Why don't employers start lowering wages for nurses?

[hcer4507]

After looking at the countless rants of nurses who can't get a job for months on here and seeing nearly all job listings for nurses requiring experience, I went on to conclude that getting a nursing job now isn't easy.

Why don't employers keep lowering the wage until there is only 1 or 2 applicants willing to apply instead of the usual 70 to 80? Don't you think an employer could get away with a job offer for $32 an hour for a RN instead of $33 an hour? Why not offer $8 or $10 an hour?? RN are working for FREE via internships! 33% of nurses at hospitals are nothing more than internships, free labor. The clinical experience at colleges means absolutely nothing. I bet you that a hospital can still get RNs if it paid $10 an hour for wages. On the news a while ago I heard of a company hiring programmers at MINIMUM WAGE, they had NO PROBLEM getting programmers willing to work for that much with no chance of pay increases. If you are an unemployed RN, wouldn't it be better to land a job as a RN for $15 an hour rather than be jobless?

On my way towards becoming an RN I've already encountered an obstacle. It's IMPOSSIBLE to get in anatomy, physiology, or microbiology. All classes were completely filled as soon as they were available to a group of students. I went to every class to petition and most of the time there were 3-4 times more people petitioning than people registered for the class. I will never get in those classes since I'm already working full time. Students taking more units (classes) last semester are the first allowed to register for classes. Students like me who struggle to get in a single class will always be the last allowed to register which means the classes I need will be closed. I'm not stupid and know I need to attempt to pass my classes with "A's". I'm getting a little discouraged when I'm not even given the opportunity to take the classes I need and when RNs can't find jobs at this time.

[StNeotser, ASN, RN]

I could go and work at the grocery store for that amount of money. No responsibility for lives, and my hair would not be greying up at it's current rate.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Don't think executives haven't already thought of that. To some extent it's happening now.

I think the law of supply and demand is going to rule. If the supply outnumbers the demand then we are going to see new grad salaries stagnant or even lower. Another thing that will hold salaries down is poor reimbursement rates.

It's doubtful that those already working are going to see their salaries cut. However, I did read on a thread here recently that many people are not seeing good raises if any at all.

I certainly won't be surprised if starting salaries don't start to go down. At least for the short term, because people want jobs and there will people who are going to take those salaries.

New grad salaries around here have steadily gone up the last 17 years I've worked here, because the same rule "supply and demand" and competition from other local hospitals. However, the last few years salaries have not risen. But at least we're still hiring.

[semicolonergic]

Hey now, some people are getting awfully mean to the OP. As a new grad, I SORTOF see where she's coming from. There've been many days I say to people that I wish I could do the 16 week training at a hospital without pay, or for less pay, because I feel that's why so many freezes are on for new grads. It costs more to train a new grad than an experienced RN. I definitely wouldn't work for peanuts down the road, but to be trained, when the other choice is unemployment? Heck yes. Perhaps I'm seeing with rose colored glasses because I'm so new to this, but some of us really just want the opportunity to learn and have a foot in the door. Especially in Philly.

[sicushells, RN]

... I don't really see where's she's coming from. If I made DOUBLE what I made now I still wouldn't make too much considering the nonsense we have to put up with just to TRY to help people reach an optimal state of health.

but I think it's nice of you to try to see the world through some one else's eyes.

[Katnip, RN]

While I disagree with the OP's suggestion, I think name-calling is uncalled for. Please make your replies with the same respect you'd like to be given.

[snuffyRN]

All I can say is "Are you Crazy?" of course they shouldn't lower the wages! If anything they need to raise wages! I worked my a** off to get my degree and have multiple loans to pay off for school, and here is my slacker brother who is a high school graduate only, who never even worked full time until 3 yrs ago (he's 35) he is a delivery guy (drives a little brown truck) for ups and he makes more then I do! Now why should an uneducated delivery person make more then someone with a college degree that helps people in their time of need! There is something wrong with that don't you think!?

[systoly]

Several other posters have mentioned they would find another field of occupation and that is exactly what I did for a year when I relocated due to a family situation and during my initial job hunt found only positions that would pay me $ 5 less an hour. The factory job I took also paid about $ 5 less an hour, but for the same money I'd choose the factory any day. I think the OP did not consider that many seasoned nurses also have experience in other fields of occupation and by the nature of the beast of nursing have developed very high decrees of flexibility and adaptability. I definitely would expect a migration, by mostly seasoned and experienced personnel, away from nursing.

[JomoNurse]

Well, as a nurse, I say that's a horrible idea. But if I were on the corporate side, I just might consider lowering the wages. Most nurses can only get one type of job - and that's nursing. With the huge influx of new grads and all the applicants, I could probably slash wages in half and still have "good" nurses willing to work - because that's all they're qualified to do.

[streptococcus]

Since you work, it may be more appropriate for you to participate in on-line courses in anatomy & physiology, microbiology, or biology. This would alleviate your inability to attend an on campus course. You can also purchase an anatomy book and after self-study, take a CLEP exam for college credit.

I have participated in both forms of education and feel that I learned more though self-study than I did by wasting my time driving to a campus just to listen to an instructor give a lecture designed for her exam.

[caliotter3]

Three of my present or former employers that I know of have lowered their wages. That is all well and good for them, but rent or mortgages still must be paid, so people work for the lower wages.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

Its rather unfortuate...I work with some great aides, and some not so good...and the pay is only 11/hr...which is one of the better wages in the area. However, they are SEVERELY overworked and underpaid...which I understand, as I was a aide before I became a RN. They are my first line workers, that alert me to possible problems. They are paid as low-wage workers, and some nights they do the bare minimum. I believe that if they were paid higher, then they would do better work.

Honestly,

If my employer started to cut my wage without asking me, I would probably be out there looking for a decent job to help support my future wife, and I. I already work two jobs trying to pay off debt, so I do what I can....

[merei]

You talk about the aides where you work, the hospital where I worked, only paid nurses 11 and change an hour. Well, let me qualify that, they paid LPN's w/over 1 year exp 11.45/hour. RN's started at 18 fresh out of school not even licensed yet.

It did make me smile to see someone give some kudos to aides that do a great job. There are alot of them out there who do wonders with the pts and alerting staff to problems.