Hourly vs Salary

Mary Dover · Mar 3, 2002

I'm on salary Jeansky. I too, work in an office, but it is a community mental health center governed by county officials. I work in an extremely rural area but it is geographically the largest county in my state. Comparitively speaking, this particular county is in like the bottom 12% as far as pay for the type of work I do. Currently I am the only nurse in my center. We have 2 other centers which come under the same 'umbrella' as us, and would you believe one of them has 2 nurses, the other has 6. Most recently, I am being transitioned into a more administrative role, which has added multiple other responsibilites in addition to ALL the nursing duties. I'm not one to whine or complain, but have felt so overwhelmed lately, I've pretty much told them either get me some help or I will consider other options.

I work a sort of 'flex time'. Work hours are normally 8-5. Some staff work 4 ten hour days/week. I asked a few years ago, to be allowed to cut my lunch break to 30 min. so quitting time could be 4:30 for me. The leaving at 4:30 usually works out pretty good. But the lunch break - forget about it. No such thing as lunch.

The other day, I learned that a coworker, social worker, is making about 5k/yr more than me. I felt I had been slapped in the face.

The only real reward is the respect I feel I get from some of my patients and a few of my colleagues. The other day, when feeling overwhelmed to the point of considering resigning, a patient told me...."you are well thought of in the looney world". One of the doctors I work with once voted me 'employee of the month'. When he tells patients to call the center prn, he says "just call my nurse". I could feel dumped on, because he should be referring them to their primary clinicians (who are social workers though), but to me, it implies he has more confidence in me, and that feels pretty good.

I realize I am rambling here, but it actually feels pretty good to vent to someone who may understand. I read what you wrote the other day about calling in meds, and considered responding to that post. Although our practices may have a lot of differences, there may be a lot of similarities as well. Feel free to email me anytime Jeansky.

Mary

Mary Dover · Mar 3, 2002

Oh yeah, I forgot - I only get paid once a month. Makes life interesting.

nursedawn67, LPN · Mar 3, 2002

I work in LTC and get paid hourly, I work 12 hour shifts, but manage to get some overtime. They don't complain about the nurses getting overtime, just the CNA's. But what do they want? If there is a shortage of aides that day, and the only one's that will come in are getting overtime what am I suppossed to do let them work short and compromise resident care? NOT!! But I suppose it pretty much like this in all LTC.

Vailgang · Mar 4, 2002

I am not sure which way I would vote for if I had to chose between salary or hourly. I went salary when I became the office manager along with being the nurse. I did get a raise and so I am better off financially with salary. I however seldom take advantage of coming in for only a few hours and getting paid for the full day, this is one of the percs of salary that don't exsist for me.

I arrive at the office around 8 and on a rare occassion we take a fast lunch break. I leave the office around 6 or sometimes it is 8. It is usually because the doctors arrive late or just take needed time with the patients and we do have to double book. We are suppose to be done on Friday's at noon but that rarely happens because I like to catch up for the next week. I hope that you don't think I am complaining I am only trying to get you to see what my office is like.

I guess my suggestion is if you do go salary make sure you get enough that it will compensate for all your time. You sound like me you stay until the work is done. I do joke with my doctors when I am working more than 40 hours that I am getting in the overtime. They appreciate my work and the unpaid overtime so it helps me.

Hope this helps. Thanks for the advice on the refills, I will try it.

darla80 · Mar 9, 2002

I am the only nurse in a one doc Internal Med office and I am paid hourly

I love it because I do get 2-4 hours weekly overtime.

Time and a half helps pay the tuition billls. (I have two sons in college)

We talked about salary but I think I would be like some of you and work long hours..

Anyway for right now The doctor I work for is very fair and recognizes my efforts with overtime pay.

I love it!!

Catcha Later!! Joy and Smiles *DARLA**

hanksRN · Nov 13, 2003

What is the going hourly rate for a physicians office nurse these days? I am looking, currently for an office position, part time. The last time I worked in an office, it was $16.00/hr., and that was two years ago!

I just didn't know what to expect as far as pay rate.

Marsha

maineiac · Nov 21, 2003

One of the long term problems in any nursing setting is the people who are attracted to this work are caring and generous to a fault

Be sure when moving from hourly to salary you track how many actual hours you put in and calculate accordingly.Also consider how much income you generate for your practice.You will be startled at your true worth.

Proper treatment begins with yourself.I believe Eleanor Roosevelt said"nobody can take advantage of you without your consent"[may not be exact quote]If you allow yourself to be paid unfairly you also set a dangerous precedent for all others who follow in your footsteps and you send an unconscious[?] message to yourself that you are not worth it.No wonder we feel frusterated and unappreciated.

This is an important issue for me ,for the first time ever I held out for a payrate I can actually live on and feel is fair.To my great surprise my bosses do too.As a result I don't mind doing extra work at home or giving a bit more time.

good luck don't hesitate to write if you need a champion

MonicaRose · Dec 18, 2003

Careful what you ask for my fellow nurse---I am currentlly a salaried OHN. This generally means 50 ++ hours of work for what you once believed would be a 40 hour week. Yes, it may mean you have some freedom related to your work hours and even a short day occasionally--- but it will also mean many a long day. As a responsible employee you will put your time in one way or another (this could mean taking work home, on vacation, etc). If you work a short day you will make up the time in one way or another. Salaried benefit packages are often better---something to be considered.