This was not the Tuesday Top of Mind that I was going to write. And then I saw a report that male nurses make more than female nurses.

Yeah. Women are STILL making less money than men. Even in healthcare. A report from July 11, based on the 2024 Nurse Salary and Work-Life Report from Nurse.com, shows that male nurses make approximately $6,000 more per year than female nurses.

I’ll let that sink in.

Women have been banging on the glass ceiling of the gender pay gap for over 60 years. Well, forever actually, but there was the Equal Pay Act of 1967.

The latest 2022 numbers were that women earn 82% of what men earn.

I’ve heard all the “reasons” men need to make more. The men have families. News flash, so do women. The X job is more dangerous so OF COURSE we have to pay men more. Because they are willing to do the dangerous jobs.

Give me a break!

A bigger news flash you can see from outer space- Healthcare work is dangerous!

Why should a man make more than me because he has an extra appendage? Do I not bleed for the hospital too? On an almost daily basis?

Women don’t negotiate is another reason given. Bitch, women have been negotiating. The point is that men in the C-suite aren’t listening or are gaslighting women into accepting less.

Women take time off to have children. This is true. But what about those of us who don’t have children? Or the ones who have to rush back to work because no structure allows them to take time off for their newborn? Like, I don’t know, guaranteed maternity leave?

Men just need it more for their families. Again, says who?

According to the article, the recommendations for the pay gap are education, discussions, regular audits, and meetings. Also mentioned is promoting career growth for female nurses.

Sigh.

Same verse.

But, Kate, at least it has improved since 2002. Yeah, in 2002, it was 80%. In 22 years the gap has shrunk by 2%.

Oh, boy. I’ll take that in small bills.

Granted, the gender pay gap started at 40% in 1960. 40% in 60 years is tremendous.

But it is not enough.