As a RN did you ever get paid minimum wage for a training?

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Specializes in ER.

The other day I experienced one of the most unprofessional encounters in my life.I'am a RN,BSN with 11 years of experience; ER,Trauma,Med/surge,Case Management,Home Care and OB/GYN. I'm about to start my MSN,Ed on August, I was looking for a side job, an extra income for my college, I'm planning to pay on cash and be debt free. So I went for interview with this agency, as soon as the interview was over they were ready to scheduled me for orientation ; no job offer or salary discussion at all, I assumed like other companies they are going to e-mailed me all the details before the orientation, it never happened.

Finally I went for orientation, as soon as I arrived I asked to speak with my recruiter in order to discuss pay rate, for my surprise my recruiter "call in sick" ,at that point I was about to leave however another recruiter took the time to explained me ; 18.00 to 22.00 for private duty,35.00 for home visits and who knows how much for staff/shift at hospitals and yes that's the RN pay rate. I choose to stay after all is only a side job, an extra income so whatever. We completed a couple of modules in the computer, went for break, as soon as we came back I heard one of the other nurses having an argument outside the lunch room, she was upset about the orientation pay rate, It was 8.75,I was in shock.

I completely understand my biggest mistake was assume, assume, assume, I know, I get it, however I never thought a company that hires Nurses on the daily basis will have such a lack of ethic and respect for Nurses, it was too much to handle!!! I just need to vent!!!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

This is not uncommon in the world of home care unfortunately

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
18.00 to 22.00 for private duty,35.00 for home visits

I just need to vent!!!

Yeah. Wow. I can understand, Marian.

Home Health was paying these wages when I was working that area in the early/mid 90's!

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Minimum wage for the training session(s) is a lot better than nothing, which I have received in the past, in home health. I do prefer though, to be paid my going rate for those hours. When a company pays the nursing rate for training, that tells me it looks like I have a chance at being treated well.

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If the minimum wage is rising in your area, you should ask if the company intends to raise their nursing rates ($18/hr is too close to $15/hr minimum wage if you ask me). Also, in my state, supposedly the Medicaid reimbursement rates increased on July 1. One of my employers has stated they are giving us a raise in October based on that rate increase. Ask about that too if it pertains to your area.

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

That pay rate seems very low for the visits etc. I have never been paid min. wage for training/orientation, always the going RN rate. I might have done it for min. wage, depending on how many hours they wanted, but I also would be upset that they did not tell that upfront.

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Specializes in Pedi.

No, never. Trainings are work and I expect to be paid my regular rate of pay. The only hours I've ever been paid less than my regular rate for were on call hours. We got something like $6/hr for 2 hours to be on call on weekends before my floor got rid of weekend on call when I worked in the hospital. But the rule was they could only call us between 5-7am to come in for days or 5-7pm for nights. After 7pm, you were off the hook.

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Specializes in ER.
If the minimum wage is rising in your area, you should ask if the company intends to raise their nursing rates ($18/hr is too close to $15/hr minimum wage if you ask me). Also, in my state, supposedly the Medicaid reimbursement rates increased on July 1. One of my employers has stated they are giving us a raise in October based on that rate increase. Ask about that too if it pertains to your area.

Well,here the minimum wage is 8.75$,when I asked them what was the rationale behind that number,they state and I quote "Because our groups are full of different health providers like ; CNA,MA,RN and LPN we offer the same rate to everybody",I was like,really? that doesn't make any sense to me,because none of these health professionals are at minimum wage!!! In any case if you don't want to "over pay" employees you should stablish a decent flat rate, no minimum wage!!

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Specializes in ER.
No, never. Trainings are work and I expect to be paid my regular rate of pay. The only hours I've ever been paid less than my regular rate for were on call hours. We got something like $6/hr for 2 hours to be on call on weekends before my floor got rid of weekend on call when I worked in the hospital. But the rule was they could only call us between 5-7am to come in for days or 5-7pm for nights. After 7pm, you were off the hook.

Exactly!!! In 11 years as a Nurse this is the first time I heard such a thing!!!

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Looks like it's not only a skunky thing to do but it's in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act:

Can an Employer Pay Less During Training? - The Workplace Report with Ancel Glink

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.

Minimum wage is all that I get for required training/inservices/etc.. I work for two - sometimes three - different agencies, doing private duty home care.

It is part of the contract; they all do the same.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.
If the minimum wage is rising in your area, you should ask if the company intends to raise their nursing rates ($18/hr is too close to $15/hr minimum wage if you ask me).

My state is $7.50/hr. One of the gubanatorial candidates wants to make it $10.

No, I've never been paid less than my full wage for whatever I was there doing. Paperwork, workshop, staff meetings or regular duty.

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