At what point is it OK to discuss salary?

smartassmommy · Sep 17, 2015

It would not be unprofessional at this point since you have already been hired.

pixiestudent2 · Sep 17, 2015

They should have told you when they offered you the job...

Lulu Belle, RN, EMT-B · Sep 18, 2015

They should have told you when they offered you the job...

Except they didn't so much offer me the job, as had me sign the paperwork on the spot. I know I should have said something, but they keep catching me off guard.

Oh well, I will say something tomorrow.

Missingyou, CNA · Sep 18, 2015

Watch yourself at this place. It seems like the kind of place where if something goes wrong they will blame you. Cover your butt. Watch out for yourself and your residents. Walk away if you have to. I worked briefly at an assisted living facility where most of the residents were total or nearly total care. The facility refused to use mechanical lifts because they "are not a nursing home". Even though I desperately needed the job, I was afraid that when a resident fell or I hurt my back (and it was bound to happen!) I would be blamed. I quit and found a job where I currently work.

Lulu Belle, RN, EMT-B · Sep 18, 2015

I'm growing more and more concerned. I'm going to be a patient sitter on 3-11 tonight and 7-3 tomorrow.... ugh if I didn't need the job so bad I'd be out of there in a second.

ETA: a) they still use paper charting, b) they've yet to orient me even though I'm working tonight.... pretty sure both of those are not good

VicChic20 · Sep 18, 2015

It's not unprofessional to bring up your hourly wage, because you're hired already and should be informed of this information. It sounds like the place is a bit out of the loop as far as informing new workers. Keep aware and alert of what's going on around you.

Missingyou, CNA · Sep 18, 2015

Well, don't freak out yet. Just pay attention to what you ...and they are doing. It's likely that they have a high turn over with staff which is why they so quickly hired you and put you in orientation without pay....

~It could also be that they are just a small facility and are on a tight budget.

If you are a sitter, it's likely you will only have that one resident to care for, which will be easier to handle.

The things that are most likely to happen in a place that is questionable are things like not using a mechanical lift when clearly it's needed, constantly working too many resident's per CNA, attitudes of your fellow co-workers and team work, availability of needed supplies such as gloves/linens etc., and nurses asking CNA's to do things they shouldn't be doing, and even the way the other workers talk and treat the resident's.

Within a very short time of working there, you will know if this is the sort of place where you should be working safely.

Lulu Belle, RN, EMT-B · Sep 19, 2015

I worked 3-11 last night, I was 1:1 with a resident. Whatever. It was tough, I'd rather have an assignment, but I was warned that I'd be 1:1.

Except they told me to come in at 2 to complete some last minute paperwork, then "realized the paperwork was already complete" and made me work 2-11. Annoying, but at least it was only an hour and I got paid.

Anyways, found out that the usual ratio is 1:17 for CNAs on 3-11, sometimes they're higher. So you're right @missingyou.

Isn't that a little crazy for LTC??? I'm used to 12 max.

You're also right about the lifts. Very scary. Scariest thing of all though, is they do not have easily accessible or enforced care plans. Its kind of a free for all.

pixiestudent2 · Sep 20, 2015

I worked 3-11 last night, I was 1:1 with a resident. Whatever. It was tough, I'd rather have an assignment, but I was warned that I'd be 1:1.
Except they told me to come in at 2 to complete some last minute paperwork, then "realized the paperwork was already complete" and made me work 2-11. Annoying, but at least it was only an hour and I got paid.
Anyways, found out that the usual ratio is 1:17 for CNAs on 3-11, sometimes they're higher. So you're right @missingyou.
Isn't that a little crazy for LTC??? I'm used to 12 max.
You're also right about the lifts. Very scary. Scariest thing of all though, is they do not have easily accessible or enforced care plans. Its kind of a free for all.

How much are you getting paid..... Did you find out?

Lulu Belle, RN, EMT-B · Sep 20, 2015

Nope! I'm so stupid! After she put me in the clock, I thought we were headed back to the lady's office, right? So I'm following her, rehearsing how to bring it up, and instead she brought me straight to my resident's room and then left!