Encouragement needed - Frustrated and insulted by hourly rates

qnmimi · Nov 8, 2015

The money per hour you were quoted seems reasonable for a new grad. Have you considered the value of your entire benefits packages offered? Sick time/vacation paid, health care, dental, education dollars, retirement packages all factor in on your wages. These are some other perks and benefits for working in the nursing field. Also, comparing union vs nonunion (if available) can also be a factor. Respectfully speaking, think carefully about the type of nursing you would like to practice, then compare wages and benefit packages.

Momma1RN, MSN, RN, APRN · Nov 8, 2015

Hey OP. I am in Rhode Island too. We have a lot going against us: High cost of living and saturated job market for RNs being the biggest. I just started at a hospital in MA (close to RI) and expected to make more than I was in RI. Nope. Even they offered me new grad pay when I wasn't a new grad. Many of the non-union hospitals have wage freezes and people are not receiving raises. My suggestion would be to take a job at a union hospital (Rhode Island Hospital, Women & Infants, Memorial Hospital, etc.) where annual raises are built into your contract. Unfortunately, $26.50 is where Lifespan hospitals are starting new grads. Newport is even lower- $25.60. I've heard St. Anne's in Fall River pays well. Feel free to message me!

dansamy · Nov 8, 2015

I've been a nurse almost 9 years now. Including weekend & night differentials, I don't make $25+/hr. Of course, in Alabama, I make a decent, but bit wealthy, income.

RegularNurse · Nov 8, 2015

I make 39 an hour working night shift in Philly. It is 100% regional. Staff nursing is divided into pay grades, almost like the government.

You don't really have bargaining chips as a staff nurse, much less as a new grad. The only people who make serious money in healthcare are high level administration and doctors. Even as a nurse manager, you shouldn't expect much more than 100k.

Simonesays, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2015

Disclaimer......The following is not a sexist comment and I won't be responding to anyone suggesting so.....If there were more men in nursing wages would increase. And....it has less to do with what is between our legs and more with what is between our ears. What is MOST important to men and women differ when interviewing for a position. If more nurses thought like men, wages would increase.

Oof. Just a little hint: if you have to preface a statement with a disclaimer, refuting an opposition before it is even made, you might be saying something controversial and offensive. In my opinion, a sweeping generalization is generally not the best basis for a strong argument. But what do I know? I only have a woman's brain between my ears! Apparently, my gender isn't capable of standing up for ourselves or effectively negotiating our salaries. I'm not even going to point out the fallacies in the logistics of your post because that's wasting more time than I already have wasted by responding to this.

Jules A, MSN · Nov 9, 2015

Apparently, my gender isn't capable of standing up for ourselves or effectively negotiating our salaries.

Although anecdotally from what I have learned since becoming a NP is there absolutely is a reluctance to insist on top wages. There seems almost a badge of honor among those working for peanuts in the name of providing holistic care or because they work for a well known teaching hospital which is too self-important to pay decent wages.

NOADLS · Nov 9, 2015

Apparently, my gender isn't capable of standing up for ourselves or effectively negotiating our salaries.

On Seeking Arrangement, you've got bargaining power.

momof3lv · Nov 9, 2015

I'm not sure how $32 an hour is something to scoff at. Granted if you take a day shift position you won't be getting the differential. But still it's not a horrible starting pay. And if you suck it up and get at least a years experience many more doors will open for you. I started out at $32 an hour about a year and a half ago and now today make $44. Not bad but I got a large increase for taking a critical care position after my first year of experience.

Slimshady99 · Nov 9, 2015

Personally if that is what you are worrying about then maybe you have selected the wrong field anyway.

RuralRN07 · Nov 9, 2015

If you ask me, maybe you should question why you chose to join this profession to start with. Not trying to be rude, but when I decided to go to nursing school (later in life), it was not because I was seeking fortune or advancement. In fact I believe those things should come well into your career, not at the very beginning.

I DO love my job. I work in a rural hospital and sometimes we struggle even to get full time hours. I get by. But I'm not buying new cars or houses. I'm not in management, although I am relied upon for several duties that you might consider managerial. I do not yet have a BSN but I am working on it.

Patient care is, at times, thankless and seems not worth the trouble for low pay, terrible hours and rude or dangerous patients. But this is what I chose to do to help these people through some of their worst and scariest days of their lives.

If you are looking at it solely from a monetary view, then you should try administration.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2015

geez.32 bucks is my maxed out rate at 10+ years.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2015

I'm not sure how $32 an hour is something to scoff at.

In most parts of the country, $32/hourly would be a princely wage.

However, the OP is in a high cost-of-living area in southern New England where it is somewhat difficult to live on that rate of pay unless one is creative.