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!!!
In Cali the state minimum wage has been rising in increments, to reach $15/hour by, I believe, 2021. Presently, I think it recently went to $12/hr, but many big minimum wage type employers have already started raising wages to $14/hr. Disconcerting when some nursing positions are still being offered at $14 to $16 an hour and employers use the phrase "competitive" in ads when describing their wages.
In Cali the state minimum wage has been rising in increments, to reach $15/hour by, I believe, 2021. Presently, I think it recently went to $12/hr, but many big minimum wage type employers have already started raising wages to $14/hr. Disconcerting when some nursing positions are still being offered at $14 to $16 an hour and employers use the phrase "competitive" in ads when describing their wages.
I guess we can see where the campaign to raise the minimum wage is going... if suddenly non-skilled workers are making just short of college educated professionals... there will have to be some kind of trickle up effect.
But to answer the OP, I would not accept minimum wage for my time... I never heard of that! It's insulting.
You should never accept less than your worth, point blank. Always make sure upfront they will pay you what you are worth, and if they will not, correct them.
Nurses need to stand up for themselves at every instance like this.
I have been an LPN for six years and I have never heard of a company paying minimum wage for a nurse to attend orientation or a mandatory meeting. This sounds like a terrible company to work for. Nurses have to stand up for there rights. If a company or agency will not pay you what you are worth keep searching for one that will. When I first started working as a nurse I worked for a home health agency briefly. After I quit and got another job, the agency was procrastinating to pay me for my final visit. So, I called corporate on them. Well, that got their attention. They called me immediately and acted like I was being ridiculous. I spoke with my former boss and told her "NO ONE WORKS FOR FREE." Later that day I got my money. Nurses PLEASE stick up for yourself!!!! If you are told to attend a meeting or complete any type of work make sure you verify you are getting paid your hourly rate and NOT minimum wage. And make sure you NEVER work off the clock!
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
In Cali the state minimum wage has been rising in increments, to reach $15/hour by, I believe, 2021. Presently, I think it recently went to $12/hr, but many big minimum wage type employers have already started raising wages to $14/hr. Disconcerting when some nursing positions are still being offered at $14 to $16 an hour and employers use the phrase "competitive" in ads when describing their wages.