sign on bonuses...is it just me?

ayndim · Sep 27, 2004

just want to know if anyone else feels this way.
Its really bothering me that new nurses are being recruited for big sign on bonuses and making more hourly then I am. To keep from using agency nurses they are offering them a really good hou rly wage and a sign on bonus.
Now working next to agency nurses and travel nurses knowing they are making a lot more money then me doesn't bother me one bit........for some reason it bothers me about the new nurses being hired on with more money and a bonus makes me want to quit.
Is it just me?

Have you went and asked for more money and the same bonus. They might be willing to pay it to you too.

dazzle256 · Sep 27, 2004

No. I found out about this on accident. I'm sure the nurse that was hired was told to keep it hush hush. I don't think I should have to ask....its the principle of the thing that is bothering me most.

James Huffman · Sep 27, 2004

Go ask. Job pay is ultimately always a negotiated thing, and there's nothing that says an employer can't pay you less, if you choose not to ask them for more. And if they refuse to match the bonus/salary, start looking elsewhere.

I think nurses should ALWAYS be checking out other pay. If they don't, their employer will think the nurse is willing to settle for what is given to them.

Don't be willing to settle. I can virtually guarantee you are worth more than you are being paid now. Go ask.

ERRN1028 · Sep 27, 2004

when I graduated 3 yrs ago, I started out making more than my mom (who had exp of 12+ years)- she went to the DON ~stood up for herself (she didn't have to tell how she knew she just said that she knows end of point), They wouldn't give her more $$ so she quit her "comfort zone" went to another hosp and is making $7.00/hour more.

Now-a-days, I work in a different state and new grads are making 19.50/hr, their preceptors were hired about 2-3 yrs ago and started out making 18.50/hr. It really is a shame that newer nurses are getting paid more ! It seems like hospitals should care about their employees who have been there, such as you.

I happen to have just moved to this city and when I got hired on I fought for the hourly pay I wanted, in the end thinking of my moms case I know that hosp was her "comfort zone" but quitting seemed to be the only way she got ahead, beating the system. {being one of the new people hired on to a new hosp.}

~hope that helps at all, but I know how you feel !

fergus51 · Sep 27, 2004

The principle would bug me too, but I guarantee I would ask about it and go elsewhere if my request wasn't met. The biggest reason seasoned nurses get shafted is because they won't ask for better.

wam79 · Sep 27, 2004

If I was disrespected by having new hires make more than me I would quit and go to work someplace else. Then I would be a new hire and make more. I wonder how long it will take the area hospitals to realize that after a while all the nurses will be making more money and no one will be loyal to any?

dazzle256 · Sep 27, 2004

If I was disrespected by having new hires make more than me I would quit and go to work someplace else. Then I would be a new hire and make more. I wonder how long it will take the area hospitals to realize that after a while all the nurses will be making more money and no one will be loyal to any?

Thats exactly how I'm feeling. When are they going to learn that retaining the nurses will save a lot of money.....after all thats the bottom line I guess.

Its not even so much the money for me.....like you said its the disrespect.

mrdoc2005 · Sep 27, 2004

when I graduated 3 yrs ago, I started out making more than my mom (who had exp of 12+ years)- she went to the DON ~stood up for herself (she didn't have to tell how she knew she just said that she knows end of point), They wouldn't give her more $$ so she quit her "comfort zone" went to another hosp and is making $7.00/hour more.
Now-a-days, I work in a different state and new grads are making 19.50/hr, their preceptors were hired about 2-3 yrs ago and started out making 18.50/hr. It really is a shame that newer nurses are getting paid more ! It seems like hospitals should care about their employees who have been there, such as you.
I happen to have just moved to this city and when I got hired on I fought for the hourly pay I wanted, in the end thinking of my moms case I know that hosp was her "comfort zone" but quitting seemed to be the only way she got ahead, beating the system. {being one of the new people hired on to a new hosp.}
~hope that helps at all, but I know how you feel !

I maybe missing something here....and if so please do not bit my head off just correct me.

It sounds like the preceptor started at 18.50 three years ago and now the new grad rate is 19.50. If I understood that right than sounds like that is just the normal increase for a new hire.

Now, I do understand why you are mad about sign-on bonuses. This all falls back on the whole thing that if we were paid what we should be then there would be no need for them and there would not be a shortage of working nurses.

ERRN1028 · Sep 27, 2004

Right, the new grads have the benefit of enjoying the increase in new hire pay. And the nurses with approx 3 yrs exp. make $1.00 less. Its just sad, ya know. how long will the new hire pay increase when everyone else is in the dark making less than $20.00/hr

Sign On bonuses don't impress me much, I have never taken one, taxed really heavily and never knew if I would fulfill the contract. :)

NurseStacey143, ADN, RN · Sep 27, 2004

my hospital does not give new hires any sign on bonus at all. The nurses who already work here can recieve a referal fee if they refer a new hire....which isnt much. But, they stopped them because others were getting upset.

Agnus · Sep 27, 2004

No. I found out about this on accident. I'm sure the nurse that was hired was told to keep it hush hush. I don't think I should have to ask....its the principle of the thing that is bothering me most.

Having been on the other side of this I can assure you this happens all the time in the business world. Here is how it goes. The employer is required to hire you for as little as they can get away with. Some applicants are more agressive at going after the money. So to get them they are paid more. Then you find out the less qualifed person is getting more than you. Now if you don't complain I the employer needs to do nothing about it. Why should I? However, if you make a stand for yourself I will respect that as long as you are firm and pay you.

If you roll over and play dead and say nothing then you get exactly what you ask for.

Saying that you should not have to ask is like saying to your husband "If your really loved me you would know what I want. I should not have to tell you." Well duh, he is not a mindreader and that is such an outdated and childish way of thinking not to mention self centered that it is rediculous.

The bottom line is if you do not value yourself enough to go after better pay why should I the employer. If I can get you for peanuts I would be a fool not to.

The real adult business world is not about shoulds and fair and square it is about $$.

This is not intended as a flame. This is given from the view point (devil's advocate here) of the employer. You may not like what I have to say, because I say it as an employer would. I am giving you the view point of the employer so that you may better learn how to deal with these issues.

Sometimes an employer will allow or encourage information leaks on purpose as this kind of infomation anger some (troublesome, or weak) employees enough to quit. It is better (cheaper and less risky for the employer) if an employee quits on thier own than to have to fire or lay off.

((hug))