New RNs making more than experienced RNs

LPN Retired, LPN · Feb 9, 2020

8 hours ago, Brittanytaylor04 said:
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.

Good grief. I retired as an LPN, in 2011 and Was making about. $21/HR. I talked to a friend of mine whose Granddaughter recently graduated with her BSN, I'm thinking like within last 5 years and she's making somewhere around $40/hr. This is in ARKANSAS and she is working at a hospital. I think she does alot of weekends too. She's young and a go-getter, so she's doing well.

PeekaPooh · Feb 9, 2020

Yea, I would find another job if they are not being fair about it. That is a huge difference in pay and it's really unfair to you. It happened to me in the past; I just kept my calm, and resigned when I found another job. They did ask me why and I did tell them the truth too.

EllaBella1, BSN · Feb 9, 2020

This is why people job hop so much these days. The best way to move up the pay ladder is to stay at a hospital for a few years and then move on to the next. A lot of hospitals focus more on recruiting new talent than on retaining their current staff. It's a shame, but it's what happens.

Also $23 an hour sucks. You should definitely go somewhere else.

Orion81RN · Feb 9, 2020

1 hour ago, klone said:
https://www.npr.org/2014/04/13/301989789/pay-secrecy-policies-at-work-often-illegal-and-misunderstood

Thank you for sharing. I did not know this. I don't think my company cares about the law. I posted a vent the other day of how they are withholding my paychecks. Also, the case I'm on (This is private duty; anybody surprised?) doesn't have trained caregivers in the home, yet on the 485 the spouse and daughter are listed as trained caregivers. They are not. 12 hour shifts turn into an illegal 24 hour shift with call offs. They say to sleep on the couch for 4 hours and family will sit with patient. It's a vent case. Family is NOT trained. They don't even step foot in his room. Other nurses have stayed 24 hours. I will call 911 before staying past 16 hours. Even then per policy you have to stay with the patient in the hospital "until you know where they will be admitted to." Sorry to hijack the thread.

Tegridy · Feb 9, 2020

1 hour ago, EllaBella1 said:
This is why people job hop so much these days. The best way to move up the pay ladder is to stay at a hospital for a few years and then move on to the next. A lot of hospitals focus more on recruiting new talent than on retaining their current staff. It's a shame, but it's what happens.
Also $23 an hour sucks. You should definitely go somewhere else.

Oh well don’t hate the player. Hate the game right lol

Okayestdad78 · Feb 10, 2020

I'd contact your HR and ask about the "discrepancy". It sounds like your employer may have a potential issue when their wage practices are discovered.

caliotter3 · Feb 10, 2020

When I found out about the pay discrepancy, first I mentioned it to my supervisor. When the manager failed to get back with me on the matter, I started looking very hard. Unfortunately nobody is paying more, otherwise I would be gone. One does get fed up with being played for a fool.

2BS Nurse, BSN · Feb 10, 2020

19 hours ago, Orion81RN said:
My company even made me sign a paper stating that I would not discuss pay. Such bs ?.

Yes, this is BS and ridiculous! It violates federal labor law!

https://www.insperity.com/blog/when-employees-discuss-wages/

OUxPhys, BSN, RN · Feb 11, 2020

On 2/9/2020 at 4:31 PM, EllaBella1 said:
This is why people job hop so much these days. The best way to move up the pay ladder is to stay at a hospital for a few years and then move on to the next. A lot of hospitals focus more on recruiting new talent than on retaining their current staff. It's a shame, but it's what happens.
Also $23 an hour sucks. You should definitely go somewhere else.

I worked for a hospital like this. I was glad to move on from them.

Dontstressdoyourbest, RN · Feb 11, 2020

Very curious - Why do companies do this ?as EllaBella1 said "A lot of hospitals focus more on recruiting new talent than on retaining their current staff".

HomeBound · Feb 11, 2020

2 hours ago, Floridasunnurse said:
Very curious - Why do companies do this ?as EllaBella1 said "A lot of hospitals focus more on recruiting new talent than on retaining their current staff".

Reframe how you're thinking that hospitals are somehow different from any other transaction in life...

Do you search the sale ads in the Sunday paper for the best prices on food? Do you drive a few miles out of the way (thereby wasting gas) for .02 cheaper gasoline? Do you negotiate your salary when you change jobs?

It's the reverse when it's an employer. They are looking always to cut costs. Somehow. Those new nurses---you may think that they are getting this awesome pay increase, but you don't know anything for sure. Did they stick that new nurse with higher benefits costs? How about little to no tuition reimbursement or loan forgiveness? What about that nurse being targeted as "never getting off of nights....EVER" (even though they were promised in the interview that it might take a few months...but historically...nights only lasts a short time)?

You don't know. The costs are not going to rise for any employer hiring new staff. They want to keep the costs the same or lower. Anybody who thinks otherwise is looking at one single variable---the payrate.

There is also something else to consider here--you do realize that there is such nepotism and cronyism in nursing that it's almost impossible to get a decent bargain if you're not one of the players? If you're just some schmuck looking to do a job and go home? Don't depend on your education to get you the best deal.

What about the fact that corporate entities collude on pay rates? Happens all the time---and yeah....go ahead and quote all of the federal law you like that that this is illegal---but when you have 3 kids in school and your husband or wife cannot change jobs easily---these employers know this. They also know when you want a big name on your resume. You will take the job. At the rate they quote you. Or else.

I've watched nurses think a lot of themselves and flip the hair and snap the finger "Oh no you won't!" Thinking with their BSN and a year of experience, they'll just be so able to "go down the street" for higher pay. Then fall flat on their faces---because HR does something else that is illegal---they network and have lists of names that they share amongst themselves.

Don't even get started on VMS hospitals. You get flagged with them? I don't care if you're Mother Frakking Theresa. You are not getting hired in that or any other VMS system.

OP---your job sounds horrible. I would leave and even if it meant a pay CUT---I would get the hell out of that situation. Sunk Cost Fallacy is strong with nurses. I don't know why.

I was just tagged in a "working style" survey in my MHA program---that I am "extreme". Meaning---that I will do whatever it takes to achieve my goal. If that means moving to a new area? I will. If that means taking a job that might pay a little less, but will get me the experience I need to achieve my goal? I will do it. If this means that I take a night shift job so that I can get that ICU experience? I'm there.

But I don't stay in the s#itty situation. I get what I need---and I GET OUT. Once you achieve your goal of getting whatever it was you wanted----YOU LEAVE. Inertia is NOT your friend.

This whole martyrdom thing that nurses have going is what shoots them in the foot. Your life is short. You do what is best for YOU and your FAMILY. These people would replace you in a microsecond if you fudge up or you quit. Don't think you're that essential at ANY job. Employers are there to make money---not do what's best for you.

cardsFNP · Feb 11, 2020

Sounds like a good reason to update the resume!