salary increase negotiation. Should I be scared to ask?

[whitewing]

I've been a nurse for 5 years now. Started on telemetry floor transferred in Intensive care unit then I am currently an open heart nurse for almost a year now. I feel like I have accomplished so much for 5 years working in my hospital however my salary is very low not even atleast 30 per hour. I am planning to go to my HR and negotiate my salary increase. Is it a good idea? Will it go against me? How would I negotitae. Obviously I don't really know how to start the conversation. I research salary market here in Florida some offer 30/hr in nursing home. I wonder what it is for CArdiothoracic RN? I am thinking it should be higher since its a special area. Pls help me my fellow nurses. I greatly need your advise. Thank u.

[zzbxdo]

I work in a unionized facility I don't need to go through all the hoops. However, I would be negotiating for a salary increase with each annual review.

[llg, PhD, RN]

First step: Find out how compensation is determined in your hospital. At many hospitals, there is no possibility of negotiation. Pay is based on a strict formula based on how many years of experience you have. New grads start at the bottom of the range and X amount is added for each year of experience -- whether you are brilliant and wonderful, or whether you are an incompetent idiot, the pay is the same. So you need to find that out before you go too far.

Once you find out how the compensation is determined, then you can make a plan. Until then, you are shooting blindly into the dark.

For example, do they pay more for certain specialties? Is there a bonus for certification? or more education? for taking more responsibility by being a preceptor or charge nurse? etc. Find out what the possibilities, then show that you have (or have done) the things that justify an increase in pay. Or make a plan to get or do those things you don't already have/do.

[whitewing]

Thank you so much for your comment. Unfortunately we don't have union here in Florida to fight for us nurses.. We have anual eval though no matter how well u do your job or how good your evaluation is you will only get more or less 50 cents increase.. I guess its better than nothing?.. That's kinda sad though especially you work so hard with all your heart and doing the best you caN yet u r not getting paid even atleast within the market level of ur specialty.

[whitewing]

Thank you so much for giving me such a wonderful ideas..