pay scale- why so hush hush??

purplemania, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2003

the reason for hush hush is because you would be tempted to compare your work with someone else's and decide it not fair that person is paid more so you develop attitude that interfers with job. People in unions are paid by seniority perhaps, but that is not always equitable because it benefits the unproductive worker. Have not found a truly equitable system. Our HR posts hi-median and lo salary ranges for each position to give people idea where they stand. Basically if you feel you are worth more than what you are being paid and cannot get it there, try somewhere else.

Beginning LPN pay here is about what you quoted.

dragonfly954 · Dec 2, 2003

Today I went on an interview for home health{the second formal interview in a room with 3 people}.At the end of the 30 minute grilling and after being told they would see me on thurs.for orientation,I asked what the pay rates were for admissions/visits.The room was silent for a long time.They acted like I had asked for their first born children!I didn't ask the first round cause they always tell you not to bring up money the first interview,but now that I'm hired I want to know what I'm making!They told me.I accepted.Then was told to not discuss it with the other employees.So I know where you are coming from. I was shocked.Is this usual policy in nursing these days? :eek:

Katnip, RN · Dec 2, 2003

It's not just in nursing where companies want employees to be hush hush about salaries. And oftentimes, it does cause trouble, especially if people are given raises based on merit as well as seniority.

My hospital told me flat out before I even interviewed what the salary would be for new grads. All the hospitals I looked at did the same, since they are all pretty competitive.

Dragonfly's facility sounds like it's taken paranoia to new heights though, making an offer of employment and expecting acceptance without knowing how much she will be making.

cannoli · Dec 2, 2003

One nurse, with many years of experience, certifications, who worked in a progessive care unit found out that a new grad was making more than her, so she quit. She found out from the new grad discussing it.

She said, and I agreed with her, that she was going to tell the unit manager why she was quitting, but another nurse told her not to, not to burn her bridges, so she didn't.

They don't want it discussed because they are paying different people different amounts, and don't want it known, because it stinks like rotten fish.

cannoli · Dec 2, 2003

One unit manager wanted to hire me for a full-time position and couldn't even tell me what the salary was, said she didn't know.

Sarah Kat · Dec 4, 2003

Almost every job I have ever had (all non-nursing -- I don't start LPN school in Jan) discouraged discussion of pay, most forbid it. It's a good policy for any company, as some people DO get paid more than others, and for good reason. If you are doing the duties of 3 people because the others around you are slacking off (but the company can't fire them because they are lucky to have anyone there at all) then I think you deserve to be making more money. There are factors involved that can't always be seen with the naked eye, either. Salary discussion generally creates more problems than it solves.

But they should totally tell you what you would be making when they offer you the job. Do they really expect you to take a job without knowing how much you would get paid? Obviously pay is important, or else we'd all be volunteers!

As far as starting LPN salary, I would recommend asking that on the state forum for where you live. Pay can vary even between cities, let alone states. For instance, we make next to nothing here in WV (I think the starting LPN salary is about $9-10/hr.).

fergus51 · Dec 4, 2003

I wouldn't trust any place that doesn't allow employees to discuss wages (or anything else for that matter). There should be a fairly obective way of determining wages that takes seniority, eperience, education and performance appraisals into account.

IamRN · Dec 4, 2003

I have worked for several hospital systems that use clinical ladders to gauge pay scale. One doesn't know exactly what amount the other is getting, but one can guess by the I, II, III, IV or V after their RN. It is all pretty adequate though, since the higher in the scale you go the more responsibilities you have to maintain year to year. If you fall short of the expected you are bumped down a level or to whatever level expectation's you met.

tntrn, ASN, RN · Dec 4, 2003

One of the biggest reasons administrations do not want you discussing pay is that they are giving newly-hired nurses, with or without comparable experience more, much more, pay than those who have been there for 15, 20, 25 or 30 years! They don't want a revolt. We are dealing with this, again, in negotiations again this year.

dphrn · Dec 4, 2003

I recently relocated to VA. I have been on appx five interviews in the last three months. I agree with you dragonfly, when I ask pay scale, they act as though I catch them off guard. They act almost surprised that it matters to me how much money they will pay me.

Two of the employers offered me the position and only then did I ask for the pay rate. Why would an employer think you could make that decision before knowing that info? I know pay should not be discussed until a certain point, but even then they act as though you should not know before accepting a position.

I went on an interview last Friday and it went very well. It lasted almost an hour. The woman asked if I was still interested after the hour, the tour, etc. I asked what their pay scale was. It was riduculously LOW, so no, I was not interested any more. Sorry, I have that right.

One thing I have found during this job search is that people think just because you come to an interview, you desperately want the job, and you will take anything they offer. I have the choice this time what position I will take, and yes, I am being very picky. I have declined three positions so far offered to me, and employers are almost stunned when you thank them "but it is not what I am looking for at this time".

This is the first time I have went on interviews thinking, what can YOU offer me? You need to sell your company to me instead of me selling to you. I think that has made a great difference too, I am more relaxed and the interviews usually go very well. It is a great feeling to be on the other side of the table.

I am working part time at the Oncology clinic, but I am still on a search for something else prn. I want to find my "passion" in nursing. So my search continues!

LPN-n-2005 · Dec 4, 2003

to the reply only starting out making 9-10 dollars an hour for LPN in WV starting off. that is abhorable pay!!! i make 9.00 an hour right now working as a nursing assistant while in nursing school!!! :eek:

that's one of the reasons im in nursing school is to make a livable wage. some only making 8.00 would only make roughly $13,500 a year and that's poverty level. no wonder people move on. who wants to bust thier butt in school only to make poverty level wages and live in some government run ,roach infested, gang hang out apartments and be stuck riding the bus? not me!!!