RNs underpaid at non-profit, administration rolling in the dough

[RNBSN1000]

We have extremely high turnover and much of that is due to the perception that we aren't valued and we are being grossly underpaid for our skills. In a multi-specialty critical care unit such as this, it can take 1-2 years for a new grad to really be competent. Administration is constantly making us do more with less, chipping away at our benefits, no more extended weekend differential,

I understand that talented "administration" must be recruited with competitive salaries. And I also understand this is a business and we are lucky to be doing so well in this economy. However, do to the constant turnover, patient care is compromised. Overall pay raises and increased pay based on additional skills would do wonders in retaining staff RNs and be more in concordance with supply and demand. I also have a huge problem with knowing that professionals have to rely on some public assistance for their families, while working at a "non-profit" with such handsomely paid administration. In the age of social media, when public backlash caused Mylan to quickly release a cheaper generic Epi-Pen within weeks, do you think the public might take notice to these gross income inadequacies within non-profit hospitals and increase RN wages?

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

I think the public will be interested that safe, effective, competent nursing care is being compromised at their facility.

When they find out that in the multi-specialty critical care unit it can take 1-2 years for a new grad to really be competent people will understand why it is crucial to retain competent experiences registered nurses.

Unless the pay is competitive nurses will go elsewhere so they can support their families.

I suggest first getting together with your colleagues and documenting the situation focusing on nursing care, including the coordination and communication RNs do. Get on the agenda to present it at a staff meeting.

Go up the chain of command.

If none of that works a letter to a local paper ot other way needs to be found to let the public know what is going on.H

Here is an example of how some nurses worked to keep safe staffing in their telemetry unit:

Henry Mayo RNs To Protest ‘Team Nursing’ With Candlelight Vigil

Here is a link to an article in the newspaper written after nurses were interviewed:

Nurses challenge staffing

[RNBSN1000]

herring_RN Thank you so much for your detailed post. Could I please ask a favor of you? I posted the original in the Oklahoma forum. There have been >100 views but not a single response. Could you please re-post your response in the original post in the Oklahoma forum? I see you are from California and likely have a different perspective on things.