$29/hr--why am I still in this job!?

Specialties NP

Published

Yes, you read that right. Been in same FNP position over a decade, and have had two raises in that time. Presently making $29/hr. Other staff in the facility is underpaid as well I am certain (nursing, lab, etc). RN's in the area probably make in the mid-20s, maybe upper 20s with longevity. I don't hate the job, but every time I think about the low compensation, I get angry! It's a rural area, so not much for other options here.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I live in a rural area but am willing to commute. Is that an option?

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You must be in the midwest or south. That's extremely low for mid-level pay. Of course as an NP you have limitless options to go make more money somewhere else.

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I make more than that as a RN, in the Upper Midwest.

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Specializes in ICU.

$29/hr--why am I still in this job!?

Only you can really answer why you have not moved after the first year of exp. The other years are all on you.

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I hope the cost of living there is free.

Seriously, no kidding. In rural areas where I live, RNs & NPs get a high starting salary, signing bonus, premiums, monthly Retention Bonus and allowances. Sometimes, I genuinely consider the notion of working in a rural area once I've completed my BScN.

My questions to you @ndnursepract are: WHY ARE YOU STILL IN THIS JOB? CAN YOU MAKE A CHANGE?

I am currently a Registered Practical Nurse (2-year Diploma) and I made $28.55/hr in my last bedside position. The OP should seriously consider moving. $29/hr doesn't even justify all the schooling, time, money and sacrifice it took for the OP to become a Nurse Practitioner -- I totally understand her justifiable anger/frustration. That wage is offensive for an NP. Why is it that MD's salaries/wages are never questioned, but when it comes to any tier of Nurse we get nickle'd and dime'd for the lowest possible wages. Eventually, this does come back to bite employers in the butt (they just don't care enough to consider the impact/ramifications), because the (capital Q) Quality Nurses don't stick around for long. Then, all these employers are left with nurses who are less confident, less competent, speak broken/poor English, are clinically clumsy, have less industry experience, poor bedside manner, etc. I watched it happen at my last workplace, and patient/family complaints were escalating as a result.

Last year, I interviewed at an dermatologist's office (the clinic was botox, dermal filler and laser treatment focused -- Aesthetics Nursing is one of the many post-grad certifications I have). The dermatologist's wife was the clinic manager and interviewed me. To start, she offered me their "standard hourly wage offer of $14/hr...plus incentives/bonuses for good performance". Keep in mind, General Minimum Wage in my province is currently $11.40 per hour. I took a look around, asked some questions and took note of the fact that all the clinic only hired very young nurses, most of whom didn't know any better, were fresh out of school/saddled with loans and desperate for a job (thus, would accept whatever terms any employer would throw at them in an attempt to gain employment). I didn't even pretend to consider the $14/hr, and they said they weren't prepared to budge on that offer. I immediately told them this won't be a good fit and left. They later called me, offering me $17.50/hr; and, this was after I told them I wouldn't start at less than $20/hr. I still see ads for this clinic floating around job posting boards. Seems like they're still having trouble maintaining a full-time staff. :no:

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Why is it that MD's salaries/wages are never questioned, but when it comes to any tier of Nurse we get nickle'd and dime'd for the lowest possible wages.

My guess is because it pays off more often than not and that is on us! There is a fine line between being a victim and a volunteer.

I'm very well paid in my geographic area as well as my specialty but believe me when I say I have had every single employer, sans one who was a Doc I had worked with previously recruiting me for his private practice, make no attempt to hide the coking noise when I tell them my rate. Yeah I don't wait for them to offer me something cruddy I tell them up front what it would take for me to join their team. I've gotten more offers than not but have also had to withstand veiled insults, long delays and repeated questions about my bottom line as if I wasn't perfectly clear from the start.

Just my opinion but I think women in general tend to shy from negotiations. I don't like them either which is why I essentially don't negotiate. Women are too polite or competitive to discuss our wages with each other and when pushed back by management recoil. Where the difference lies, imo, is I could give a crap if someone especially when it is HR or an ED acts like I have lost my ever loving mind for even requesting such a high rate. If needed I offer contracts and pay stubs to support my assertion or I'm willing to politely let them know that I am aware of exactly how much psychiatrists at their facility are making. I don't ever hesitate to quickly, graciously thank them for their time and consideration with the request that they contact me if something changes in the future. This is exhausting, insulting and can require multiple emails or phone calls back and forth however I don't waiver and have always had plenty of opportunities so far, knock wood. I would work at Walmart rather than negotiate my rate at this point in time. Note things will likely change as the plethora of NPs continue graduating from Online No Experience Required U but for now that is my stance.

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Would you be willing to tell us the state? I just started as a Graduate Nurse / RN at a Hospital in Michigan at over $26 an hour... Nurse Practitioners at the same hospital make over $48, probably around $52 now....

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
My guess is because it pays off more often than not and that is on us! There is a fine line between being a victim and a volunteer.

I'm very well paid in my geographic area as well as my specialty but believe me when I say I have had every single employer, sans one who was a Doc I had worked with previously recruiting me for his private practice, make no attempt to hide the coking noise when I tell them my rate. Yeah I don't wait for them to offer me something cruddy I tell them up front what it would take for me to join their team. I've gotten more offers than not but have also had to withstand veiled insults, long delays and repeated questions about my bottom line as if I wasn't perfectly clear from the start.

Just my opinion but I think women in general tend to shy from negotiations. I don't like them either which is why I essentially don't negotiate. Women are too polite or competitive to discuss our wages with each other and when pushed back by management recoil. Where the difference lies, imo, is I could give a crap if someone especially when it is HR or an ED acts like I have lost my ever loving mind for even requesting such a high rate. If needed I offer contracts and pay stubs to support my assertion or I'm willing to politely let them know that I am aware of exactly how much psychiatrists at their facility are making. I don't ever hesitate to quickly, graciously thank them for their time and consideration with the request that they contact me if something changes in the future. This is exhausting, insulting and can require multiple emails or phone calls back and forth however I don't waiver and have always had plenty of opportunities so far, knock wood. I would work at Walmart rather than negotiate my rate at this point in time. Note things will likely change as the plethora of NPs continue graduating from Online No Experience Required U but for now that is my stance.

After reading this I'm sad that I can only hit the "Like" button once.

As always, Jules tells it like it is. She is an APRN who makes no apologies for having high standards and being appropriately confident her abilities and self-worth.

!Chris :specs:

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
After reading this I'm sad that I can only hit the "Like" button once.

As always, Jules tells it like it is. She is an APRN who makes no apologies for having high standards and being appropriately confident her abilities and self-worth.

!Chris :specs:

Or is narcissistic and delusional but in any event I am willing and able to put my money where my mouth is at least for now. :D

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where are you located? that's how much LVN/LPNs make here in California. FNPs make at least 110K/yr

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Would you be willing to tell us the state?
Due to her user name, I am making a conjecture that the OP is in North Dakota.
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$29/hr I made $44/hr with my last nursing job and that did not include shift differentials. I worked 3 shifts and turned my phone after I was done.

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