New grad pay more than experienced nurses

lifeisbeautiful · Nov 6, 2004

I just heard a rumor that new grad pay starting in Jan. will be more than some of the nurses already working at my hospital are paid. Has anyone encountered this before? I don't understand why management would do this, we don't have a nursing shortage in this area but stuff like this may cause one. :angryfire

I've heard this, too. Some new grads may not be making as much, but darn near close (like .50 cents less than experienced RNs) That's why our hospital has implemented a rule that discussion of wages is grounds for immediate termination. They don't want new grad nurses telling nurses that have been with the facility for "X" years that they making close to the same wages (or that they are making more as a new grad). I don't understand this at all.

Just out of curiosity. Do you think that being fired because you discussed how much money you make would hold up in court? Doesn't freedom of speech apply here?

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2004

I just heard a rumor that new grad pay starting in Jan. will be more than some of the nurses already working at my hospital are paid. Has anyone encountered this before? I don't understand why management would do this, we don't have a nursing shortage in this area but stuff like this may cause one. :angryfire

I would find out if the rumor is true before you get upset about it. I have encountered this in other fields.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Nov 6, 2004

I've heard this, too. Some new grads may not be making as much, but darn near close (like .50 cents less than experienced RNs) That's why our hospital has implemented a rule that discussion of wages is grounds for immediate termination. They don't want new grad nurses telling nurses that have been with the facility for "X" years that they making close to the same wages (or that they are making more as a new grad). I don't understand this at all.
Just out of curiosity. Do you think that being fired because you discussed how much money you make would hold up in court? Doesn't freedom of speech apply here?

If you live in an at-will employment state, your employers can fire you because they don't like the way you wear your hair.

That said - threatening to fire people over discussion of ANY topic is a clear and blatant neon sign that administration has something to hide and that things are not on the up-and-up. Administrators, however, think that nurses are as dumb as bricks and, therefore, would never pick up on that obvious fact. :rolleyes: :angryfire :uhoh3:

MandyInMS · Nov 6, 2004

Had this problem crop up last week..found out in a round about way I was making only 50 cents more than a nurse hired a few months ago..I have worked at this place for 15 years!..was I pissed? duh..I waited a few days before talking to the DON..haven't heard a response yet r/t more $..I'm calling next week to check..don't know what my next action will be if I'm not bumped up at least a little bit..cross that bridge when I get to it...it's just not right is all I know..I'm a good nurse who is dependable and give quality care to my pts, rarely ever call in..retention of nurses? we'll see :/

mattsmom81 · Nov 6, 2004

Its hard to trust our coworkers on this issue, sadly. I appreciate it when coworker whispers to me she just got negotiated a ___$ raise becuae it helps ME negotiate to know this. So often though, someone will get jealous and then that nurse who shared is in the doghouse with administration, because jealous RN reported them. Sad, eh?

Recently a new grad shared she was hired on at a rate higher than some of the old timers and it really pizzed 'em off. A few of them ran her off which was doubly sad. they should have used this info to negotiate their OWN raise IMO and thanked her for opening their eyes IMO.

We don't need to kill the messenger.

Suspect corporate rumors start because when staff is kept wondering and infighting... we are more easily controlled.

MandyInMS · Nov 6, 2004

I hear ya mattsmom...I'd never want to 'run anyone off'..nor would I want anything taken away for anyone..I guess I always assumed (notice the *** in there..lol) that say you worked somewhere for 5 years, the person who worked 10 or 15 years would make MORE than you..to me that's only right and fair..that is unless you aren't that great of an employee..lol...seems things these days aren't 'fair' whatever the situation.

CEN35 · Nov 6, 2004

Don't know....

We are not allowed to discuss this issue.....

Freedom of speech only exists to the homelss and jobless

peaceful · Nov 6, 2004

Union. All the hospitals here are union. All new grads start out the same, and all experienced nurses after 2 years are paid $35.00/hr, plus night differentials, float, and charge pay., Nobody can play games and hire somewhat at a higher wage compared to an experiened nurse who has worked for years.

Jo Dirt · Nov 6, 2004

Union. All the hospitals here are union. All new grads start out the same, and all experienced nurses after 2 years are paid $35.00/hr, plus night differentials, float, and charge pay., Nobody can play games and hire somewhat at a higher wage compared to an experiened nurse who has worked for years.

What state are you in? I need to move there.

lifeisbeautiful · Nov 7, 2004

If you live in an at-will employment state, your employers can fire you because they don't like the way you wear your hair.

True, true.. :chuckle :chuckle

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Nov 7, 2004

Yeppers...seen it here too in not only hospitals. It is because it takes more to get nurses now a days where I come from...and it does not matter if you are experienced anymore...they need RN bodies! Sad..but true!

My DON is resentful (she didn't say..but I know) at my hiring wage...but agreed to it because it took them 8 months to find even me (which should have told me something huh..LOL!). But now..the new nurse they will hire to replace the position left that I AM FILLING will make more than me! Ummmmm they know I know..and will leave if I am not compensated for the difference! Heck, as I see it..I can go be abused somewhere else for more pay..LOL!!!!! (sorry admin joke there).

But lets face it...facilities need nurses..so they invest money in getting folks at the standard pay of most experienced RN's...they told me getting out of school I would make >30 bucks an hour..yeah right..and I am sure they are telling new grads that too...only thing is..they may just get that..but the trick is..I don't train someone paid more than me...if they are paid more..well I can assume they know more..LOL~!!!!! (my admin knows this...I guess that is why I don't train anymore..LOL!!!!)