Would you like your job more if you were paid more?

[proud nurse]

I was wondering, would any of you be more satisfied with your jobs and the stuff that comes along with it if you were paid more? I feel appreciated by my employer once a year when I get a raise, and that's about it. The rest of the time, I get the impression they feel we should just be satisfied with having steady income. I really do like my job and my unit, but I think I'd be more tolerant of things I was paid about $3.00-$5.00 more an hour. Would getting a $5.00 increase make you less frustrated with high nurse to patient ratios? Or would you feel better about being charge nurse if the pay was more than, what...$1.00 more?

[BigGoose62]

While most on here are saying the money wouldn't help, I'm going to disagree. I think a few more dollars/hr would make some of the crap seem more bearable. But I'm not burnt out yet or anything, and I'm young and eager to save up for a house and start a family. So give it time, and it may all change

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

I just want adequate staffing. I'd almost be willing to take a pay cut for that...

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

My last hospital position paid mad money. ( Float pool in an inner city hospital).

I earned so much ... I could cut down to 10 shifts a month....because I DID NOT WANT TO BE THERE.

[firstinfamily, RN]

I highly recommend, "The Carrot Principle" by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton. This is a book about how managers need to look at ways to show appreciation for their employees. It is written with the business world in mind but it can be applied to any field. It discusses how short-lived the money solution is and how after time it really does not make as much of an impact. We all need money, and we all would most likely like more. But truly being appreciated for what we do and sacrifice for our employers would leave lasting impressions and improve attitude. A positive work environment can go a long way towards job satisfaction. Constantly being over-loaded, working short-staffed, requirements for over time all lead to a more negative work environment. Negative aspects such as this eventually filter down to patient care and patient recovery. If you are wearing your rollar skates every shift to get your work done and still not getting it done, there is something wrong. It is not necessarily a time-management issue, it may be there is so much s--t to do that superman/woman cannot get it done!! No one wants to go home feeling like they did a half -ss job, or so overloaded they are having anxiety attacks every time they go into work!! So what can we do to make the work environment a better place?? Bring it up to your unit manager what your concerns are, if this is falling on deaf ears, then go higher. Help your co-workers, no matter what level of nurse they are. Talk to each other!!!! Money will always help to pay the bills, but your personal feelings about your job will go a lot further. The places who were trying to help nurses feel more empowered always seemed to make the most impact on me. They are out there, it is just a matter of finding them and taking advantage of what they offer to help nurses. Remember, the whole healthcare environment is in flux right now. Things usually get worse before they get better. It will turn around!!! Nursing usually comes out on top with major changes, and, you can be a change agent!!

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I wouldn't "like" my job anymore than I do now, but I might stay a bit longer than I plan to if I made more. My work load (like everyone elses) is becoming unbearable. I don't make dirt here either. I would appreciate an honest thank you, but if you really appreciate me show me the money or give me better benefits.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

There are layers to my dissatisfaction. A year or two ago, more money might have made a difference in how I feel about being a nurse.

Not now. Too many insults from too many people.

Money would not make me dread going to work any less.

[No Stars In My Eyes]

When I was working in LTC Hellcare, I was doing it for the money. Big mistake. An overload of tasks that can't possibly be done even on a quiet day; really GOOD CNA's chewed up and spit out. Job security? Only if you're a total masochist!

But, I thought I was going to be able to afford a few needed things for a change, and then once I'd signed on the dotted line, the rug got pulled out from under me and I was royally S-T-U-C-K with debt ; it was horrible all the way around!

Now, I've been working for an agency for quite a long time and I'm afraid they're going to go belly up before I am ready to throw in the towel and retire. They have purged all benefits, and there has been no raise for YEARS! So, either way, the owner is rolling in it, whether 'it' is a bunch of dough or a pile of poo.

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

When I was an LPN and I worked agency (early-mid 2000's), I'd often go to a certain nursing home that was a kind of a dump. It was not fancy, very basic, they passed meds with something dietary sent up that resembled Hi-C. Most residents were max assist, and the nursing assignments were heavy. Many times the only thing that got me through the shift was reminding myself that I was making good money and only had to be there for 8 hours. In most circumstances, the agency staff gets paid more than the regular staff. But in this place, the CNA's were making $15.00/hr and the LPN's made $25.00/hr. The staff was happy and felt they were well compensated, there was hardly any turnover.

Better pay would not mean it's okay to stick me with 7 patients on noc shift, but it might make me feel appreciated that they know it sucks that we have a high nurse to patient ratio, and perhaps they were working on a way to reduce our patient load. I would like to receive better raises. It's almost sad how excited I get over $1.00/hr raise.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I just got a 8/hour raise by getting a new job. It sure helped a lot

[PMFB-RN, RN]

My willingness to put up with B.S. is directly related to my rate of compensation. I will do a lot of things for $100/hour that I won't do for $20/hour.

[Guest219794]

Plus your tax withholding would go up and you might get bumped into a higher bracket. Which might end up meaning you actually take home less.

Nope. Not how it works.

Regarding the original question: This Saturday will be 12 hours of overtime, at a pretty good rate. I am not sure it will make me any more or less happy while doing the job.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

no, more money wouldnt change anything.the job still sucks.

not sure what the hourly going rate for being a human punching bag is,but i'm sure it's not enough.