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

[ndnursepract]

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.

[Julia77]

Jules, can you please be more explicit for those of us terrified and unexperienced with negotiating as to how your conversations go when the subject of payment comes up? Thanks, Julia

[Jules A, MSN]

Jules, can you please be more explicit for those of us terrified and unexperienced with negotiating as to how your conversations go when the subject of payment comes up? Thanks, Julia

I am usually the one to bring up compensation before I even get to the formal interview phase but to avoid a hijack of this thread I'd recommend a search of the NP forum so you get a well rounded view from all members and maybe post any specific questions in this most recent one:

https://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/salary-and-negotiation-1086278.html#post9316275

[Wolf at the Door, BSN]

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.

Due to the user name, I think this person is in North Dakota.

[NurseLauraM]

Hold on... so you make about 60,000$ a year (if full time)? Is this really normal for where you are? I live in a rural area and used to live in a big city, so I'm personally familiar with the differences in "normal" NP salary between the two. Yet, I've never heard of a salary that low for an NP, especially with that much experience.

Can you give us some more insight as to why you and other providers have stayed at this facility for so long? Do they have amazing benefits or bonuses or something? Or do people just feel they have no other option?

[NurseLauraM]

Also another thing I'd add: most of the offers I've seen have put potential future salary expectations in writing. For example, it will say something like: Base salary of X$ for 0-1 year of experience. Eligible for X$ amount at end of year 2, and so on and so forth. They often do the same with vacation days, which increase with experience. As someone who also dreads negotiating, it is comforting to know I have a supporting document that I can point to in future salary discussions. OP, this might be something to ask for from your new employer if they haven't given it to you already.

[danielle2000, MSN, RN]

Wow, know your worth!!!!

[Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP]

I'm just not that attached to anyone, relatives included, to work for such low wages.

Exactly. With that amount of experience you could easily double your hourly just about anywhere in the country without breaking a sweat. With the extra income you could afford to travel home anytime. Although I'm sure cost of living where you are is cheap, there are other states with rural practices that compensate appropriately. I was making way more than that as a bedside RN before I became a NP, as does my wife working acute care dialysis. We live in Texas where nursing wages aren't exactly stellar compared to other places.

[Psychcns]

Try calling some locum tenens companies. You might be able to find short assignments or you may be able to fly home on weekends. They would pay hotel and travel-well maybe not every weekend but at beginning and end of assignment.