megan215

How do I speak up about it effectively? I want to say something about it, ask for an increase even if it IS true that she's getting more. I don't want to get her into any trouble and I don't want to out myself in a position where they stop giving me available shifts. Their homecare division s that way in that they'll stop using a nurse for whatever reason and won't even tell them...

You're absolutely right... people lie all the time. I'don't like to think of us as friends though and I have a hard time finding a reason for her to make up such a lie... but then again some people make up lies for no reason at all. The fact that she may be lying all together and probably making the base rate and nothing more is what holds me back from inquiring about it at the level of the recruiter, at this moment. We both are working for an agency right now. They offer a benefits package once you've been working FT and 3 months. Being that it is agency work, you're not always at FT status, they don't take away your eligibility if you can't make 36+ hours each week after you've been working for 3 months. So I consider myself full time because most of my weeks are full time weeks. But I'm not sure how long that will last either. Hopefully, at least till Christmas. But you're not offered more because you're PT. There's the base rate and then they make an offer based on years of experience. I've been working as a nurse for 3 years, declined the benefits package. She's been a nurse for 2 years and she's been working with this agency for about 3 weeks now. Not sure if she's accepting benefits or not but in this area they generally don't offer higher pay in lieu of benefits. At least not where I've worked. I usually decline benefits because my husband carries the whole family and when I've asked about getting more $ it's a 'no'. She's allowed to get FT hours and even over time whenever she wants as well, making her eligible for the same benefits that were eventually offered to me. But it could be a very real possibility that she's not being 100% honest too. I'm still debating whether to speak up about it though...

OK 2 LPNs working for the same agency. LPN#1 (me) has been working for agency since 2015 and been an LPN for 3 years. LPN #2 (friend/coworker from a different facility) has been working for this same agency for 3 weeks and been a nurse for 2 years. I rarely discuss pay but my friend felt comfortable enough to tell me what she is making on her assignments. She still doesn't know what I'm making. But in our discussions she's revealed that she's been making between $2- $10 more per hour than what I've been getting offered!! At first it didn't bother me because she has hospital experience, in the state she got her license from LPNs are still hired in hospitals. In the state we live in now, they don't typically need an LPN in a hospital setting, esp if they don't already have hospital experience. But then she mentioned that her agent (who's also been sending me on assignments) has offered her $2.50/hr more than what he offers me. He's been offering me a flat rate wherever I go... she's just making more and more wherever she's sent it seems. She mentioned getting that extra money over what I was getting to work at a place that I also go to and do the same job she'd be doing. Now I'm upset. I don't want to say anything to the recruiter or management because I don't want to get either of us in trouble. But I just don't get why she is offered more to do the same work that I'm also qualified to do. I get how she can make more at a hospital. I just don't understand how we can both be scheduled at the same nursing home by the same agency and have one nurse make X amount of dollars per hour and have the other nurse make 2-10 per hour more than that? I kinda wanna call her bluff on it but she never struck me as a dishonest person. I can't help but be jealous, and this is why I don't tell what I make. I was simply telling her about 'perks' they may not mention in the beginning like 'crisis' pay and how they'll add it to OT if you make any etc... I didn't mention numbers. She called me excited one day to tell me about it. So, when would all of this equal she deserves better rates than I'm getting? If this helps, these are some details: Me: -married, 30, 2 kids, a mortgage, and typical bills -licensed for 3+ years -working FT for agency for 1year -starting school for RN in 2017 - no hospital experience. Her: -Single, 28, renting, no kids, typical single/childless renter's bills (but no car payment) -licensed for 2 years -PT for agency for 3 weeks (?) -anticipated graduation date from an LPN-BSN program in 2017. -1 year hospital experience

ps:: we're in in south east VA near the oceanfront

Thanks so much!!! and we found out last week we're having another boy, we're super excited!!!

Thanks mluvsgnc for that tip, I was totally prepared to make that call!!! But the DON called me Wednesday morning and offered me the position! !! She said because I'm anew grad that she'd like me to stay pt with the possibility of going full time after the 90 day probation. I'll definitely take that because right now part time is better than no time right?! And hopefully in this 90 days I can show her and the teams that I'll be working with that I can handle being a full time employee. I wanted to keep you all updated. Thanks, everyone so much for your advice, kind words, and support. Honestly that was one of the longest weeks I've had in a long long time. I would read these comments over and over and try and stay psotive throught it all. I've also been filling out applications and dropping off my resume with no calls back:-\ but thank God I got this offer. And again thank you all so much for supporting me:) I can't fully explain how awesome you all have been!!!!

OMG that's awful lilsnfrn!!! I hope that doesn't happen to me:( I can't even get a call back though so I may just lose my skills hoping someone hires me. I had that one interview and have not heard from anyone about anything. The HR lady who was so friendly and helpful last week is nowhere to be found... I'm thinking she may be on vacation?? So far, I don't think any of my references have been contacted. I checked with my current and previous employer once I found out the DON at this new place was gonna make some calls. My current employer said she would give a reference when she gets a call, my previous employer said company policy is that she can't say anything at all and that I'm supposed to give her the info for HR. So I emailed the DON about this change and I haven't heard anything back. I'm starting to lose hope... I just really want to work and be a nurse and I'm getting so sad that no one's even giving me a first look, much less a second.... how long does it take to contact employers anyway. This new director said that I should call or email her if I haven't heard anything back in two weeks (one week now) am I worrying too much? She still has a week before I should expect a response, but she assured me before I left that I would hear from her much sooner:(

Oh no she didn't ask if I was pregnant, I volunteered the information thinking she'd notice anyway and I didn't want it to look like a deliberate omission. This is somewhere that I'd like to stay long term if I'm offered the position and I'd want her to know who she's hiring, as much as she can during the interview. This also gives her more time to figure out what she'll need to do to prepare for my brief absence over the summer (if I'm hired).... it's probably a dumb move on my part and I'll learn my lesson soon enough I'm guessing. .. but I hate lying about something that will have an affect on my attendance in the next 5 months. I'm hoping she appreciates my open and honest approach to the interview. The only question she did ask me (after I disclosed my pregnancy and told her my plans as far as work) was if I thought I'd be able to keep up with the pace of the facility... I'm not offended by it, I guess she could ask me that even if I wasn't pregnant? Idk... I think hiring professionals should pick employees based on skills and attitude at the time of the interview. But it's still a wild card process even that way. She could skip over me and go for the non pregnant nurse who graduated before me who's got a more solid skills base but is willing to take the same pay. Then that person could start working, and be a drug seeker, or avoid their tasks or be dishonest or mean to the patients or staff... With my approach I would hope she saw that I would not be that way, that I'm a team player and I put patient care at a very high standard. So many people get into nursing for the wrong reasons: they need a job and this is a quick fix, there's that "shortage" (that can't possibly still exist otherwise I wouldn't be worried, I'd be working), and they think nurses make bank (it can be done but an LPN fresh out of school will not be rich instantly and there are tons of careers that pay more). I really want to help people with medical issues and I want to be apart of the difference that's made when someone comes into your life who really cares and they know that person doesn't have to, but they can tell that they WANT to. I'm not sure she got all that in a 40 minute chat with me but learning all that about me would definitely take time and I never want her to think she invested in a dishonest person or someone who lacks the confidence (even though I definitely don't feel it right now),assertiveness, determination and ambition it takes to succeed. I'm praying she picks me. I'm also really sorry I left such a long comment haha I'm sorry Been there Done that :) It is illegal to discriminate but it happens more often than not and even if she decided now that I don't deserve the job simply because I'm pregnant, she could say anything and I'd have no evidence of this discrimination. It's the knowledge of this unspoken discrimination that's discouraging me at this time. I know she shouldn't, no one should. But she could definitely do it and others do it all the time:(

I'm sorry I meant CrunchRN

Thanks so much CrunchED and Esme12!!!! I will definitely keep you all posted:)

I've only ever heard of hospitals doing that... but I'm sure if you research the facility you want work in, you could find out. Don't be afraid to call around and ask. good luck:)

thanks HouTx!! if my tummy wasn't so round I would've stayed quiet till I got an offer but I got nervous that she'd see it, assume I'm lazy or further along and send me swiftly on my way. I wanted her to see how determined and ambitious I am having another child only makes me want to work more. I really want this. Next time, if there has to be a next time (I really hope I get the good call), I probably won't be so forthcoming with the good news...

UPDATE!!!!! I called HR at the facility headquarters (I guess?? I live in VA and this lady is in PA) to see if I could get an interview with the facility in a different location. She just called to let me know that the DON at the place I want emailed her to let her know that she's checking my references and if they're all positive then she'll extend an offer!!!!! OMG I'm so nervous now!!! I'm really ready to hear a yes or no soon (but I'm really hoping yes!!) Pray for mr please everyone!!!!!! I will update again whichever way it turns out!!!

Thanks xoemmylouox and haha I can totally work without any obsession of my son. Of course I love my kid to bits but I want my career and I don't see a reason why I can't be a mother and a nurse. I really think that MA set me up to get let go... when they found out I was an LPN another MA revealed to me that she was ****** when she first saw me cause she thought someone was getting fired and she was worried it would her... I was told I'd be "helping out" when all I ever did was wander the office. I really hope this second job calls me back.

I agree with SoldierNurse22. Just be upfront and discuss your skills. You're still technically a new grad cause you've been out less than 6 months but explain how much you did learn at your previous job. Have you tried a cover letter? Or revamping your resume to highlight the experience you did get at this job?? I'm in a similar situation, don't love my job and looking for a new one. It's my first job as an LPN as I also graduated in Aug and got my license in November. But I put it as experience anyway because there really isn't much else I could do.... as everyone else always tells me, if they want you, they'll hire you. Good Luck!!!