How much is a normal raise

Labmom1118 · May 6, 2016

I believe mine was 3% last year plus I received a bump in pay (as did all staff) to bring the hourly pay more in line with what other hospitals in the area were paying)

We didn't receive merit raises the last couple of years but they're bringing them back and we just got raises to keep us competitive because we were losing nurses. That amounted to a couple of extra dollars plus an extra $1.50 weekend dif. Really made a difference. Our merit raises are usually about 2% so you really don't notice. My hospital also pays 50 cents each for up to 2 certifications (for me, NRP and STABLE) and you can get an extra dollar for an RNC or IBCLC. It's worth it to see what can get you extra money.

canigraduate · May 6, 2016

I'll talk specific numbers.

I was hired as a new grad at $19.25 an hour in 2012, which was actually pretty good for the area I was in. I received a raise after the first six months of $0.23/hr. After a year, I received another small raise (can't remember how much anymore). When I left, after 2.5 years, I had made it up to $20.13. My next job, I received $3/hr increase. I was at that job for three months and moved to a different state. I made $28-something/hr there. I was at that job for 8 months, then moved to a different state. I worked agency there and made $30-35 per hour, depending on the job. Finally, I moved to where I am now and I started at $30.25 at a staff hospital job (that I hate, by the way, in a state and healthcare system that tries to make us eat poop and tells us to believe it is chocolate). I recently got a $0.72 merit increase that was supposed to be after 6 months. It was 4 months late, but I got it. (2.3% raise, for those who don't like math.) That ended me up at $30.97.

If I had stayed at my original job, given a 3% raise every year (which is very generous and more than I was getting), I would only be at $21.63.

So, job hopping has been very good to me. Way better than "loyalty."

LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN · May 10, 2016

The only time I have ever received more than a 2-3% raise was when I was in a position, most likely the first and last time lol, to say either pay me for doing several people's jobs, or I am out. I got a $3/hour raise, will never see that happen again!

My facility did do a hike to start matching other area wages, I got $1/hour from that. But nurses who had been there forever didn't receive any raise because they already made above that. I understood why there were frustrated!

roser13, ASN, RN · May 10, 2016

We are always told everywhere it is against policy and you can be fired for discussing salaries. I'd like the data source on the comment that it is illegal. I think people SHOULD discuss compensation, and we wouldn't be such suckers....

Policy is not law. Companies can certainly make their own policies and require that employees abide by them or risk termination. Policies have nothing to do with law.

klone, MSN, RN · May 10, 2016

Policy is not law. Companies can certainly make their own policies and require that employees abide by them or risk termination. Policies have nothing to do with law.

But if a policy breaks federal law, then not only can a company not enforce it, but they can also be penalized. Companies can't just make any old policy, if it's against the law.

A gag order on employees discussing their compensation with each other does indeed violate federal law and if a person is fired for that reason, the company can be steeply penalized, including owing the employee back pay.

MJB2010 · May 10, 2016

Job hopping used to be frowned upon for nurses, now I encourage it. It really is the only way to get your pay increased. There is no incentive to stay loyal at all anymore.

klone, MSN, RN · May 11, 2016

Job hopping used to be frowned upon for nurses, now I encourage it. It really is the only way to get your pay increased. There is no incentive to stay loyal at all anymore.

Except for retirement vesting.

Cactus Nurse · May 12, 2016

I agree with 2% is better than zero.... but hey you have experience- look for another job.... it won't hurt to at least hunt and go for interviews... If you are unhappy with not only the pay, but your fellow nurses- meaning they call out and you feel the burden of covering the shift, then leave them and make yourself happy.... you're in school and you don't need the stress of work to affect your grades... I personally have had luck with each new job, I've gotten higher pay... first it was $1, then now $2 and I got what I wanted 12hr shifts... I had to look and be patient, but now i'm getting better pay ($21, when I started at $18 6 months ago) and I work 12hr shifts. You can find something else if you are unhappy.

Good luck!

Farawyn · May 12, 2016

Boom, just got 2% now and back pay for last- and 2.5 for the next 2 years, with health and dental not changing.

Sadly, I'm thrilled.

klone, MSN, RN · May 12, 2016

'Pay Secrecy' Policies At Work: Often Illegal, And Misunderstood : NPR

When the Boss Says, 'Don't Tell Your Coworkers How Much You Get Paid' - The Atlantic

Employee Rights | NLRB

Sully64 · May 12, 2016

Good news! I asked to speak with my manager last week about my raise, and she scheduled an appointment for the end of this week. However, I got an email yesterday saying that my raise had been adjusted up another 1%. So I am guessing she knew what I wanted to meet about. I am feeling better about it now, and it takes the pressure off of our meeting on Friday. I was nervous for it, but now I feel a lot better.

Sully64 · May 12, 2016

I appreciate all of your responses. Now I feel much more grateful for even getting a raise at all. It is so sad to see that nurses just do not get pay increases like we used to. It is not surprising that turnover is so high.