Incentive pay to work in the ER

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2004

Multiple, Multiple threads on this topic.

The general concensus is that ALL nurses are specialists, and deserve pay for extra credentials, but not specific departments.

As an Oncology nurse, I am continually exposed to hazardous chemicals more frequently than those in the ER, as well as required to go all over the hospital/ER to access ports and give chemo. I have my OCN, which requires 100 hours CEUs for renewal, and have to sit through 2 days of classes every 1-2 years depending on facility. Frequently, I have to pay for them.

Almost all nurses are required to take courses in their specialty. Those that don't are frequently in fields where they are required to cover 10-12 patients or more. Part of the "payoff" for those courses is that you have fewer patients in the ICU. And in the ER, it is the turnover...that patient/family that drives you nuts for 2 hours or two days...will be driving a floor nurse insane for the next two monthes.

As far as biohazard training, you in the ER can usually (not always) care for them and pass them on. Chances are you will be passing them on to a floor nurse/unit nurse. Should they get paid less when they will probably be handling the patient longer or more?

Sarah8714 · Nov 3, 2004

At the hospital I am working at we get a $5.00 an hour for working in the ED. This is seperate from our base pay, OT, and shift differentials. It is a nice addition to the paycheck!

CSLee3, ASN, BSN, LVN, EMT-P · Nov 3, 2004

More money to ER nurses is not a good idea. What message are we then telling OB nurses, OR nures, Med Surg nurses. We, as nurses, choose to work in our particular field. All fields require expertise and special certifications. We nurses must become arrogant because we choose to put ourselves on the front line and then expect more money for wanting this particular job. I value all nurses in the hospital and no one is more important than another. Yes, the talented, smart ICU or PICU nurses's know their stuff, but just go 8 hours without having the basic care of a med surg nurse or nurses aide. What is most important is the patient at that particular moment. For instance a train wreck of a patient comes in, goes through ER, OR, ICU, Med Surg, Rehab, Outpaitient....all a team.........:)

allnurses Guide · Nov 3, 2004

Our hospital doesn't do it by department, but by credentialing. We get a whopping 20 cents an hour for each (yeah right, max 2) national credential we carry. We are required to have more than 2 in the ER, but the hospital puts on the courses and pays the fees, as well as paying us while in class. So wherever you work, if you keep up the credentials you get paid.

Ah, union contracts :chuckle

I wouldn't mind a little hazardous duty pay though, how often do OB nurses have to pull the pants off passed out drunks (excuse me, inebriated victims of society :rolleyes: ) and barely catch the hidden gun before it goes off (pointing right up my leg it was). :uhoh21:

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2004

I wouldn't mind a little hazardous duty pay though, how often do OB nurses have to pull the pants off passed out drunks (excuse me, inebriated victims of society ) and barely catch the hidden gun before it goes off (pointing right up my leg it was). :uhoh21:

Actually, on Onco, I have had to wrestle with plenty of drunks. For some reason, most ERs in the area leave the patient dressed (especially if s/he has soiled themselves) and send the up in their clothes for us to handle. I have been maced/pepper sprayed twice by patients sent up by the ER. And have had three needle sticks (one from needle left in gurney, one by needle stolen by junkie downstairs, and one left on patient's person - was not hospital brand so must have come in with the patient from the street).

We ALL deserve hazard pay.

tiredfeetED · Nov 4, 2004

I just finished the second day of Bioterrorism training for my ER. The nurses in our department do not get any kind of specialty pay even though we are trained in TNCC, ACLS, BLS, PALS and now Hazmat/Bioterrorism/Nuclear decontamintion. We are drafting a letter to our CEO requesting a $2/hr incentive for specialty pay and I was curious as to how many ER nurses are receiving specialty pay. At this time only the Cath Lab nurses receive this incentive.
Thanks,
Jetman

Dont forget MICN.....there is only a handful in my ED which is a base hosptial....there is 0 pay for this...ohh..CEN plus ENPC= 0 pay!!!I was told its for are knowledge!! ohh.. ATCN course just completed..pat yourself on your back! I do get a extra $2/hr more for being charge, ohh the HA that come with this job are not worth $24/day. If your CEO bites on this letter ..plz email me a copy so I can give it to our CEO. :chuckle

Jetman · Nov 5, 2004

I certainly did not mean to step on any toes and believe that all nurses are underpaid for what we do. We would not even be asking for the incentive if it was not being given to the Cath lab nurses. During the last year, our hospital restarted its cardiology program. Unfortunately, the cardiologist stayed only about 2months. Now, those cath lab nurses are glorified patient movers working in the outpatient department getting paid an extra $2/hr because they were hired to work the "cath lab". They are wonderful nurses who are very knowledgeable, but are they worth $2/hr more than the ER. As for the other departments, I can't fight their battles. We are sending a copy of the letter to the ICU staff also to give them a heads up on what we are doing. Finally, caroladybelle, you deserve incentive pay.

Jetman

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2004

As a traveler, love, I decide whether the pay and the job are worth it, so diff matters little to me.

I leave that to you long termers.

CEN35 · Nov 6, 2004

Nope.... TNCC, PALS, ACLS, MICN, CEN. The only extra we recieved was for the CEN. That amounts to a 3rd quarter check each year, for $325 before taxes.

25 CEU's a year, gas, driving, time, etc. After taxes....eh....it's questionable. Just better than nothing.

mattsmom81 · Nov 6, 2004

Boy I sure do think ER nurses deserve hazard pay...they couldn't pay me enough to do it anymore to be honest. Kudos to those of you who can hack it.

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2004

I usually take care of 20 to 36 patients. Yes they are elderly, and yes they are mostly medically stable. I also talk to most of their families every day, pass medications that are many times hidden in what ever appeals for that patient, Identify that "I am looking for my mother" or "help me get this dog out of my pants" means take me to the toilet please. I smile and hug and reward with positive verbal when we understand each other.

Oh yeh, I have also worked ICU, ER, CCU, Trauma, Neuro, did agency nursing and I still have my PHRN from the days of specialty flight team and....I understand that we all have our specialty areas. Every one does their specialty thing the best.

If you are unhappy where you are for what you are being paid, then look for another area... I did that 5 times in my 12 year nursing career and am happy where I am right now.

I will go back to hospital nursing in 2 years to get my required current hospital experience so I can travel again and take my daughter all over the US and US territories when she graduates from high school. We are planning to have a ball.