Disappointed in pay

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

Alf pay is ridiculous... period. I am an RN with 30 years experience., was offered 19/hr.
Think of it as a learning experience, focus on your NEXT job, gain the experiences you need to move into that.
Good luck.

OP where do you live? I live in MD and was offered 22.50/hr as my first job in ALF.

optimist · Aug 4, 2011

Am I the only one wondering why a facility would want a brand new grad as a shift supervisor??? Isnt that a postition that would require at least a few years of nursing experience. And a supervisor making 13/hr is likely making less than those they are supervising.Something just doesnt seem right with that picture

TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN · Aug 4, 2011

You really can't put a price on experience. If this job is filling your needs when it comes to positioning yourself for a better job down the road, and the pay is enough to keep you going, then you are in a VERY good position indeed. Many of the friends you have now who are earning more money may well never get the kind of experience you describe as being available to you. Don't get too caught up in money at this stage of your career. Money will come with experience and what you are going to learn will be invaluable. Congratulations, and good luck.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

Am I the only one wondering why a facility would want a brand new grad as a shift supervisor??? Isnt that a postition that would require at least a few years of nursing experience. And a supervisor making 13/hr is likely making less than those they are supervising.Something just doesnt seem right with that picture

Long Term Care....... :smokin:

In this economy.....you have a job with benefits! Enjoy and learn!!

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

Am I the only one wondering why a facility would want a brand new grad as a shift supervisor??? Isnt that a postition that would require at least a few years of nursing experience. And a supervisor making 13/hr is likely making less than those they are supervising.Something just doesnt seem right with that picture

Unless the subordinate employees have been there a long time, they probably have hourly rates lower as well... And no- LTC facilities hire inexperienced people all the time. And it is a scary first job (I wasn't even licensed- but a GN- when I got hired after school as the only RN-educated person in the building- I did have LPNs with experience, which was a godsend). But you can also learn a lot- the big thing is to not be afraid to call a doc if something isn't right... if they yell, remember YOU are taking care of the patient- and not there to be sure the doc sleeps (don't bug him unnecessarily, but don't be afraid to call :))

MrChicagoRN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

I am a recent LPN graduate and decided to start my career off in an ALF, to gain the necessary experience in the management side of nursing. Especially with things that I did not learn in school such as paperwork. I live in Florida. I realize that pay down here is less than up north for example wisconsin...
I am trying to look at the bright side of it.
1. the facility seems good, the DON was very open and honest about everything that the facility deals with on a personal lefvel and i appreciated that.
2. It is a job..it puts money in my pocket!
3. It is close to home which makes transportation very cheap
4. I am gaining the management experience that I need and also good references for future.
5. The hours fit my schedule and I have weekends off.
However, I would appreciate a little more pay! Especially sine I will be filling big shoes while the LPN that runs the place has her baby next month!
Any ideas regarding this?

Sounds like you have a lot of good reasons for making the choices you did. :up:

And comparing salaries between locales can be tricky. I recently saw, in Louisville, a position that is a step up from my current level but only paid ~$3,000 more. However when I used an online calculator for cost of living comparison, I discovered that the KY pay would be equivalent to a 29% increase over what I was making due to the drastic difference in living costs.

queenjulie, RN · Aug 4, 2011

I grew up in wisconsin..where 13/hr was what CNAS made.

Holy cow! I hire CNAs at $8/hour every day at a home health agency in rural North Carolina. The most I've seen them paid around here is $9/hour.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

Although there are positives to the job, I'd keep my eyes open for something better. My CNAs make 17 an hour. The pay you are receiving is too low.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

Although there are positives to the job, I'd keep my eyes open for something better. My CNAs make 17 an hour. The pay you are receiving is too low.

But pay is so regional... you obviously work where pay rates in general are higher than many parts of the country :)

joanna73, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

Actually nurses and CNAs are unionized where I am. We all receive good pay. Employers don't have the option to low ball. Thank god for unions :)

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

Actually nurses and CNAs are unionized where I am. We all receive good pay. Employers don't have the option to low ball. Thank god for unions :)

I'm so glad I never had to deal with the people unionized facilities can't get rid of JMHO

joanna73, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

There are good and poor workers in all facilities, union and non unionized. We have ways of weeding bad apples out. The collective agreements will only carry anyone so far.