New MSN graduate

[stacyRN11]

I graduated with my master's in nursing last month. I currently work as a staff RN and relief charge nurse in LTAC. While working on my degree my boss said i would receive a raise for higher education. Now after finishing my degree, she said that the hospital pays all RNs the same regardless of education. Have you ever dealt with something like this?

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

All the time unfortunately. But depends on geographic location as well. Some of our local hospitals do the same, especially as MSN becomes the next level of market flood. It just opens doors to other opportunities.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Unless the LTC facility where you work has a separate wage grid for MSN-prepared RNs that specifically outlines higher pay rates for that particular degree, your manager's previous promise of a raise for earning the MSN doesn't hold water.

Many facilities pay RNs the same, regardless of their level of education. If there's a wage grid for your facility, how much should you be paid per that wage grid? You need this question answered before doing anything further.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

They will not pay you more if they can help it ....

But your MSN will open other possibilities for you. With your experience you could apply for positions that will pay you more, perhaps become an educator...

In any way - to get a substantial raise people often have to switch jobs and apply to a facility that pays more or transition to a job that is higher paid to begin with. Making a lateral or up move may be your only option of getting a good raise...

[VANurse2010]

What kind of MSN are we talking about here? If it's CNL, especially, you shouldn't expect to be paid more for doing the same job as ADN/BSN RNs until you've started taking on additional projects/responsibilities. This is, of course, my opinion. Check your company policy.