How can I bring this up??

mandrews · Sep 6, 2005

I would make an appointment with HR and say," I was looking over your job descriptions and noticed the base pay is 17.?. I have 5 years LPN experience and I don't believe my experience was taken into consideration when I was hired. What can we do to work this out?"

I wouldn't tell anyone I was discussing salarys, it is never a good idea.

jkaee · Sep 6, 2005

I would make an appointment with HR and say," I was looking over your job descriptions and noticed the base pay is 17.?. I have 5 years LPN experience and I don't believe my experience was taken into consideration when I was hired. What can we do to work this out?"
I wouldn't tell anyone I was discussing salarys, it is never a good idea.

I have heard of someone that got actually got terminated for discussing her salary with others. To the OP, if I were you, I'd just forget it. Bringing it up to HR will most likely NOT change anything....and may get you and/or your friend in some hot water....not to mention it will show you in a negative light. The pay differences may be due to different units, different staffing, different responsibilities, on call duties.....whatever. But, in the end, it's none of your business what she makes or why. I'm not trying to be harsh here, because I know friends may discuss things like that, but now you just need to try and forget about it and move on with your career.

Good luck.

jsteine1 · Sep 6, 2005

,

Nurses need to fight for fair and lawful treatment like any other profession. I have found over the years that they dont for fear of employer retaliation, concern about their image as caretakers etc. Discriminatory hiring practices are against the law, NOTpaying overtime whether it was authorized or not is against the law, terminating an employee for following a valid grievance procedure is also against the law. The squeaky wheel does not win any popularity contests, but I can tell you this: Employees who follow policy, do their homework and follow procedures regarding lodging complaints of unfair pay or treatment will be treated in an exceptionally respectful manner. Employers hate labor problems, its just that simple. Labor complaints take an enormous amount of time and resources to resolve, they can cost money if the employer is found in the wrong, labor complaints make supervisors look bad, very bad.They will not make stupid mistakes with an employee who appropriately makes them aware at both the CNO and HR level that they are walking the line in either matters of pay, treatment, benefits allocation. Try it, you'll like it! Again, note, I said follow the company policy and procedures, send your concerns in writing, typed, professional looking and certified mail. Save copies of correspondence and mail receipts. Dont overtly threaten, the facts will send the powerful message. Follow the chain of command as prescribed in your employee handbook. For heavy discussions with either HR or your immediate supervisor, ask for a witness, take notes and obtain signatures on your notes before leaving the meeting that your notations accurately portrayed the discussion. Most of all, do not discuss your matter with co-workers, it will backfire on you. I have personally never had a negative issue with an employer, but I have been an employer at a high level for 30 years. Employees who approach their issue in this way will get results and long lasting respect.

nursemomruns · Sep 6, 2005

I just got my2nd paycheck from this facility where I am a precepting as a new grad.
I worked around 16 hours of overtime with my preceptor, and no we weren't piddling around, and I got NO overtime pay on my check. None. I checked the handbook for employess and it says all overtime has to be approved ny the nurse manager, but, I asked my preceptor about getting it approved and she said my nurse manager isn't a stickler about it b/c she knows how crazy busy our unit is. Also, I couldn't have gotten it approved anyways b/c we work 12 hour shifts, and our manager leaves way befor us and she was also gone for a few days last week. [end quote]
Do you use a badge to swipe in and out? Or punch a timeclock, etc.? If you swiped in and out, you have to be paid for the hours on your time card/clock. Manager's approval is not needed - check out the U.S. Dept of Labor website for further information. If your overtime was not warranted (i.e., you were socializing and didn't punch out on time), then your hospital can discipline you for that, but cannot omit your pay. I worked for a hospital that got cited for that very thing.

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Sep 6, 2005

starting RN out of school wage here is 20.50/hr (texas).

Starting ICU wage is 24.00/hr (plus differentials)

in short, I'd find another job.

You're being taken advantage of.

~faith,

Timothy.

DonnaLee · Sep 6, 2005

I just got my2nd paycheck from this facility where I am a precepting as a new grad.
I worked around 16 hours of overtime with my preceptor, and no we weren't piddling around, and I got NO overtime pay on my check. None. I checked the handbook for employess and it says all overtime has to be approved ny the nurse manager, but, I asked my preceptor about getting it approved and she said my nurse manager isn't a stickler about it b/c she knows how crazy busy our unit is. Also, I couldn't have gotten it approved anyways b/c we work 12 hour shifts, and our manager leaves way befor us and she was also gone for a few days last week.
We get paid every 2 weeks.
Also, a my best friend just got hired on with the same hospital. She is also a new RN and we both graduated from LPN school together 5 years ago. We are on the same level as far as education and experience is concerned. She is getting $2/hr more than me and she is working days, where I am working 3-11. She said that HR told her that starting pay for RN ranges from 17.80 to 28.80. I am getting 17.80 and she is getting 19.80 b/c she has experience as an LPN. What am I, chopped liver??? If she works 3-11, like me, she will get an extra 10% on top her her $19.80/hr.
Part of me is just hapy to have a job. I know sooo many people that would give an eye to make what I do, but geeesh, between the overtime and the wage difference, I am considering finding employment elsewhere.
Who should I talk to about this? Do you think I am right in being upset?

I think you have a perfectly valid reason for being upset. I do, however, believe that you need to tell this exact same story to a person that can do something about it. After working in nursing for 27 years, I have found that alot of us are the caring/giving type and find it hard to be an advocate for ourselves. Make an appointment with the manager, have your handbook with you and your paystub and ask to have it explained to you. I wouldn't mention the other nurses, just your case and then I would mention the other nurse if things still don't seem right. If you were going to give a med and were not quite sure of a dose you would check it out.

I know it is very hard to confront anyone, especially when it comes to money. But you will find that there will be many situations where you have to do this as a nurse and in life in general. If it makes you uncomfortable "feel the fear and do it anyway."

I worked as a nursing supervisor for many years and my goal was to have nurses working with me learn to speak up and questions others....and I don't mean in an aggressive way - just quietly state your own truth. You will learn alot by doing this. SO, get your stuff together, make a list of questions and go see the manager. Changing jobs is not the answer. I have found that what ever I run from follows me and uncannily, you WILL run into this again until you have the courage to confront it.