Should I ask for more money?

[AnnieOaklyRN]

Hi,

I have been working per-diem at a job for several months, and now I have the opportunity to come on board part time. The hospital just gave raises to everyone, but I still feel the hourly rate is on the low side.

Should I ask for a raise, or will that come off as greedy since we just got raises?

Annie

[Farawyn]

I don't think it would be inappropriate to ask just be prepared to know what your plan is if they say no. I have only asked for more money in a situation where I KNEW I was one of the few choices they had because of the field I am in, or was in, is very limited to who actually has experience in it.

Right. IV team is a job that experienced nurses want. If you ask for more $$$ there will be 10 who won't.

BSNs don't get paid much more $$$ in NY. Don't know where in the NE you are.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I would ask if you could keep your current rate of pay, since PD is usually higher than PT or FT, since you are waiving benefits.

The nicest thing- when I went FT at the clinic from PD at EHD they kept my current rate of pay, which was higher than the salary stated by almost 4$ an hour. I didn't ask for it, they just did it. :)

(I found out later they did it because the job was crazy and they couldn't keep a good nurse there. I left anyway after 2 years, despite the $$$.)

Also, you still have IV teams? They did away with them at my old hospital almost 5 years ago.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, many hospitals in this area have IV teams, and some are even starting them. In Boston I believe every hospital has an IV team, but as I said I am finding more and more smaller community hospitals are starting them, even if it is just to do PICC lines.

Annie

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

It's kind of "Ballsy" to ask for a raise when you are relatively new. Like Blue eyes said be prepared to state why you are worth it and don't give an ultimatum unless you plan to carry it out - such as If I don't get a raise I'll quit. I once told a boss that (non-nursing) and he responded "Don't let the door hit you in the orifice on the way out"

Hppy

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

I don't see any harm in negotiating. If you don't ask you'll always wonder.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

It's kind of "Ballsy" to ask for a raise when you are relatively new. Like Blue eyes said be prepared to state why you are worth it and don't give an ultimatum unless you plan to carry it out - such as If I don't get a raise I'll quit. I once told a boss that (non-nursing) and he responded "Don't let the door hit you in the orifice on the way out"

Hppy

I have worked there for about eight months, not exactly "new" there in my eyes. I am prepared to turn down the part time job if they cannot offer me more money, as it is the right financial decision for me.

I will be saving them the time of having orient someone to the hospital and department!

Annie

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Just an update. I did talk to the manager today and asked for another 2.00 an hour to offset the high cost of benefits there. To be honest this hospital has one of the most expensive health insurance plans that I have ever seen, and not only for the biweekly cost (150.00 biweekly for individual coverage), but also as far as deductible (1000.00). I am generally healthy, but I require asthma medication monthly and follow up visits every 3-4 months, so that will add up. I have to look at the big picture unfortunately, since I have a mortgage and other bills to pay.

The manager said she will talk to HR about it and we will discuss the position next week when I am back there.

Thank you all for the advise.

Annie

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

Don't most facilities pay according to a scale that uses years of experience as the main criteria for someone's pay rate? And then they add on anything extra, like certifications, to that? Every place I have worked did; they didn't just pick a pay rate for each individual. Raises were given in accordance to annual performance reviews, but those were bases on a scale also. Anyway, doesn't hurt to ask.

[PinayUSA]

I don't see any harm in negotiating. If you don't ask you'll always wonder.

Agreed

I learned that some get much better deals on raises and getting hired benefits. Like moving expense, housing expense, car allowance.

Always be trying to upgrade your salary if you work for a company.......

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Don't most facilities pay according to a scale that uses years of experience as the main criteria for someone's pay rate? And then they add on anything extra, like certifications, to that? Every place I have worked did; they didn't just pick a pay rate for each individual. Raises were given in accordance to annual performance reviews, but those were bases on a scale also. Anyway, doesn't hurt to ask.

Yes, they all do this, but I am guessing it is lower than they can actually afford to pay. Kind of like when you go to a car dealership and they offer to sell you the car at MSRP, which is way more than they actually payed for it, but they are not going to just tell you their lowest bottom line price right off the bat because they don't want to loose money, just like any business.

I asked for another two dollars an hour and the manger said we will talk in person next week. Bottom line here is unless they can give me the additional hourly then I cannot take the job for the reasons mentioned previously.

This hospital is also in a state with notoriously low nursing pay, which is next to a state with notoriously high pay rates for nursing, so there has to be some give. I am dual licensed and will just cross the border if I need to.

Currently I am only making 4.00 more an hour as a nurse when compared to being a paramedic, and in addition as a medic I work (2) 48 hour shifts, which means I get 8 hours a week of time and a half pay (which equates to another 400.00 a month). Also as I mentioned my benefits are A LOT cheaper than this hospital's benefits.

Annie

[Farawyn]

I hope you get it, OP. More money is always good.

(And yes, 8 months is "new".)

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Thanks I do too. I know my body is starting to say WTH every time I carry someone down the stairs, as I am not getting any younger, and our population isn't getting any lighter.

I do believe this would be a great move for me, but it has to be the right financial move as well. Thanks everyone for all the advise, I appreciate it, and I will let you know how it turns out.

Annie