Would you take a 3 hr pay decrease for better ratios and working conditions?

I'm really curious, would you take a cut in pay in exchange for excellent nurse/patient ratios, ensure adequate staffing, a float nurse to always cover breaks, and a safer healthcare delivery environment?
In a heartbeat....

What is your current ratio and what is the facility you would take the pay cut? I probably would good luck

No. I don't think that is a fair trade. A paycut to do the same job. A paycut to get proper working conditions versus subpar? No thank you.

Why can't I have adequate compensation AND all those things? Million dollar question...

If this is a for-profit facility I would have to ask if management would also be taking a comparable pay cut Or would the sacrifice fall solely on the direct care staff while the Executive Director chuckled as they drive off in their Mercedes?

I think this depends on what state you live in.If im in California or NY (where I am) absolutely I would in a heartbeat.Whats 3$ an hour when youre making 40-50/hrIf im down south, midwest etc where im making 20/25 an hour then thers no way in the world id consider it.

Quote from AnonymousLPNIf this is a for-profit facility I would have to ask if management would also be taking a comparable pay cut Or would the sacrifice fall solely on the direct care staff while the Executive Director chuckled as they drive off in their Mercedes?

My initial instinct is yes, but what's preventing management from slowly inching back to the (sub) standard conditions?

I've been saying this for years. Actually, in my current department, I find the ratios are generally well-balanced (I know, crazy). When I worked in med/surg/tele, they were out of control. I would have absolutely have taken a pay cut there for more reasonable assignments. I just would never trust the hospital to stick to such an agreement. Well, they would really want to, but when things went bad, of course they would cave and raise the ratios again; "Sorry, we called everyone. . .". How about this instead. . . Per patient hourly rate. It would have to be graded according to patient acuity. In my NICU, we generally classify infants into 3 acuity levels. There would probably need to be a fourth to make this work (to cover for the one-on-one patients).Add up the levels of your patients to get your hourly rate:Level one: $12/hrLevel two: $18/hrLevel three: $24/hrLevel four: $36/hrYou get assigned 3 level one infants: $36/hr. You get 2 level ones and one level two: $42/hr. You get two level 3s: $48/hr.If I showed up and I had two level one infants (pretty light assignment); I wouldn't feel guilty. Especially since when they ask me to admit an infant (All infants would be level 3 for at least the first 6 hours since admission); I would be assured that now my hourly rate just went from $24/hr to $48/hr. Fee for service people. Nurses deserve better than being included in the room rate.

It is quite unfortunate that we would have to. It is equally unfortunate that it is an either/or. There once was a time that a facility would pay a nurse $3 more an hour to keep them, especially the nurses who were there for a long time. And not many worried about staffing/meal breaks/ratios.Nurses deserve more than to have to take a pay cut to be able to work in a safe work enviroment, and to take care of patients safely.

Studies clearly show the link between adequate staffing ratios and better patient outcomes. Therefore pay cut for better ratios = pay cut for doing my job at the peak of my ability. Show me any other medical profession where this would be acceptable. So no....I would not accept a pay cut for better ratios and the potential for it even to come into the light as a possibility almost infuriates me. I will be happy to continue giving the hospital the very best of my ability at the same rate or better as I am now, as it goes without saying that the best of my ability will be far more effective when given a reasonable work load. It won't make the job EASIER...it will make my skills, talents and abilities more visible and more effective, not because I am now less burdened but because I have been given optimal work conditions. I still bring the same skill set, knowledge and abilities to the table. I am not less because of fewer patients. If anything I am more.

I much rather get paid less and have a better work environment. I was just talking about this last night with a coworker. My last job was amazing- New equipment, higher quality supplies, more staff, fast turn around with labs and medications from pharmacy - but these things came at a cost. I now get paid significantly more at my current job, but I believe having less stress and enjoying the 40+ hours I spend a week more important than the money. shouldn't have left