I just graduated as a practical nurse in August and accepted a position at an assisted living facility. On my second interview, she told me the rate they pay and said, "This is what we pay new grads." It is a decent rate and I was happy with it, and a different training rate was never discussed.
I went in today to do my new hire paperwork, signed a contract stating the starting pay we discussed in my interview, was given the company shirts, my badge, and told when to come in for my first day of orientation.
On my way out the door the HR lady said, "You know you won't get the full pay until after you pass the test, right?"
This was not discussed at any point in time. The pay is $7 less than the contract I signed stated, and the same rate I used to make as a CNA.
I am disappointed. I told the HR lady this was not discussed at any time and if that was the case I would rather start the first week of October so I'm not in orientation for 4 weeks.
She said she would tell the DON, who hired me, but I feel like I should call her myself and discuss this.
Any advice on how to handle this? I know of other places I could work who pay $1 less until you pass the NCLEX and I feel deceived.
I have never liked "graduate" positions. I believe in focusing all your time towards passing the NCLEX than looking for a job. My gut would tell me to run from this verbal offer, its a bait and switch, why should you have to settle? What did they say happens if you don't pass? Will you be let go and out of a job anyways? Only exception is if you find the training to be exceptional, but they are just trying to save a buck training you with CNA pay vs LPN pay, a dollar or 2 less is reasonable but not $7. and the way how it way done...is very questionable.
I have never liked "graduate" positions. I believe in focusing all your time towards passing the NCLEX than looking for a job. My gut would tell me to run from this verbal offer, its a bait and switch, why should you have to settle? What did they say happens if you don't pass? Will you be let go and out of a job anyways? Only exception is if you find the training to be exceptional, but they are just trying to save a buck training you with CNA pay vs LPN pay, a dollar or 2 less is reasonable but not $7. and the way how it way done...is very questionable.
If you don't pass, you're typically "demoted" to CNA until you do. Most places will keep you around since they've already invested in you.
Using all your time to study is great if you don't need an income. My plan was to work for six months (max time without testing in TX) as a graduate RN and then test ...so I'd have some money in the bank and my foot in the door if I didn't pass.
My employer didn't offer the option like some others did, so I tested right away and luckily passed.
Wow. Thank you for the link and information. I was just going to let it go but now I am unsure what to do again. They did verbally tell me as I was leaving but NOWHERE in my contract does it state lower pay for training. It does say you must be licensed for the job however.
I'm not going to even be a CNA, I am going to be with the nurse learning how to do the job. This is bumming me out since this is my very first job as a nurse.
The link specifically says that they can pay you a lower rate of pay for training and that it need not be agreed to in writing.
While this "agreement" can be verbal, it is better for the employer to express it in policy or some other writing.
It may very well be written in a policy somewhere that this is how they operate with graduate nurses. Also, are you sure you have a "contract"? Many times employees think they have contracts when they actually only have offer letters.
ArrowRN, BSN, RN
4 Articles; 1,153 Posts
I have never liked "graduate" positions. I believe in focusing all your time towards passing the NCLEX than looking for a job. My gut would tell me to run from this verbal offer, its a bait and switch, why should you have to settle? What did they say happens if you don't pass? Will you be let go and out of a job anyways? Only exception is if you find the training to be exceptional, but they are just trying to save a buck training you with CNA pay vs LPN pay, a dollar or 2 less is reasonable but not $7. and the way how it way done...is very questionable.