Moving into New Nursing Field - Won't Pay Me for My Expertise

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Hi Nurse Beth,

I am trying to change my career from field nurse specializing in wounds/ostomy to long term care facility or temporary. I love what I do am presently making $45-50,000/yr and no one wants to pay for my 30+ years of being a nurse. Is it too much to ask for my expertise and knowledge? The demands of the new positions I applied for ask for more than just wound care. So I don't feel my price is too high.

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Dear Won't Pay Me For My Expertise,

The problem is that the employers in your area are going to pay you what the going salary is for like positions in like facilities- and it may not necessarily be what you deserve.

With your depth of experience in wound care, it's safe to say you could save an LTC facility costs and fines by preventing and treating wounds. You and I both know how much you bring to the table with 30+ years of nursing experience.

Unfortunately, often employers look at short term costs, such as monthly budgets and labor costs, over long term savings and value. Is there any chance they would create a position for a wound care nurse? The benefits seem apparent, but again, LTC administrators may not agree.

Whenever you ask for more money, try to show how you are solving a problem or providing a solution for them. That changes the focus from what you want to what they need.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[jguiney]

I couldn't agree with you more. 30+ years experience is now a detriment. Older nurses are expensive. Plus employers look at long term. Why invest in someone who has 10-maybe 15yrs left to work, when they can get cheaper nurse who they can invest maybe 20-30yrs. I have been a RN since 1987. I am an ED manager after 23 yrs of ED nursing. You think you could write your ticket.. nope. They want younger, BSN nurses. Who maybe have no life experience. All their knowledge comes out of a book.. They sometimes are more valued. It seems. I have started my BSN 3 times and each time life gets in my way.

Sorry just venting... Old burned out

[mrllangston]

I, too, have many years as a nurse. I received my BSN 2 years ago and went back to a teaching hospital. I was fortunate that the manager needed experienced nurses to help train the new nurses fresh out of school. However, I see a common problem with the majority of the new nurses I have trained. Most want less stressful jobs and definitely not bedside. Therefore, they do not stay long. I worked LTC for 20 years as LVN and left after 1 year as a DON. I loved my job but the staff do not want to work or stay. Sorry for long post. I have successfully negotiated a higher salary in LTC, so good luck to you.

[klcrn1987]

I applied/interviewed for a position that I was fully qualified for and was told by the head nurse that interviewed me "I would love to hire you, you are exactly what I'm looking for but I won't be able to because you have too many years experience. You will start at the upper end of the pay grade and with raises etc. you will "cost too much" for my budget. I can hire a "newer" nurse for much less......."

Sad because I would have loved the job

[Icooka4u]

Wow, I'm actually surprised. I worked in LTC for 6yrs. 99% of the floor nurses HATED wound care. Some of them signed off on completing their patients wound care in the treatment books, but really just fudged a new date. Wound care was an issue. They eventually hired a nurse that was a Wound Care Specialist. She rounded on all the floors and only did wound care.

[Libby1987]

Does OP have his/her WOCN?

In my area, field nursing (home health) pays much higher than LTC so to me it makes sense that LTC would not be career advancement.