New RNs making more than experienced RNs

Nurses General Nursing

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This is more of venting I guess. So I have almost 5 years of M/S experience. I have my BSN. I had 4 years of CNA experience. I left for about 1.5 years to go to an outpatient dialysis center but still stayed at the M/S job PRN. I am back at the M/S job and am offered to make $23.84. My sister in law got a job there and told me she was making $28 an hour. She is a new grad, with her Accociates, and no experience except a waitress for maybe a year. That was about 6 months ago. Now they are hiring more new RNs fresh out of school with their Accociates degree and they apparently are making more than the $28 an hour! This is so frustrating and not at all fair. What should I do about this? I have talked with my manager and HR about my pay before and they will not offer more, but I do get a yearly raise. I know you aren't supposed to talk about pay but my sister in law was excited about it and assumed I make more than her when really I don't. I have seen proof of the new grads making more, too, so it is true and not just a rumor.

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I would look elsewhere if they are not budging with your pay rate. That’s a substantial pay difference. Plus your experience should play a factor in how much other facilities will pay you. Good luck!

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Specializes in Former NP now Internal medicine PGY-3.

When they say not supposed to talk about pay they are keeping you in the dark. What you make is completely your business and if you want to expose that to others you can. Employers benefit when no one else knows what anyone makes.

I would only confide in those who I trust though with regards to pay

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

I have to agree with @Tegridy, you are always supposed to discuss your pay with those you trust. The sentiment that you're not supposed to is a tool of management to keep you and your coworkers in the dark.

If a lot of the experienced nurses are being paid less than the new hires, and management won't budge, you can vote with your feet by getting positions elsewhere.

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Specializes in Former NP now Internal medicine PGY-3.
2 minutes ago, TheSquire said:

I have to agree with @Tegridy, you are always supposed to discuss your pay with those you trust. The sentiment that you're not supposed to is a tool of management to keep you and your coworkers in the dark.

If a lot of the experienced nurses are being paid less than the new hires, and management won't budge, you can vote with your feet by getting positions elsewhere.

They bank on people thinking alll employment rules are able to be enforced. Most of which are not. So yeah forget what management tells you. Groups of professions always benefit from salary shares

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1 hour ago, TheSquire said:

I have to agree with @Tegridy, you are always supposed to discuss your pay with those you trust. The sentiment that you're not supposed to is a tool of management to keep you and your coworkers in the dark.

If a lot of the experienced nurses are being paid less than the new hires, and management won't budge, you can vote with your feet by getting positions elsewhere.

My company even made me sign a paper stating that I would not discuss pay. Such bs ?.

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Specializes in OB.

I agree with the others---you've now experienced exactly why management tells you "we don't talk about pay," as if it's simply about politeness. No, it's because they pay different employees varying, unfair rates and prefer you not to know about it. Take a hike to the nearest job with better pay, if they ask why then be honest. No reason to stand for such nonsense.

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Specializes in Corrections, Surgical.

I'm a new grad and one of the call backs it got was for $27. I know someone that has her BSN and she was offered low 30's in a transplant unit as a new grad. Other people I've talked to that are new grads said they started in low to mid 20's. I guess it just depends on the area and department. But if new grads were making more than someone with experience in the same department, that's a concern. I know new grads need a lot more training so that cost more money. Idk if those new grads signed a 2 year contract where you are at.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
1 hour ago, Orion81RN said:

My company even made me sign a paper stating that I would not discuss pay. Such bs ?.

Having to sign that paper is your clue that they're not even going to try to pay fairly. Your pay is your business to discuss with whomever you choose.

This is one of the many reasons we unionize. You don't have to discuss your pay with anyone; it's in a legal contract for all to see.

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Specializes in Former NP now Internal medicine PGY-3.
1 hour ago, Orion81RN said:
7 minutes ago, TriciaJ said:

Having to sign that paper is your clue that they're not even going to try to pay fairly. Your pay is your business to discuss with whomever you choose.

This is one of the many reasons we unionize. You don't have to discuss your pay with anyone; it's in a legal contract for all to see.

For real and it makes it harder when they make you sign that to just say hey new grads are making more. I’d just apply elsewhere. You will likely get a big jump in pay at other hospitals in area if NG are starting higher than you. Then you can always come back a while later if they decide to offer you more.

be a good employee but also be a mercenary

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
2 hours ago, Orion81RN said:

My company even made me sign a paper stating that I would not discuss pay. Such bs ?.

That's actually against federal law.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

https://www.npr.org/2014/04/13/301989789/pay-secrecy-policies-at-work-often-illegal-and-misunderstood

Quote

Under the National Labor Relations Act, enacted in 1935, private-sector employees have the right to engage in "concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection."

The language is somewhat antiquated, but according to Estlund, "it means that you and your co-workers get to talk together about things that matter to you at work."

Compensation is one of those things you can talk about. The National Labor Relations Board, says Estlund, "has long held that these pay secrecy policies that many employers have in writing violate the National Labor Relations Act."

Even if an employee signs a nondisclosure agreement with an employer, Estlund says, the employee would still be protected when talking about salary.

"You can't just declare information about people's pay to be confidential information that can't be discussed," she says.

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