Maybe it only applies to nurses, but whatever.
I used to work for a smaller community hospital as an operating room nurse. Left that gig, after a whole bunch of drama, and I'm making a lot more for way fewer headaches at a different place with a lot more support from management and my peers. I get to do all sorts of cool and interesting cases, with surgeons that don't throw instruments – it's pretty sweet.
Two weeks ago I got an honest to god cold call from my old job, asking if I'd return – matching my current wage, and adding a large sign-on bonus as well.
I considered it for all of two seconds before informing the recruiter that I'd need $100 an hour minimum, which they actually said they'd consider – I had to clarify that I was trying to get them to take me off their list, and to please do so.
Apparently they didn't get the message, because they emailed me last week. Same sort of message – matching pay, big sign on bonus.
I told them my rates had gone up to $200 an hour, and to get back to me if they could do that.
Haven't heard anything since.
The grass IS greener on the other side, people. If I had stayed there I wouldn't be nearly as experienced as I am now, I wouldn't be making nearly as much as I am now, and I would probably have burned out completely with how they treated me there. Fuck that noise.