Newly hired LPN is making more money!!!!

[Blackcat99]

I was hired 6 months ago and am making $18 an hour.:angryfire:angryfire:angryfire I just learned that the new LPN is making $20 an hour and she has less experience than I do!!!!! What would you do?????:angryfire:madface::madface:

[nursejoy1, ASN, RN]

This is a regular practice in most health care facilities that I know of. They tend to offer more to new hires to recruit but they feel assured that current staff will stay regardless. We had this problem one time with a new nurse getting $1 more and hour. After all the complaints from current staff, we all got a raise. I would advise discussing this calmly with your supervisor and/or HR director. Good luck.

[Blackcat99]

Thanks Nursejoy1. I am going to make an appointment today with the administrator. She's the one who is in charge of salaries at my assisted living facility. How silly they are if they think I'm going to put up with this nonsense!!!!!:trout:

[underpaidrn]

Blackcat99: Be careful about approaching the administrator. Discussing salaries is usually a very big no-no and can sometimes be grounds for dismissal. Read your policies and procedures before approaching him or her. They will want to know how you found out about the new LPN's salary.

[Blackcat99]

Thanks underpaidrn. This is an assisted living facility. Yes, I will see if I can find the policy and procedure manual.

[caliotter3]

This has happened to me several times (with the same company too). The manager called me in to discuss salary when he hired a new LVN for the same case I was working and paid her more than me. We had that discussion. My unexpressed thoughts were that I had received a slap in the face and an insult. Down the road, I heard of others being paid more than me. The straw that pricked me in the eye was $4 an hour more for someone who failed the RN boards three times. In each and every instance I was never the one who brought up the subject of salary. The other party, for some reason, did so. I finally made a comment and was told something totally off base from what I had ever been told in the past. Now time to look elsewhere for a new job. All employers will do this to you hoping that you never find out and that if you do find out, that you will stay anyway. I finally opted to start taking salary seriously. My work is just as valuable as the next person. You have to look at it that way. You are only stuck if there are very few employers in town. Good luck.

[underpaidrn]

Speaking as a former administrator, the first question I would ask is where did you get this information? If your p & p manual states that discussing salaries is a no-no, then you will have to be very careful about how you got your information. I don't want you to get in trouble. I never hired new staff at a higher rate than my seasoned veterans. I consider that unethical.

[caliotter3]

Yes, underpaidrn, it is very unethical to hire new staff at a higher rate than your seasoned, loyal staff. It is even more unethical to lie about your methods of determining salary. I never asked anyone what their rate was. For some reason they always made a comment. I suppose the subject was touchy to them. I've now learned to value my services more and take salary into consideration when looking for employment. It's my choice whether I will stay or go once I find out someone else is valued more than me.

[Blackcat99]

One of the nurses who has worked at the assisted living facility told me that the $20 an hour nurse showed her the check stub to prove it. The other 2 nurses who have worked for many years at that facility are not getting paid $20 an hour either. One of them has been their for 7 years!!!!!!!

[caliotter3]

Yep, Blackcat99, not surprised at all. And employers wonder why employees try to organize under unions, or better yet, vote with their feet and go to a more ethical employer.

[Jo Dirt]

I've been working for the same agency 3 yrs. still making the same pay I made starting out and LPNs are being hired in making $3.00/hr more than me.

[secondthought]

I'm going RN school now and I'm very concerned about that. What's the best thing to do then? I think it might be to ask for a higher starting wage before you even step onto the floor. Suggestions on this...