Am I a chump in nursing?

[swan9144]

When is a good time to negotiate a higher salary? I've been a RN for 1.5 years and just accepted a new job at a new hospital with a few cent pay decrease. My coworker has been a RN for 3.5 years and just accepted the same job at the same hospital earning about .80-$1 more than her previous position at our employer. I feel like a chump! I've started orientation and she hasn't. Any suggestions? Do I have any leverage? Thank you.

[ItsTheDude]

any leverage, not likely in this economy.

your friend has 2 more years exp than you, i'd expect them to make more than you.

[swan9144]

Thanks dude! I want to hear the truth even if it hurts. She should make more, but possibly up to $2k a year more for 2 more years of experience? Is that equitable? Thank you.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

It seems reasonable to me that someone with 2 more years experience would make a dollar more then you. Maybe even more. Our hospital does pay increases twice I year I think it was, for critical to recruit areas which they consider nurses to be.

[DirtyBlackSocks]

I would think an additional 2 years experience would warrant more than a dollar an hour increase over a 1.5 year nurse.

If you think you aren't making enough, challenge them on it - just be prepared to reap the consequences.

There are a lot of factors to take into consideration when dealing with pay rates between employee's. Just because you've been a nurse for 1.5 years does not equate to a higher level of experience, it's interdependent on what you've done within those 1.5 years and what your performance records show.

That being said - if you think you're top notch material, then challenging your pay rate is perfectly acceptable. If you think you deserve more money strictly on the basis of being in the field for 1.5 years...well that's still a rookie nurse by most standards.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

In addition to believing that your co-worker should be making >$1 more than you, I also believe that your chance to negotiate was before accepting the offer. You have no leverage at this point, and trying to negotiate after the fact would not reflect very well on you with your new employer.

[onetiredmomma]

Most hospitals have a pay scale that is based on years: 1-3,4-6.7-10 or something similar. My experience has been, where you are on that scale in terms of experience is what you get. If it really bothers you after orientation, talk with your manager but remember the admonition we all get about not sharing our wage info with coworkers!

[NurseNinaFla]

A few years ago a new employee(a nurse)was assigned to work with me on our unit,I had been there at the time for about 15yrs. but because she had about 10yrs exp. more than me she was paid about $3.00 more on the hour