Was given a raise not to quit - now I have a target on my back

GourmandG · Jul 14, 2016

Am I the only one impressed with your shrewd negotiation skills? Way to go!

With that said, I don't think you made a mistake by staying and you made the best and right decision with the information you had at that time. Who wouldn't have chosen the higher paying job? You obviously wouldn't have stayed had you known they would change their tune so what's done is done. View it as an opportunity and see what you have learned from it.

For instance, next time someone offers you a job that requires you to quit right away, you may want to insist that you can't leave on bad terms. You are flattered and appreciate their offer but out of respect you need to give them notice. I don't think they would fault you for that because they surely would appreciate the same professional courtesy.

As a new grad, you're not going to work there forever and will deal with other obstacles wherever you go. You're going to deal with all types of people and employers so why not see it as an opportunity to overcome a difficult situation at the work place? Once it passes, no one can take this triumph away from you and you'll know you too can overcome the next challenge.

Something else gained from this is that we now know they were willing and did in fact pay you more than the RNs (obviously keep this info to yourself). You know that you did a darn good job to have gotten those accolades so keep this close to your heart and keep doing what you have been doing. Don't let them bully you into trying to "earn" your pay raise by doing more because not only will it risk patient safety but making errors due to rushing or trying to do too much will just give them reason to let you go or lose your license and that will be on you.

Look at those mistakes they are pointing out to you. Even if it is a small mistake, it is still a mistake. Other employers will feel the same way too. If they get off your case after you corrected yourself, then I think that is fair.

Could you possibly be feeling some guilt for making more than the RNs or secretly feeling you don't deserve this pay yet due to being a new LPN? Be aware of self fulfilling prophecies.

Don't let on that they are intimidating you. Act and do the same things that you have been doing. Draw from the accolades given and be confident in what you are doing. Kill them with kindness. If they see that they don't get a rise out of you, they will lose interest. If they wanted to fire you, they would have the minute the nurses came back from vacation so this tells me that they value you. Maybe they are afraid of showing you how much they value you for fear you will use it against them and get another raise?

Some places do train and allow you to do a duty that is not within your scope of practice. Is there an RN duty that you want to get cross trained on? After thanking them again and telling them how much you appreciate their generosity, ask if they feel it fair that they train you on such and such? Of course, this means once you know how, they will expect you to keep doing it! But this will be something that you can now add to your resume and help you stand out when it comes time to leave!

I would try and stick it out with the above suggestions to get at least a year or two under your belt. Then you can resign on better terms when their feelings aren't so raw. But if you aren't able to, then yes, look for a new job but just be prepared to answer questions as to why you are leaving after such a short time of working there.

Good luck!

elkpark · Jul 14, 2016

Of course you have a target on your back -- what were you expecting? You basically extorted money from them when they were desperate and they had no choice but to capitulate, and now they resent that (which is understandable). You're going to be under a microscope from now on (and how is it unreasonable to expect a higher level of performance from someone who is now getting paid significantly more?), and I expect they'll get rid of you the first chance they get. Looking for something else is a good idea.

AutumnApple · Jul 14, 2016

They set things up so you couldn't give notice to your other job. They wanted that bridge burned for you.

I never burn bridges at facility A no matter how good things look with facility B. Giving notice is not something I allow myself to think is optional. If a place is unsafe that's one thing. But no notice because the grass is greener on the other side.........is rarely a good idea.

I once was going to change home care agencies. The new agency i was going to was offering a sizable raise. They were very motivated too. Called my twice to remind me to put my notice in. I did, but I of course was professional with the old job throughout. Day after my notice was done came, new company called me to say things had changed. The place I was to work wanted to change the pay rate, lower it by six dollars an hour.

I of course declined and stayed at the old job. The family I work with was tickled pink over me staying. Couldn't have done that if there had been no notice.

And I agree with everyone else, look for something new.

WheatGerm · Jul 14, 2016

Of course you have a target on your back -- what were you expecting? You basically extorted money from them when they were desperate and they had no choice but to capitulate, and now they resent that (which is understandable). You're going to be under a microscope from now on (and how is it unreasonable to expect a higher level of performance from someone who is now getting paid significantly more?), and I expect they'll get rid of you the first chance they get. Looking for something else is a good idea.

I don't think I'd go so far as EXTORT. That seems a bit extreme. If you come up with an offer and it is ridiculous to the company, no matter how desperate they are, they will reject it and hire someone else. Especially because this isn't a person with a whole lot of experience I'm sure they wouldn't have had much difficulty hiring a new grad again.

I think they basically realized it was a poor decision and now are trying to make up for it. Although how getting rid of OP at this point would benefit them makes no sense to me. They'd be right back in that desperate position I would think. I would certainly start looking for a new job though if possible.

Nursemiriben, LPN, EMT-P · Jul 15, 2016

I extorted nothing. I actually had a better offer at my day job and they offered to give me that pay but less hours to stay. How is that extortion? Extortion is I have you on tape in bed with a patient so I want 1000 an hour. Geez. Update: still there. While they surely probably could shuffle new graduates through I think they're slightly more cautious than that because when people get in there and see what it's like having 60 something pts alone they usually just don't come back. Ideally, I'd love to give a notice. It doesn't come from being unprofessional or inexperienced. ..but if you have a family to take care of and you're not able to pay the bills and something comes along that pays em...you take it. Notice or not. That's just me. I'm not loyal to the point of shooting myself in the foot.