Pay increase after 1st year of experience?

[ADPIE2008]

I was a new grad when I was hired and started out at the new grad pay rate of $22.75/hour as my base pay plus differentials. I work on a women's services floor of a hospital in the south. I absolutely LOVE my job and my coworkers. :heartbeat Not long ago, everyone got pay raises, mine was $.17/hr. I'm wondering if I should expect or ask for a pay raise now that I know what I'm doing. I don't expect to make the same as the nurses who have been there for years, but I do think I'm worth much more now than I was a year ago. Also, I plan to be in this position, at this hospital for a long time. I have no intention of jumping to another job or hospital. If you do think I should ask for a pay raise, how much should I ask for???

[ADPIE2008]

caliotter3, a decrease in pay, that would really stink! I'm not complaining about the $.17/hr pay raise. I just want to hear what others have done when going from new grad to more experienced nurse. (Not to say I am now a seasoned nurse, 'cause I've got a long way to go!)

hiddencatRN, I think that is what I need to ask our HR department. I've seen the nurse I or nurse II on the job searches at another local hospital, but my hospital doesn't do that on their job listings.

[caliotter3]

After two decades in nursing, my pay is less than when I started. That is how much my employers respect my added experience.

[ADPIE2008]

caliotter3,

That's awful, I'm really sorry to hear that.