Pay Raise After Nursing Residency?

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Nov 15, 2010

It's just my opinion that you owe the employer a bit more loyalty than to leave as soon as your extended training is completed, for just a few dollars more. Just seems tacky to me, to eagerly accept their offer, get trained, and then make a mad dash to the first fella that offers you a few more bucks.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Nov 15, 2010

Totally agree with Boratz - THIS is the main reason why so many organizations have stopped their new grad programs & are very reluctant to hire them.

Liss RN · Nov 15, 2010

I would stick with the hospital that hired you for their residency, at least for a little longer. I've heard it's in poor taste to just cut and run after all that training. I was told by a hospital that it costs somewhere around $60,000 to train a New RN in one of these residencies. It took a lot of time, money, and resources to train you, so I would stay. This is why many hospitals are now requiring 1-3 year commitments for new grads in these residencies- and if you don't fulfill your contract you actually have to pay back the hospital.

RNQueen · Nov 16, 2010

For one thing, I am happy to se members of my profession showing integrity and some loyalty. I may stay for a few months more just because it's the right thing to do, but I don't see myself letting potential 15k per year extra go by because I want to stay with an employer that hasn't demonstrated enough that they want to keep me.

I started the thread yesterday because I just got a notification from fin aid that my first bill should be in the mail pretty soon. I had much hope on the raise we're supposed to get but sure it's not coming this year, and may not come next year. I am a little desperate. 24.50 after taxes isn't just my idea of RN paycheck.

I will let you guys know my decision later. thanks for the replies.

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Nov 16, 2010

Totally agree with Boratz .

I think I'll just change my name to Boratz. LOL.

Soon2bRN1222 · Nov 17, 2010

RNQueen, I think 15k a yr. increase is alot to just walk away from... You have a tough decision but remember you have to do whats best for you and your family. Good Luck!

pdmech73 · Nov 19, 2010

I'm sorry if this makes you feel bad, but a lot of new graduates are having a tough time finding Residency Programs. I was lucky enough to get one 2 months after graduation. A newly hired Echo-Tech was working on my patient and realized I was a new nurse.

She asked me "how long are you going to stay here before you jump over to another hospital (whose name I will not disclose)?" I told her probably not unless I move away to another city or until after I get my masters in nursing. That is an honest answer. I may not be one of the nurses on my floor that stays with the hospital for 27 years because I want to move up in field of nursing. If they had a position that utilized my masters degree, I would definitely stay with them.

I feel that a new graduate should be loyal to their employer and stick with them for at least 2-3 years after their residency. If you choose to leave after that, that's great. It leaves an opening opportunity for future new graduates to look forward to. It doesn't feel great at all to finally accomplish your dreaming of graduation nursing school, pass NCLEX, and then search for months to almost a year to find a job.

I think $24.50 an hour isn't too bad for a new graduate. If you think about it, just about every American in this country has school loans or bills to pay. It's just that some people choose to live above their means. Try to rebudget to pay for your school loans with your current salary and stay with your employer at least for two years.

jjjoy, LPN · Nov 19, 2010

If you're fairly satisfied with your current working conditions, be sure to take that into account. You've gotten a feel for where you're working now and if that's working for you, it might be worth hanging around awhile until you solidify your experience.

You might find the new place to not be as supportive to its' new nurses as your current employer and find yourself wanting to quit after a few months despite the better pay. Of course, it might be an overall better place to work. That's one of the many uncertain factors you have to weigh in making a decision. Good luck!

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Nov 20, 2010

You might find the new place to not be as supportive to its' new nurses as your current employer and find yourself wanting to quit after a few months despite the better pay.

And unable to return to the first place because you robbed them of $50,000 or more for your residency program that you immediately quit when you were done with it and wanted a few more dollars.

lilypad2424 · Nov 20, 2010

Why don't you ask for a raise? Ask if they can meet you in the middle????

The worst thing they can say is NO.

I agree with the other posts about the expense of training new nurses. However, it goes both ways. We are all working to make money. The company in and of itself is operating to make money. You only get what you ask for.

RNQueen · Nov 21, 2010

Great comments I must say. I appreciate what you all said. If money is all I cared about I won't even start this thread.

To the person that talked about cutting back to pay student loans I will say I am bone dry. There's nothing to cut. I don't even live up to my means. It is a great advice btw, it just doesn't apply to me.

While I may not know what I'm going to encounter in a new workplace, I am not afraid of whatever that may be as well. One's success or failure in any situation depends on her positive character and outlook, and I've got plenty of both. The only holdback is that I love, love working here. I may stay put for a year but if our neighboring hospitals keep wooing me and our management insists on salary freeze...I will continue to love them but from across the street.