Anyone leave over money/salary issue?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.

I'm fuming right now. I had posted last week about if anyone gets an annual raise, as I was awaiting my re-commitment letter from HR. I finally got my letter and right away noticed that though the salary had increased from last year, the increase was pretty small, especially considering I was adding an additional 5 hours per week. After more precisely calculating out the salary offered, I noticed that not only was it not a raise (it was only accounting for the extra five hours), it was actually a DECREASE by .05 cents an hour!!

I immediately brought this to the attention of my principal who is great. She said she would contact HR and in the meantime asked me to let her know how many years RN experience I have. I gave her the number of actual physical years working (11, four of which I worked as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and not including last year and this year at my current position, so almost 13 if you count this job). She presented that to HR and they said "we have a totally different calculation". They have the same exact CV.

I am floored, she is totally stumped and her hands are tied. I LOVE my job here and do not want to leave, however HR is not even acknowledging the error of a DECREASE from last year, which obviously makes no sense. Nor was there a cost of living increase. The crazy thing is, if they had not made the error, and offered me enough to cover the increased hours and even a negligible increase to count as cost of living, I would have happily signed. Now I am prepared to leave in June and not come back because they are not even accepting their calculation error. I'm so sad right now.

The Principal copied me in an email to HR and suggested we talk to figure this all out. I just emailed them with my CV attached (the same one they have) asking them how they are getting anything less than 11 years of active nursing (not counting last year and this year). I am waiting to hear back from them.

This is added to the fact that they made a huge error with my W2 and that error could potentially cost me $3000 if they do not submit a new W2 to me and the IRS. That whole issue has been on-going for two weeks.

Anyone else have an awesome school, but is stuck under the umbrella of a much larger HR that doesn't even know the staff on a personal basis? I hate feeling like this is making me look like it is all about money. It isn't and like I said, I would happily stay if they just corrected the error and gave me a cost of living increase. We all know we would be making lots more in a different setting but we do this because we love what we do. :(

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I know it's frustrating on an emotional level. In Texas public schools, school nurses are considered educators and on the same scale as teachers. So, however many years of nursing experience you have has no relevance to your pay scale. Teachers coming into the district with XYZ years of experience, however, are plugged into the scale with in mind; makes total non-sense. HR is self explanatory, universally bumbling and bungling...enough said.

If you LOVE your job there don't let your frustration and anger at HR prevent you from returning to what you enjoy next school year. Money is not a long term motivator. If you "do not want to leave." - don't leave. If you really enjoy what you're doing and leave because of this tiff, it's very likely you'll regret it.

You answered your own dilemma, "we do this because we love what we do." :up:

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I will most likely leave at the end of this year or during Christmas break next year due to salary. It's just not enough.

I'm also getting paid well for NYS, comparatively. Can't do it.

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Specializes in NCSN.
I know it's frustrating on an emotional level. In Texas public schools, school nurses are considered educators and on the same scale as teachers. So, however many years of nursing experience you have has no relevance to your pay scale. Teachers coming into the district with XYZ years of experience, however, are plugged into the scale with in mind; makes total non-sense. HR is self explanatory, universally bumbling and bungling...enough said.

If you LOVE your job there don't let your frustration and anger at HR prevent you from returning to what you enjoy next school year. Money is not a long term motivator. If you "do not want to leave." - don't leave. If you really enjoy what you're doing and leave because of this tiff, it's very likely you'll regret it.

You answered your own dilemma, "we do this because we love what we do." :up:

Even though salary is important, I agree 100% with OD that you should stay where you are happy. I was making a little over double in my previous nursing position, but I would never ever go back there after becoming a school nurse.

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It sounds like you might be more upset with the fact that they won't own up to their mistake than the actual issue with pay. Which is totally understandable. We all know that with HR, if YOU make a mistake, they fully expect you to own up to it and fix it. Its a hard thing to take when they won't show the same respect. I'm sorry they're being so ridiculous about it. Like some others have said, if you truly love your job and genuinely don't want to leave, then don't. I know that may be easier said than done, but making the decision to leave when you're in the middle of feeling so betrayed could lead you to make a decision you might regret. Take a step back and look at the whole picture. Weigh your pros and cons. Hopefully your HR will come around and make the necessary changes for you. Sending good thoughts and juju your way :)

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I have applied at the school district in my area but because the pay is *so* little ($18,000/yr) I have had to turn them down before. My husband makes more than that & he has no degree or certification so I find that pay to be an insult.

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We are considered unlicensed staff in my district. I am on the fence of staying or going currently, a big part of that will be if my pay is raised. I love what I am doing but the pay is horrible.

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Specializes in PCCN.
I have applied at the school district in my area but because the pay is *so* little ($18,000/yr) I have had to turn them down before. My husband makes more than that & he has no degree or certification so I find that pay to be an insult.

:roflmao:

:no:

are they serious?

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Specializes in Emergency; PACU, Cath Lab.

I have left two RN jobs due to low pay. This is a second career, and with HR only paying for years of experience and not based on ability, the extra hours I pick up, my self-perceived value to the department etc. and yes the joke of annual review (usually no increase, sometimes $0.05 - $0.15) I keep the resume current.

In my past experiences my direct managers have had no say in whether or not I receive a raise--strictly an HR decision, and they wouldn't know me from any other nurse in the department, they just use the chart...years of experience, degree, any market adjustment or competition and that's that. If you don't like it, pack your bags...so I have, and have increased my pay each time.

Unfortunately taking another position is my only bargaining chip, so I've had to use it.

Good luck in your decision. I would certainly keep the position until you've investigated other opportunities--alot less pressure to get a job if you're looking for one while you're still employed.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.
I have applied at the school district in my area but because the pay is *so* little ($18,000/yr) I have had to turn them down before. My husband makes more than that & he has no degree or certification so I find that pay to be an insult.

This is why I will never be a school nurse, at least where I live. Our district pays so little and the benefits have decreased so much that they have a very hard time staffing the schools.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.

Wow! It amazes me how many of us are dealing with pay issues. For me, it isn't even about the actual salary, it is about the fact that they made a calculation error that is very obvious and they are standing by their calculation. I have asked for a face-to-face meeting because the back and forth emails are driving me crazy, and I would like for them to at least have the decency to meet in person to explain to me how they are arriving at their salary. They have agreed and we are meeting this week. I am supposed to sign my letter by 5 pm Friday so we need to meet before that. I'll update after we meet.

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Specializes in kids.
Wow! It amazes me how many of us are dealing with pay issues. For me, it isn't even about the actual salary, it is about the fact that they made a calculation error that is very obvious and they are standing by their calculation. I have asked for a face-to-face meeting because the back and forth emails are driving me crazy, and I would like for them to at least have the decency to meet in person to explain to me how they are arriving at their salary. They have agreed and we are meeting this week. I am supposed to sign my letter by 5 pm Friday so we need to meet before that. I'll update after we meet.

I bet they made a calculation error during the budget building season, have submitted and formalized (voted on) their budget, and NOW have to look elswhere for the $$ to make up the difference. So they have to raid another budget line. And they will look silly and tick off somebody else when $$ they counted on is sent elswhere (to you).

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