I graduated in May and had a hard time (Like everyone) finding a job.
About a month ago, I have an interview at a womens correctional facility in my state. The NM has 2 jobs open. FT and a PT. During the interview, she mentions that the salary is 28.50 an hour plus $4 shift diff for evenings and $5 for overnights. I'm totally happy with that salary.
About two weeks later, she emails me to tell me that she decided to go with a more experienced RN for the FT job (days) but would like to offer me the PT job (overnights). I happily take it because I really just want to start getting some experience and I like the overnight hours. I STUPIDLY assume that it's at the salary she mentioned in the interview. I complete all of the paperwork, background check, etc but never receive a formal offer letter. I ask, she says she'll have it for me on my first day. No problem. My first day, I arrive to find that the other new nurse, the FT one, is a classmate of mine which sort of irks me because she had no more experience than I. I let it go though because I figure maybe the NM and she just clicked better or something. No big deal. I receive my offer letter and find that the salary on it is 27.00 an hour and not the 28.50 she stated in the interview. I ask and am told that PT pays a little less than FT. Ok, whatever. I'm a brand new nurse and I'll take it because 27 is still pretty good. HOWEVER, Im then told that PT positions don't offer the shift diff either. NOW I'm kind of annoyed. WHY??? I get I'm a new nurse, but that doesn't make me any less responsible or legally liable. After training, I'll be the only RN on staff at night along with 2 LPNS which makes me VERY responsible for what goes on. It's not like the Board of nursing will say "gee she's a new nurse so lets not suspend her license because the LPN on duty made a mistake that she's responsible for." I feel duped almost. I'll be making $6.50 an hour less than I thought and I feel like, yeah, I definately should have asked first but she definately should have told me. I feel a little bitter and maybe I shouldn't? EVERY OTHER NURSE WHO WORKS NIGHTS GETS THE SHIFT DIFF.
Am I being stupid? I need the job, not for the money, but the experience. I'm OK with 27 an hour. I just feel a little irritated and maybe I shouldn't be???? Is it common for PT jobs not to pay a shift diff???
I'd give them my two weeks notice, they think you are going to be a door mat. I would tell them exactly why I am leaving. You should not be working every single holiday. As a new grad RN I took a position that was days with every other weekend and every other holiday. On the first day we were all told that the hospital had eliminated the "weekend option" and we all would be working weekend nights. We also got stuck with every SINGLE holiday that year. And let me tell you, all new grads together on one shift overnight and weekends = nightmare. We all quit. I lasted the longest and it never got better, I felt stupid for sticking it out as long as I did.
sheronep, MSN, RN
171 Posts
They are taking advantage of you. I wouldn't let them. Call them out on the no change situation.