RN for 25 years

[kjpf1315]

I've been an RN for 25 years in a private specialty practice. I have been making 20.00 per hour since 2001. I have not received a cost of living raise in 6 years. (I do receive a bonus each year, but it has not changed significantly). My work load has not decreased, in fact we take care of more patients now than ever before. Typically, do staff nurses who work that long in the hospitals eventually stop receiving cost of living raises? When an employee "tops out" does that usually include cost of living raises? I would love to hear from other nurses who have worked longterm for the same employer. Thanks!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I topped out after 15 years at the same place. No raises, no cost of living raise. The only way to get a raise was a "market adjustment" when they raised the top and gave all of us a raise, in order to stay competetive in the community and they haven't done that in a while.

We do have a bonus program where they keep your salary the same, but give you a bonus, depending upon your evaluation. Mine was $1200 last year.

I recently got a raise because I took a charge nurse position which has a higher top. I'm getting another raise when I finish my BSN which will probably take me to the top again and into the land of no raises.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Yes, as Tweety described, each position within a given institution usually has a "top" compensation. Each position has a defined salary range. The details may be structured a little differently from place to place (bonus vs cost-of-living, etc.), but eventually you hit that top rate of pay and don't see any more increases unless there is a general increase that increases the top of the range for your position.

I also reached the top of my range 2 years ago, but got lucky and they had a general market adjustment and the top of the range went up a bit. I will probably reach the new top next year.

[JoycMarr]

I am fortunate to work for a facility that does not have top-out pay. I was making $27 a hour within 5 years of graduating RNs school. (advanced in my job roles some too)