Shorted $800 on my first check as a GN

I find it odd that this is your DON's responsibility and not a qualified HR department. Do you have an HR department to bring this up to?

3 lessons here:

1.) Get everything in writing, especially job offers and terms of employment such as benefits, pay, vacation, etc.

2.) They owe you the money, and won't pay it unless you persist. Write a courteous, professional letter to your manager, DON, and head or Human Resources (keeping a copy for yourself) explaining that you fully expect that this "error" will be corrected promptly. It is NOT reasonable to expect you to wait until your next check (probably 2 weeks away) to be paid a substantial amount of money that is owed you.

3.) Don't give up so easily, or you will be "marked" as a doormat for the duration of your employment.

Good luck!

They do owe you the money. You probably need to go through HR to get everything straightened out. Make copies of everything. I just started as a RN in January. I was quoted one payrate during my interview, but paid a lower rate on my check. It took 2 months for HR to finally address it and they did pay me retro. Did you have to sign a hire letter? If so, did that have your PRN status noted? Hope you get everything straightened out soon.

Geez:eek:, sorry to hear this kinda thing happens. Thanks for sharing, it makes me wiser. Also, good advice from replies !

I agree with all the posters. When I was due my yearly raise, the start-pay was raised and I didnt get my raise. I was then making the same amount as if I was a new hire and I had been there a few years. I questioned it, was told that I wouldnt get it due to the start-pay raise. I just went up the chain of command. It took me a few months to get it, but I got it and also got retro pay. I would NOT allow them to keep my hard-earned money, whether it be $10 or $100. You earned it. My HR dept didnt help me, I went to the DON. But in your case, the DON is the problem. I would be very assertive, professional and not ASK, but TELL her that you expect your pay. Please let us know how this turns out.

i also am learning after 8years of nursing that u have to put everything writing no matter what it is. the higher people will screw u in the long run because they are going to cover up there mistakes no matter what to keep there job. always remember there is nobody looking out for u except for yourself and u can't let them get over you

3 lessons here:

1.) Get everything in writing, especially job offers and terms of employment such as benefits, pay, vacation, etc.

2.) They owe you the money, and won't pay it unless you persist. Write a courteous, professional letter to your manager, DON, and head or Human Resources (keeping a copy for yourself) explaining that you fully expect that this "error" will be corrected promptly. It is NOT reasonable to expect you to wait until your next check (probably 2 weeks away) to be paid a substantial amount of money that is owed you.

3.) Don't give up so easily, or you will be "marked" as a doormat for the duration of your employment.

Good luck!

YES!! YES!! YES!! How you handle this situation will set the tone of your future with this employer. Allow them to rip you off and treat you poorly and get ready for more of it. Write the letters as advised and don't be afraid to follow up. They owe you the money and they know it. Don't let them intimidate you. And remember if they were shorted $800 they would fight it too.

I am sorry to hear that the excitement of your first pay check had to be dampered by such a big financial error.

However, Congrats on making it to this point that you are an actual employed nurse who is arguing over her pay check.

1.) Get everything in writing

How true and necessary.

You say you did not get the benefits. If there is no VAC time, sick time, insurance, or etc. reflected on the pay stub, then they did not forget. They just darn well did not pay you and clearly they owe you money. Red flag that DON is blaming you. She could say, "I will check into it. There must be a misunderstanding." "I will sort this out. Let's put into writing exactly what it is you want." Instead she blames you. Were you ever given anything to sign. A proper employer would have given you the correct paperwork. Get the money and RUN!!!!!!

This hospital is very small, approx 33 med-surg beds, so I am not sure about human resources, but I am going in tomorrow to find someone to talk to about it. I just do not want to be labled a "trouble-maker", I need this job. I have typed a letter stating that the DON and I discussed this on the phone, and that she stated that I was going to recieve PRN wages and I am giving a copy of it to personnel. Eventually I want to be a traveling nurse, so perhaps this is a good lesson for me to learn that I need to make sure everything is in writing..........not just rely on someone's word.......I can tend to be gullible sometimes. I will keep you all posted on what happens tomorrow when I approach personnel about it-but I believe this DON is the "last stop" due to it being such a small facility. She does the hiring and firing........

if all else fails, there's always the labor board.

do not let this slide.

wishing you the best.

leslie