Pay Rate Jealousy

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  1. Should nursing assistants earn more than nurses?

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What is a decent pay for a nurse? I have been a nurse for a very short time, but I at least thought that I would make more than a CNA. I accidentally found out that I am making less than some of the nurse aides that are working at my job. Now I will say that their jobs are hard too and they have been doing this type of work for a long time, but I thought that there was a pay ceiling for them. I was a cna for over ten years before I became a nurse, and while I am happy that my degree has brought an increase, I now feel ashamed of my pay. I work hard too and sometimes I don't even get a break, so now I really feel disgusted with myself. This is why people should not discuss their pay, waving around pay stubs and stuff. And I shouldn't be so sensitive either, but at this time, I am.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

People should not be allowed to discuss their pay because it makes you feel disgusted? Just a touch ridiculous...

What is a decent pay for a nurse? I have been a nurse for a very short time, but I at least thought that I would make more than a CNA. I accidentally found out that I am making less than some of the nurse aides that are working at my job. Now I will say that their jobs are hard too and they have been doing this type of work for a long time, but I thought that there was a pay ceiling for them. I was a cna for over ten years before I became a nurse, and while I am happy that my degree has brought an increase, I now feel ashamed of my pay. I work hard too and sometimes I don't even get a break, so now I really feel disgusted with myself. This is why people should not discuss their pay, waving around pay stubs and stuff. And I shouldn't be so sensitive either, but at this time, I am.
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Why is this ridiculous? Nurses on contract are sometimes asked not to discuss how much they are earning. Some companies have rules in place like that, but I don't feel that it's "ridiculous" in any way.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

The ridiculous part is that you are blaming your feelings of disgust on someone's salary. You need to own your feelings and not blame others for them. Also, you can't stop people from discussing salaries with each other. It's discouraged, certainly, in order to avoid what you're butt hurt about here, but not legally prohibited.

That an aide with years of blood, sweat and tears invested in a company is compensated at a higher rate than a newish nurse is life. If you don't like it, I'm sure you are welcome to lend your skills to another healthcare entity.

Why is this ridiculous? Nurses on contract are sometimes asked not to discuss how much they are earning. Some companies have rules in place like that, but I don't feel that it's "ridiculous" in any way.
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Specializes in Med surg..

I am not sure which type of institution you are working at but if the CNA's are making more then the LPN I would be looking for a new job or apply to be a CNA there..... :nono: This seems very bizarre to me.. In my state RN's start at around 20ish an hour and go all the way up to 40$...CNA's in my state make about 10$ an hour... I do not know what LPN pay is because my area does not employ many LPN anymore- I hope this helps some!

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

If you are a new nurse, and the CNAs in question have been CNAs for a long time, then why would it be an issue? If the facility has decided that a CNA salary ceiling is higher than the starting pay for a new LPN, then that's their policy. If it's an issue, find a new job elsewhere. I think you're being more than a little oversensitive about the issue.

In the OR, I work with surgical technologists. Their pay scale maxes out where I begin. Personally, I think that's ridiculous because they are an integral part of the OR team.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
What is a decent pay for a nurse?
Factors such as geographic location, cost of living, educational level, experience, unionization and type of license play a role into the pay rate offered to a nurse.

For instance, an LPN in rural eastern Tennessee might earn $15/hr, while an LPN in Manhattan (NYC) might earn $25+ hourly. However, the LPN in Tennessee pays $700 monthly to rent a 3-bedroom house, whereas the LPN in Manhattan pays $1500 each month to share a basement apartment with a roommate.

Location, location, location...

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I was an aide for many years and in my post I said that they work hard, but I do too, and I do believe that asking for compensation for a skill set that I had to be licensed for is fair. I didn't just fall off a turnip truck and decide to be a nurse. I have been an aide for at least 15+ years before becoming a nurse! So by your account, since I should lend my skills elsewhere, should that be reverting back to cna work with my company, since they get paid so well? Maybe you are coming across as a harpy because it's not your check suffering.......you know, since I'm butt hurt and all. The very nerve of you lady!!!

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Factors such as geographic location, cost of living, educational level, experience, unionization and type of license play a role into the pay rate offered to a nurse.

For instance, an LPN in rural eastern Tennessee might earn $15/hr, while an LPN in Manhattan (NYC) might earn $25+ hourly. However, the LPN in Tennessee pays $700 monthly to rent a 3-bedroom house, whereas the LPN in Manhattan pays $1500 each month to share a basement apartment with a roommate.

Location, location, location...

Well, maybe it's because of their union because the nurses don't have one........

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I know several STNA's who make more per hour than some LPNs and RNs. The reason? Longevity. Staff who work for particular facilities started out at a much better pay rate if their initial employment date is prior to 2007/2008.

I was laid off in 2005 and went into a job other than nursing until 2010. When I went back to nursing in 2010 & applied at local LTC facilities I was truly surprised to learn how much the pay for new employees had dropped. Doesn't matter if you have years of experience, they just don't pay like they used to.

As a new nurse, just remember that these "high-paid" CNAs have earned their pay rate by staying put. Whatever you're making is better than zero.

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Thank you for your post. I greatly appreciate you bringing up such a hard subject for a lot of people. Pay rate is a tough issue because people have so many thoughts over what is the best rate of pay for their own experience and their schooling. Pay rate in the Washington D.C. area for RN nurses is about 35,000, but if you are a specialty nurse, then the pay rate goes up. A CNA and an LPN can get great pay here where I live, but it depends on where you work at. Perhaps doing some research about pay in your area and around the US could be helpful to you. Thank you for discussing such a hard issue for many people and for many workers who are nurses. Best of luck to you. Marcella 5/19/16

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Specializes in Nursing Home.

I work at a Nursing Home. I'm an LPN Charge Nurse/Floor Nurse. I've been a nurse for a year and a half and my approx pay is $18.00/hr. CNAs at my facility start at $7.50/hr.

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