Lower pay during orientation months?

Sam J. · Feb 2, 2014

Does it never end? You can bet that'll idea will go viral throughout health care, but then the next trick will be minimum wage during orientation, like some other industries.

morte, LPN, LVN · Feb 3, 2014

quite frankly I would have no problem with this. a new grad with no experience isn't going to be as efficient as a nurse with experience.

Back in the day, there was a "new grad" rate, accomplished the same thing.

MrChicagoRN, RN · Feb 3, 2014

Has anyone heard that the Cleveland Clinic will now only pay 75% of your starting salary during the months of your orientation period?
I know competition in Cleveland is fierce and the Clinic is cutting its budget, but this doesn't seem quite fair.

You heard this, or you know it to be true?

leekaye · Feb 3, 2014

I was told this by an employee of the clinic but it's s not verified. She said it's new policy.

schnookimz · Feb 3, 2014

I don't think that's so bad. I mean you aren't really working, you are following someone so essentially they're paying two people to do one job during this time.

Sam J. · Feb 3, 2014

I mean you aren't really working, you are following someone so essentially they're paying two people to do one job during this time.

Wow. After spending possibly years preparing for nursing school, and then years in school, and jumping through hoops to obtain a license, and I hear this, from a nurse? Small wonder the powers that be have the ever-easier ability to continue to railroad nurses, and treat them as second-class. I'm dismayed. But I can't honestly claim to be suprised. I'm too old for that.

"Be careful what you ask for- you just might GET it".

Sam J. · Feb 3, 2014

I was told this by an employee of the clinic but it's s not verified. She said it's new policy.

Even if it's not a new policy, the idea is a cat 'out of the bag', and every health care executive snooping around this forum has a great new idea to work on, tomorrow morning...

leekaye · Feb 3, 2014

Even if it's not a new policy, the idea is a cat 'out of the bag', and every health care executive snooping around this forum has a great new idea to work on, tomorrow morning...

I've heard the idea before so I don't think it's new. I think hospitals can get away with further reducing our pay during the time of market oversaturation, but in a few years when more nurses retire, the cycle will swing around and nurses will be in more demand.

I mean you aren't really working, you are following someone so essentially they're paying two people to do one job during this time.

I've worked in the corporate world for 25 years prior to nursing, and I've never heard of anyone being paid less during orientation. I've obviously entered a whole different world in nursing.

schnookimz · Feb 3, 2014

Wow. After spending possibly years preparing for nursing school and then years in school, and jumping through hoops to obtain a license, and I hear this, from a nurse? Small wonder the powers that be have the ever-easier ability to continue to railroad nurses, and treat them as second-class. I'm dismayed. But I can't honestly claim to be suprised. I'm too old for that. "Be careful what you ask for- you just might GET it".[/quote']
Sorry to disappoint you with my opinions. I was payed a lower rate during my orientation and it had zero effect on whether or not I accepted the job.

FlyingScot, RN · Feb 3, 2014

Not a new concept at all. Many of us were paid at a lower rate during our probationary period. After 90 days we got a raise. Not a big issue or a deal killer.

liberated847 · Feb 3, 2014

Why do people feel so entitled?! As a new nurse, do you want to make the same as an experienced nurse right away?, while you're at it, let's bypass seniority and give you all the good weeks for vacation too. We all have to start somewhere and yes, while you're training, you are not being as productive, you are just learning.