Looking for advice: I don't like my salary

Sour Lemon · Mar 25, 2019

You could ask to speak to your manager now.
You could discuss the topic during your next review.
After two years of experience in some markets, you're paid as "Nurse II" which can be a good jump in pay. For me, I think it was about $6-$7 higher hourly.

It's not uncommon for people who stay at a job long-term to end up with the short end of the pay stick. With less than two years of experience, your situation doesn't sound particularly alarming, though.

RNperdiem, RN · Mar 25, 2019

Every year you get an annual review. This is where you would have shown that you are not a beginner nurse and are doing a good job, and would merit a better base pay rate.

Also, look at the whole benefit package. Does the new job have better shift differentials? More paid time off? Free parking (I work on a university campus with expensive parking)?

allnurses Guide · Mar 25, 2019

Yes, you definitely should have negotiated your pay at the time of hire. Let this be a reminder to you for your next position. Never take the first offer on the table.

The sticky part here is going to be how you came to know this information. You will have to sit down with your manager, tell them what you know, face the questions of how you know it and then request a higher salary. However, the difference in pay between a new grad and a 2 year RN is usually not very significant, so be prepared to still be underwhelmed.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2019

25 minutes ago, not.done.yet said:
The sticky part here is going to be how you came to know this information. You will have to sit down with your manager, tell them what you know, face the questions of how you know it and then request a higher salary. However, the difference in pay between a new grad and a 2 year RN is usually not very significant, so be prepared to still be underwhelmed.

Salaries, at least salary ranges, are generally releasable information.

But I agree with not.done.yet...the difference may not be that great. You might be better served looking for a median salary in your community for someone with your experience. It may be that the fifty-cent increase is what the market will bear.

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Mar 25, 2019

Two years experience is still seen as inexperienced. Experience is something that, well, takes time. The difference in pay from new nurse to top of scale is pretty narrow compared to other careers and divided over 20 years the raises are pretty underwhelming. Welcome to the real world of nursing.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 25, 2019

17 hours ago, EternalFeather said:
So I recently started a new rn job. I just found out that my salary is only $0.5 higher than new grads in the hospital I work at. I have almost 2yrs experience. Suddenly I dont feel like working anymore. I'm so discouraged right now. Is 0.5 difference appropriate or am i asking for too much?
Looking back at it. Only reason I decided to take it is because a relative works there.
I think I shouldn't have been a coward and negotiated for a higher salary. But i just hate confrontations like that. it makes me anxious and scared. I dont do it a lot. Im just such a coward... sigh... I hate myself for this. I had a feeling at first that the base rate offered by the recruiter was low but I was just such a fearful, unbrave dummy so i took it like I was desperate to work there.
What can I do or should do? Its already too late to talk to the recruiter about it. And I'd be scared to do so. I already accepted and signed all the paperwork and already on orientation.
Should I apply to another facility and make sure I bargain my base rate? Should I stay at this hospital for a few months till I find a better paying position? Stay for 2 years so that I wont be accused of hopping around jobs?
Thanks in advance.

The time to negotiate the salary is when they offer you the job. Now, the next time to negotiate the salary is at your first review.

Either quit now, or stay for a year or more. But don't stay, finish your orientation and then quit abruptly for a different job. You'll burn bridges.

caliotter3 · Mar 26, 2019

Be aware that if you stay, hoping to get a decent raise with your performance review, that sometimes performance reviews, especially the first one, are "nuanced" to preclude justifying a substantial raise. Or any raise at all. This is par for the course with many employers or reviewing supervisors and should be a consideration.

Cowboyardee · Mar 26, 2019

Would finding out that the new grads being paid only 50 cents less than you are also on draconian contracts that prevent them from leaving without paying a financial lump sum make you feel better or worse? Its likely enough that's the case.

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Mar 26, 2019

Depends on your geographic location. 50 cents may be nothing, or it may be a big raise

Guest999365 · Mar 26, 2019

I think it's fair to be upset. I took a new job after one year of working (very comparable positions in CVICUs), and my base pay at my new job increased by $3.

I'm also not good with confrontation/negotiation so no advice there. But good luck ?

allnurses Guide · Mar 26, 2019

2 hours ago, DreamingNurse said:
I think it's fair to be upset. I took a new job after one year of working (very comparable positions in CVICUs), and my base pay at my new job increased by $3.
I'm also not good with confrontation/negotiation so no advice there. But good luck ?

This has less to do with fair than it does with the market conditions where the OP lives and the pay range used in determining his or her monetary value to the organization.