Going from FT to Per diem...with no pay increase?

[jinx8828]

Hi everyone,

sorry if this has been answered or if it's in the wrong category. I searched but couldn't find an exact answer.

I've been an RN since 2012 and have been working FT nights in a large teaching hospital in CT. I work on a very intense, high acuity tele floor. Most people last about 1-4 years here.

I'm going back to school full time this fall and will continue on my floor as per diem. I spoke with HR and was told that my pay rate should increase. I make about 29 base rate right now, (diff is $6/hr night and $6/hr weekend not including Sun night) and she said that 32 would be a reasonable rate for a per diem employee with my experience. I asked my manager if there was a rate increase for per diem employees and she emphatically said no, that it was not the policy. I told her that HR had said it was not a strict policy, but that most managers do pay more for per diem. She said she would look into it but hasn't gotten back to me. FYI we have had a few RNs leave lately, and several are going on maternity leave soon, so they are going to be pretty short.

My question for you guys is:

Does 29 to 32 seem reasonable for my floor, hospital, and geographic area? too high? too low? What do I do if she says no -- Our performance reviews are coming up in Sept/Oct, should I mention it again then? (also, should I expect a raise as per diem?)

Is there a good way to approach this? I feel that I deserve the 32 an hour. I'm not the best nurse but I'm always helping others, my patients love me, I've never been late and I've only called out sick once (and I was legitimately sick!). Also, looking back through this forum I saw that someone mentioned my hospital's starting rate for new grads was 27/hr.... and that was back in the mid/late 2000s. I started at 28, so I already feel a little cheated.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[naptimeRN]

I know that some hospitals, clinics, etc pay per diem nurses more. I however am not one of the lucky ones at the hospital where I work per diem. We get paid the same as everyone else (part time, full time) with the same experience.

However, if HR told you that there should be an increase in pay, I would try to get it or mention this again since it must be something they have done with others in the same position.