Do you think this is fair compensation for orientation?

Katie5 · Nov 26, 2009

Did that manager get hit in the head or something?

Tait, MSN, RN · Nov 26, 2009

Sounds like a scam. I would investigate the legality, watch my back and keep looking for another job.

But that is just me.

Tait

sasha1224 · Nov 26, 2009

Frankly, no. Especially since it is after the fact. But you have to decide how far to push it. If you really want the job, you may have to just take what they give you. Especially, if you are in a "right to work" state. These folks can pretty much do what they want. If you didn't not get it in writing about the hourly wage, then you probably don't have much recourse. If you push the issue with the management, they may decide to just let you go. Most likely, they know this and are exploiting this to their advantage. If you really like the work and want to stay, then you might have to just take what they deal you. Good luck to you.

lvnjden4ever, R.N. · Nov 26, 2009

They knew from my resume that it's taken me one year to get a job since licensure. The Bay Area of California is just a tough area to get an entry level job in nursing right now. I'm not really upset about the starting rate changed to $25. It's more about getting paid $30 for an entire days work just because they want to call it orientation.

When I walked in the door she told me my rate would be lowered for orientation. She said it would be half rate, then later in the day she changed her mind and said she would think of a fair price. To think that me doing 6 hours of work trying my best to learn everything and help everyone was worth $30!

Oh well I guess. I will stick with this job until I get a chance at a hospital...it's better than nothing I guess.

Plagueis · Nov 26, 2009

$30 for 6 hours of work means a wage of $5 per hour! That's less than the federal minimum wage, less than what CNAs earn around here in southern NJ (between $9 to $14 per hour), and considerably less than the $35 (now cut down to $25) per hour you were told you would make. That isn't a fair compensation for orientation at all.

Five dollars an hour for nursing?! :eek: You could earn more doing almost any other job (e.g. Walmart; grocery store clerk, McDonald's, etc.), and you wouldn't have had to go through the exhausting and challenging demands of nursing school. What that clinic did to you is wrong.

roser13, ASN, RN · Nov 26, 2009

While I understand your reluctance to rock the boat, given the local job market, I do think that if you don't stand up for yourself now, they may continue to take advantage of you.

One thing I would suggest is to go the manager and point out just how many "promises" have changed during your short tenure. Maybe have it all written down so that you don't forget anything. Request that your pay rate be officially agreed upon and noted. Whether you revert to the $35 per hour is up to you.

I would definitely point out that they paid you less than federal minimum wage for your first 2 days. Remind them that they hired you for your license. You can bet your bootie that their advertising reflects the fact that an RN is performing the esthetic treatments.

Meanwhile, keep on looking for a hospital job.

Otessa, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2009

Get EVERYTHING in writing!!

Sound quite fishy to me-what else are they going to change for their convenience.

otessa

SusanKathleen, RN · Nov 26, 2009

Wow. That is really nasty. I would have second thoughts about working there, but because of the poor job market....you may not find another job soon. I wonder what other nasty tricks they'll come up with. I hope this works out well for you, and that you end up liking your new job. Best wishes to you. Keep us informed about how it's going.

sunnycalifRN · Nov 26, 2009

While I understand your reluctance to rock the boat, given the local job market, I do think that if you don't stand up for yourself now, they may continue to take advantage of you.
One thing I would suggest is to go the manager and point out just how many "promises" have changed during your short tenure. Maybe have it all written down so that you don't forget anything. Request that your pay rate be officially agreed upon and noted. Whether you revert to the $35 per hour is up to you.
I would definitely point out that they paid you less than federal minimum wage for your first 2 days. Remind them that they hired you for your license. You can bet your bootie that their advertising reflects the fact that an RN is performing the esthetic treatments.
Meanwhile, keep on looking for a hospital job.

Couldn't have said it better, so I'll quote it. If you let this first one go, next thing you know, they'll change your hourly rate. I work in the SF Bay area also, and I'm kind of surprised that they're offering $35/hr for work in a clinic. That's starting rate for hospital, too. Bottom line, document everything, keep records and if they "promise" something, get it in writing.

Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2009

If they do not pay you correctly now for your time they will not pay you correctly in the future. They cannot cut you hourly wages down for orientation. That is illegal. They have to pay you your hourly wage for all time worked.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Nov 26, 2009

Consider this a learning experience. You must get everything in writing. Orientation pay, regular pay, overtime pay. Vacation time and pay etc. I have had this type of thing happen to me to.

I stayed for a while documented everything and in the end turned the company into wage and labor.

You might want to stay there for at least a short time to get references from fellow employees. But since they are already cheating you, you can only expect more of the same from them.

Work for them for a couple of weeks, expect that you won't get paid, then tell one of the doctors or owners what has been happening, and take them to court, if you have the documentation.

Let us know what happens