Paid for experience? Please help!

[DianeK4HVCH]

Contingent employees permalink

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I really need some of your input on this topic..........

I am inquiring about the use of Contingent employees in a hospital setting. We currently hire contingent RN's if they have at least 2 years experience and they receive base rate plus 20% plus $1.50 shift differential.

The purpose of the contingent employee with experience would cut down on orientation--he/ she is comfortable in their skill/experience level and would have to acclimate themselves to our processes, doc's preferences, paperwork, etc. but skill set would be in place.

Now I am hearing that due to the nursing shortage, the "Norm" is to hire contingent RN's with less than or no experience ( new grad) as a contingent employee at same rate as described above.

I guess we felt we were paying for the skill level not the "body" to say we have an RN on board. We are now consiering revising this policy and am beginning to have quite heated discussions about this topic.

Is this really the "Norm" out there? I would like to know what type of experince other hospitals are requiring their contingent employees to have.

Thank you for your input.

[ukstudent]

It was my belief that the extra pay was for the availability of the nurse (work shifts not covered by full time nurses) and the ability of the hospital to not have to use and pay them when they are not needed.

The rate is not for the experience, as all contingent nurses (at least at my past hospital) were paid the same rate. Even if they have 2, 5, 10 or 20 years experience.

It does however make sense to hire contingent nurses with experience as orientation is more spread out than full time employees. My current hospital does not hire contingent at all, you can become contingent after working full time though.