Need assistance handling a situation

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

Did you sign a contract with a job description and pay rate attached to it?

loveishope · Oct 21, 2011

No I didn't sign a job contract but I did sign a form which had my rate of pay, including the charge nurse pay which is only $1 more per hour. My concern is that I won't have a job now because I do not have a contract to work.

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

I don't see any reason not to clarify your situation with the boss.

Rodoon, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

Loveishope,

When a new nurse is hired into a slot it comes with a range of salaries attached to it based on experience. Most experienced nurses don't ask for more pay and take the first offer which I can guarantee isn't the highest they can go. You moved and uprooted your life for a promotion. Should this other nurse stay she may not want to be charge, but if she does and they want her back, you should insist on keeping the salary. Or else ask to be compensated for your EMOTIONAL DISTRESS. Gather all moving bills, meals and gas etc.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Oct 21, 2011

They usually send you a written offer of employment with the position and pay. That would give you some drag in negotiating. They made an agreement with you that must be honored, before the other nurse was rehired. IMO she should be taking the staff nurse position- but you may want to graciously step down to staff nurse with the charge rate of pay, just to be a great team member.

seizetheday · Oct 21, 2011

I am not sure why you left your old job and moved without a job contract? Is it yet to be signed? Does the form you did sign also have a staff nurse rate on it or is the only position / rate that of a charge nurse? If you signed a form that includes a staff nurse position and rate then I don't think you have any course of action as that shows you weren't guaranteed a charge nurse position.

ckh23, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

I say clear it up with your manager first. This very well could just be the rumor mill going on.

Do you have an offer letter for the position of charge nurse and the salary associated with it? If so and they make you a staff nurse instead, you might have some grounds for a case of detrimental reliance because you uprooted and moved for the position. An attorney would be able to provide more detail. However, I would clear it up with management first before going the legal route and wasting your money.

Is the issue for you the position or the pay? If it is the pay and they do ask you to take a staff position, I would simply counter that you would do it for the same pay rate as the charge nurse.

Lifeofanurse · Oct 22, 2011

Is this normal? I mean I interviewed for a job... talked about when I could start. When I would orient and then ...told I would be called back to take the drug test. and nothing. I didn't get anything in writing but now there is talk of needing another interview with the staffing person...

and so where I thought I had a job...I guess I don't.

I feel like I'm being strung alonge to wait to see if someone better applies before I officially sign...

I am not amused. Not following through with what you say is one sure way to promote distrust.

caliotter3 · Oct 22, 2011

Is this normal? I mean I interviewed for a job... talked about when I could start. When I would orient and then ...told I would be called back to take the drug test. and nothing. I didn't get anything in writing but now there is talk of needing another interview with the staffing person...
and so where I thought I had a job...I guess I don't.
I feel like I'm being strung alonge to wait to see if someone better applies before I officially sign...
I am not amused. Not following through with what you say is one sure way to promote distrust.

I have found that talking about eventualities can be common and do not necessarily translate into an offer. Best to assume that you don't have the job until proved otherwise.