Walk into my first day of training as a clinic RN, supposed to be a colonoscopy nurse. That is what I applied for and was hired for. Boss calls me into her office and informs me that they have an urgent opening in their drug addiction clinic and ask if I would be interested. I say I was willing to shadow and train for a week with the nurse in drug addiction to see if it was a good fit for me. 4 days into training I find that the job is a lot more work, at multiple sites, and that my responsibilities will be expanding significantly due to this program growing. Long story short I find out how much they are paying the nurse who is leaving and why she is leaving. Turns out she loves the place and job but just found a better paying job(she has her master's in nursing, I have a BSN). She was being payed a few more dollars than me. I decide that despite only having a BSN I need to renegotiate my wage for this drug addiction position since its more work. Boss's jaw hits the floor when I tell her I will need an increase in pay for more work. She has been in the same job with the same nurses for 20+ years, this place has little turn over ( I also think she is just out of touch with how intense the job market is right now) . Anyways her jaw hits the floor. She tried to bluff and say that the current nurse in my position is payed my wage. I kindly let her know that I know how much the current drug addiction nurse makes and its more than what she stated. Have a meeting with her on Monday to discuss new position and pay and get it on paper and signed. Worst case scenario they fire me, or I decline their job offer and go back to being the new colonoscopy nurse for the clinic. Gave me a good laugh that they thought I would do a new job with more work and not ask for more money….
Like we are in a nursing shortage you ain't paying me less than what I deserve PERIOD.
#TalkAboutPAY #AskForWhatYouDeserve #nursingshortage