the matter.
thanks so much!
Congrats on your new job!! Honestly you sound like an intelligent, motivated person who made a naive mistake. And like someone who is growing into their sense of self-confidence.
My advice is to keep your hours and hold your head up highin confidence. You effectively negotiated your rate of pay and that's something to be proud of, don't let a bunch of dramaqueens take that accomplishment away from you. Stand tall and hold your ground, while you're feeling a bit isolated now it won't last long and, in reality, someone is bound to be their new target eventually. In life people are going to be jealous you can't control that. Let them hate, let them compare what you have vs what they have and laugh it off like water off a duck's back. No need to go into hiding, it's their problem and doesn't have to be yours. Think about it.. are they going home and torturing themselves about this wage injustice? Are they picketing and rioting? It's doubtful. But they are taking that frustration out on you (it's not fair but it's the nature of the green-eyed-beast). Wouldn't they win if you cut your hours back (thereby decreasing your income)?
I wouldn't confront anyone but if someone decided to approach me to about it I'd simply say "I can't help the wage gap. I'm playing the cards I was dealt. I guess I got lucky. In terms of being proactive what's my alternative? Demand they cut my pay back?!! If it's an issue for you, don't take it out on me, request/ demand a raise. Or find a higher paying job somewhere else."
You have less than a month to hang in there. Bigger and better things are just around the corner! This time, keep your new job and new income to yourself, don't share your newfound fortune with your current coworkers and let this be a lesson in over sharing! Write a solid letter to you manager/director giving your two weeks saying you enjoyed your time there and that you are thankful for the opportunity to work for your current institution; that you were offered your dream job and would regret not going for it.
The comments are supportive of the OP,but I remember a thread awhile back about an Lpn who found out there were some Cna's in her facility making more than her.
The comments were less than "supportive".
Many told her to be happy for them,and that it won't upset them.
Interesting indeed. I wouldn't say that the majority of comments are in support of me though. And what do you mean that "it wont upset them," as in the lpn won't be upset or the cnas. Very curious. I'd definetely say that someone in a higher role making less than someone in a lower role would be a bit more touchy. Also wondering if the cna's had many more years seniority at the company compared to the lvn or vice vera.
This is pretty interesting.
The comments are supportive of the OP,but I remember a thread awhile back about an Lpn who found out there were some Cna's in her facility making more than her.
The comments were less than "supportive".
Many told her to be happy for them,and that it won't upset them.
in confidence. You effectively negotiated your rate of pay and that's something to be proud of, don't let a bunch of dramaqueens take that accomplishment away from you. Stand tall and hold your ground, while you're feeling a bit isolated now it won't last long and, in reality, someone is bound to be their new target eventually. In life people are going to be jealous you can't control that. Let them hate, let them compare what you have vs what they have and laugh it off like water off a duck's back. No need to go into hiding, it's their problem and doesn't have to be yours. Think about it.. are they going home and torturing themselves about this wage injustice? Are they picketing and rioting? It's doubtful. But they are taking that frustration out on you (it's not fair but it's the nature of the green-eyed-beast). Wouldn't they win if you cut your hours back (thereby decreasing your income)?
newrn93
80 Posts
very, VERY well said. I will certainly learn from this situation]