Nursing Pay - Why So Low?

[Cqc_Cqb]

I recently had a discusssion with a couple of people in different career fields other than nursing about why they think nurses make such low wages. Their responses were because nursing doesnt have a generalized education. They mean that there are nurses that have hospital diplomas, associate degrees and bachelor degrees all doing the same type of work, bedside care. Why shouldnt Hospitals pay the lowest salary, which would be for the diploma nurse to the highest degree nurse - the bachelor prepared nurse when they are both doing the same job. Where in other professions, nursing isnt considered a profession by alot of people, you have one set degree standard - like starting with a bachelors. Plus there is the fact that there is a very small percentage of men in the field of nursing and most people agree that a careeer field with a majority of men always demands a higher salary base. I was just wondering what other people think of what my friends had to say, if they agree or disagree. Also if you are a floor nurse would you rather have a male or female nurse manager? Well I just thought I would post and see what others have on there mind about the subject.

[SmilingBluEyes]

being one who wants her pay to rise commensurate w/experience, I RESENT being called a selfish money making fool. That is a horrible thing to say. Wanting to eak out a decent wage for life or death responsiblity is NOT foolish or selfish. It's fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

what a comment.

[Ned the Red]

I guess I take the attitude that the pay is what the pay is. So, what can I do about it (not just in nursing but in any job). I took a job a few years ago and in the orientation the HR guy welcomed us and said something like "I don't expect most of you will be here in five years."

After he let us get over that shock he went on to say that the average time people stay at one employer is less than 5 years. And he suggested that the best thing we could all do is not expect that the company will keep us any longer. His advise was to take every new assignment that came along (especially if it was something we had never done) and take every opportunity to learn what we could at that employer. He pointed out that what we learned there was portable and that if the company didn't want to reward us for it some other company would.

So, you can do good for the pts at most places. But, while you're doing good for them there's nothing wrong with doing good for yourself. Not in nursing yet (hope to be soon) but I try to volunteer for any project that comes along - especially if it's something valuable for a resume. I browse the jobs section of the paper every week and keep my network going. And, I'm not afraid to walk in to the boss and tell them that I've been offered more money or a better job somewhere else. When they tell me they want to offer me more to stay my response is that they had plenty of time and didn't do it.... too late now.

I guess it sounds pretty mercenary but, until I find an employer that really believes that old saw about "Our employees are our most valuable asset" I'll keep it up.

So, if you're not making enough at your present place of employment take a hike. You can negotiate more effectively with the new employer than you can with your current boss. It's a seller's market out there for nurses.

And, feel free to flame me for this. I'll admit that I'm NOT in nursing yet so..... I may well be totally off base with all this!

Thanks,

Ned

[km rn]

I think what we can do about it is educate ourselves and others about the stagnation of wages issue in nursing. Yes the starting wage in many areas seems comparable...but a nurse's wage will quickly stagnate.

My non-nursing friends were shocked to hear how much I made compared to a new nurse. They assumed if new nurses received such a good wage..it meant I must really be making big bucks.

Although this may not be the biggest issue regarding retention of nurses...it is one factor that should be addressed. It is cheaper for hospitals to keep hiring new nurses and importing nurses than trying to keep existing nurses - Why? Health insurance costs vary significantly dependent on the ages of your employees as well as the costs of benefits for someone who has over 5 years of employment. I believe most hospitals see it as a cheaper alternative to keep hiring nurses (money on recruitment) rather than focus on retention.

I have also found that most non-acute hospital employeers expect you to take significant wage cuts yet they want you to bring the experience and knowledge base earned by working in an acute care setting. They don't want to pay you for your experience and knowledge but mandate that you bring them.