Advice about pay increase.

[BishopLPN, BSN]

Hey fellow LPNs! I need some advice. I have been currently working at an ICF/DD for the past 5 years. Due to budget cuts, our whole facility has had our annual raise frozen for the past two years. About a year and a half ago, we started having a difficult time acquiring and retaining nurses. Nursing management felt it was because our pay was too low in comparison to similar facilities. We have been constantly working short staffed. There have been several times on my day off I've been asked to come in and help out and I would come in so others wouldn't suffer. I've stayed over my shift to help. I feel I have gone above and beyond to help ensure we have coverage.

A couple of months ago nursing management said "hang in there. We are trying to get everybody a raise." Today a memo came out stating that everybody's base pay will be $x amount. My problem is that I already make $x due to receiving a raise my past three years with the company. So I am technically not receiving a raise.

I feel like I deserve a raise. What is the best way to bring this matter to the attention of management?

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Hey fellow LPNs! I need some advice. I have been currently working at an ICF/DD for the past 5 years. Due to budget cuts, our whole facility has had our annual raise frozen for the past two years. About a year and a half ago, we started having a difficult time acquiring and retaining nurses. Nursing management felt it was because our pay was too low in comparison to similar facilities. We have been constantly working short staffed. There have been several times on my day off I've been asked to come in and help out and I would come in so others wouldn't suffer. I've stayed over my shift to help. I feel I have gone above and beyond to help ensure we have coverage.

A couple of months ago nursing management said "hang in there. We are trying to get everybody a raise." Today a memo came out stating that everybody's base pay will be $x amount. My problem is that I already make $x due to receiving a raise my past three years with the company. So I am technically not receiving a raise.

I feel like I deserve a raise. What is the best way to bring this matter to the attention of management?

It never hurts to ask but be prepared because that base rate is probably due to federal or state increases in minimum wage. You'll get lectures about Medicare reimbursement rates and wage compaction. I worked in that industry as an RN for 6 years - finally got a clue and left.

HPPY

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Today a memo came out stating that everybody's base pay will be $x amount. My problem is that I already make $x due to receiving a raise my past three years with the company. So I am technically not receiving a raise.

I feel like I deserve a raise. What is the best way to bring this matter to the attention of management?

Speak up and notify management that the upcoming changes will not result in a raise for you. Tell them that you'd like a raise, too.

What's the worst thing they could say? "No." However, you will not be receiving a pay increase if you remain silent. Good luck to you.

[LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN]

I do not work in your field but I had a situation where I was going way above and beyond my job description and deserved to be paid as such. Thankfully I had a good boss and basically said (in a professional manner) that either I needed a raise or move onto job that was less demanding for the same pay. I ended up getting a $3/hour raise, so it doesn't hurt to ask! I really would have moved on if I had not been given a raise though, I was a damn work horse getting paid in peanuts.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

It never hurts to ask. I would be prepared though. Make sure you reheorifice what you are going to say. What have you done to help your team? Have you found cost saving incentives? Basically how are you valuable. Good luck!