critical care differential

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to anyone that doesn't mind sharing. Does your facility give a differential, bonus or any other compensation for critical care areas? If so, how much?

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I've worked in 5 hospitals in 5 states, and not a one offered a critical care differential.

Personally, it is my opinion that med/surg nurses are the ones deserving "combat" pay.

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yeah I don't disagree, but my unit is having serious problems with staffing. We have 20 positions open for Rn's and all are being required to work mandatory overtime right now. Our morale is down in the dumps also. So myself and others thought it might help with recruitment and retainment to offer a diff. so the hospital is looking in to it. Our pay is low where I live, and the cost of living is rising by leaps and bounds so it is hard to get people here.

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Specializes in peds,picu,nicu.

Hi! I have seen sign on bonuses for certain speciality areas like CTICU or NICU, but not any type of differential. Where do you live?

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Florida

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None of the hospitals in my area have a differential that I know about

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

We were once offered a one-time $5000 bonus for critical care nurses to go from part-time/PRN to fulltime.... no differential, though. Agree with M/S nurses needing the differential for surviving in the trenches.....

We needed to have a critical debriefing meeting with all staff and directors in our NICU when we were severely understaffed 1 1/2 years ago. We were able to voice concerns and give ideas for staffing improvement. The unit stopped hemorrhaging RN's after a new manager took over and got us some good people. It took a whiloe to train everyone, but we are now fully staffed... No more call!!!!!

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Yeah, we already offer a 8,000 sign on bonus, but it is not going to be easy to recruit anyone when we are being forced to work mandatory overtime plus not get vacation or any time off. We did have a change in management recently but the two new ones are just as ineffective as the old one. Our unit is in shambles. People are leaving by the droves, which things just keep getting worse for those of us who stay. (The ones of us that are dedicated to the babies). By the way, I feel management exploits that.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Never heard of a critical care differential. Sounds interesting though.

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Specializes in retail NP.

i wish....

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).
People are leaving by the droves, which things just keep getting worse for those of us who stay. (The ones of us that are dedicated to the babies). By the way, I feel management exploits that.

I completely understand your feelings, and I agree that management often uses that as leverage in getting people to stay. But just keep in mind that people change, new opportunities arise, and sometimes a case like your unit's is what tips people over the edge... people who were probably already looking for new opportunities. It doesn't necessarily mean that they don't care about the babies, as we all do, but maybe they see a better future somewhere else. As for sticking it out, I'm with you. I stayed until we were ok, then left for a few months to try something different. I went back to NICU, and I'm confident it's where I need to be, regardless of staffing at this point. That's not to say I wouldn't leave if I found a great opportunity, or I became uncomfortable with my current position. Best of luck, and hold out..... It can only get better.

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Specializes in Level III NICU.

No differential where I work (NY). My hospital doesn't pay anything extra for certification either.

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