No raise for us

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2011

Plus I just lost my weekend reward position on top of this due to budget issues. So basicly I got a $10/hr paycut and I'm not getting a raise!
I have to work more hours to make less money to pay for the very people I can't stand taking care of!
That sound horrible but it's true. I LOVE my job when I'm taking care of sick patients. I hate the part of my job that makes me take care of selfish, demanding, ungrateful people.

Here in Western Australia, if you present to an ED/ER with a cough, they would not even see you if there was a doctor's surgery open (however children are always seen). They give you a list of the nearest doctors surgery/ies and direct you towards that. They won't treat colds, cos there's nothing they can do. I think this is a good policy, it leaves the ED free for real emergencies.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2011

So I work hard to take care of all these noncompliant nonpaying patients who come in for the stupidest things over and over again. What do I get in return? A letter saying we aren't getting raises this year. Because so many people aren't paying their bills the hospital is having money issues so I get screwed.
So frustrating. I work hard to pay my bills. I pay taxes to pay for Medicaid patients. I don't get a raise to pay for non payers......It just seems so unfair!

While I agree with the responses of "Be happy you have a job", I do understand where you are coming from. My facility told us for the past four months that a raise was coming this month (Jan.). No such raise. And to boot, our retirement was changed (for the worse).

Its frustrating. Everyone is so "rah rah give 110%" but when it comes time to return the favor and give back, they are not so enthusiastic. There comes a time where "being glad you at least have a job" loses its weight. That can only motivate you so much for so long. Being in a dead end job is only a very slight improvement over not having work.

My way of dealing with it has been to refocus on what really is important to me. I spend more time with family (less time playing video games and such), have gotten back into reading and took a couple kittens who needed a home under my roof. Sounds simple/silly but when one part of your life is not where you'd like it, sometimes you have to just enjoy the other parts that much more. It helps keep the poor conditions I tolerate at work in perspective.

As far as why you didn't get a raise goes......eh, hate to be the bearer of bad news but you've been hornswagled. Admin. never planned on giving you a raise. "Too many patients not paying their bills" was just the most convenient/first excuse they came up with for it.

bjaeram · Jan 19, 2011

Here in Western Australia, if you present to an ED/ER with a cough, they would not even see you if there was a doctor's surgery open (however children are always seen). They give you a list of the nearest doctors surgery/ies and direct you towards that. They won't treat colds, cos there's nothing they can do. I think this is a good policy, it leaves the ED free for real emergencies.

I wish it worked that way here! I would probably be out of a job though, it would be 1/2 of our business :)