The key to gaining a pay increase is to talk to your boss. Many nurses feel under paid but don’t talk to their dentist. Remember: If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Don’t be scared! You’ll pleasantly surprised by the reaction your get following the tried and tested steps below:

1. Arrange a meeting

Ask your dentist for a meeting to discus your performance but don’t mention the main purpose as your boss is more likely to say no there and then. The purpose of the meeting is for you to take control, make you case, and sell your argument.

2. Do your homework

You wouldn't start work on the patient without setting up the surgery before would you? The same rule applies to asking for a pay rise.

Find out what the going rate is for a position in your local area -- look on the Internet, phone up a recruitment agent and determine your actual worth. This will help you to make a strong argument for the figure you are asking for.

3. Get your timing right

If you feel you haven’t been working your hardest it might be worth holding off initially. Set yourself a goal to do the best job you can do. Your Dr will find impossible to say no to pay rise after consistent performance.

Tip. Ask for it on a Friday afternoon because the boss will then have the weekend to worry about whether you are planning to leave the practice or not.

4. Negotiate from a position of power

Be prepared to sell your strengths and evidence of success.

Consider ways you could boost the practices profits. Recommend that you Dr could increase charges in certain procedures, negotiate better rates with technicians; market the proactive to local businesses. You will stun you boss with your business acumen and will think of you much more than just a Nurse. Alan Sugar eat your heart out.

Remember, a pay raise is a business decision, your boss will want to know what he will get from his investment in you.

5. Have a back-up plan

Sometimes if business is slow there might be genuine reasons why your boss cant give you a raise. But, this doesn’t mean you cant ask for other benefits as an alternative.

You could ask for more paid time-off, private medical care, or

You could ask for help towards training and development that will enhance your skills and, ultimately, worth to the practice.

6. Finally, don't burn your bridges

In the unlikely case you that you don’t get what you want you may feel undervalued. Don’t worry, you have already sowed the seed in your dentists head and will make much more likely to say yes time you approach the subject.

Or, there are plenty of other practices out there crying for Nurses. Start applying and going for job interviews. You’ll be amazed by how much dentist will be prepared to pay for a good nurse. And remember, always negotiate on your salary  :D