[renerian]

THanks Jnette and Emerald. I am going to hit the sack early, enjoy the AC, take a bubble bath and think about. I feel bad for all the people without power. WE missed the area affected by about a 30 minute drive.

renerian

[Gardengal]

Renerian,

Congratulations on the job offer! Now for the tough part, deciding if you want their offer. The offer strikes me as low for 2 reasons:

1. Didn't you say in this post somewhere that you had previously supervised 150 people? This wage sounds like an entry management rate and I would question that.

2. If the staff are making $28.29, and you would make 30.25, that would only be a difference of around $150 per pay, not really worth it, unless this is the norm pay for management in your area.

One thing that has happened in an effort to keep experienced bedside nurses at the bedside is to raise the pay. Before they did that any nurse who wanted the higher pay would leave the bedside and seek other positions....one of the reasons we have dissatisfied managers and not qualified managers..... It has caused us a quandary. My first management job I actually took a pay cut-went from one place with good Bedside pay to a lower pay scale for an entry level management position. I looked at it as my proving ground and a start. I do not regret the decision to take that job. This was in 1990. Now, when I look at what I would make in both jobs...I make 14,000 more in a management position now than I would make in a staff job in th esame market. So long term monetary gain was there for short term inequity.

When I look at the wage difference for you though, it seems to me there is a significan wage compression. I would look at mid point of wage scale for the manager role and staff role. I am sure there is overlap, and just because you are an experience RN...they may want more track record for a manager to give you a higher wage.

One of the biggest issues is salary vs hourly. The staff nurses getpaid extra for additional time, I imagine you will be salary. You would be making an equivalent wage to that experienced nurse working 5 extra hours...only you can make that decision.

If youwant to take this and don't want to question the wage some questions you could ask are...would I be paid for hours worked over 40 hours/week? Typically those of us in management work closer to an average of 50 than 40hour/week (and thus even when we supposedly make more per hour really don't.) That would take it to an hourly wage less than the senior staff. How senior is your staff?
The other questions I would ask are, will you pay to send me to a national conference? Is there more vacation time? When will I be eligible for an increase? Could this happen at 6 months rather than a year?

It really depends on what you want. If you were committed enough to go through so many interviews it sounds that you are really committed to the change..Before you address the wage issue clearly define to yourself what would make it worth it, and stick to your guns. It's not a problem to take a job at that wage if you have a reason and are aware. It's another thing to take the job unhappy upfront about the wage because you will always be unhappy about the wage, and it will make bad days seem worse because you'll say to yourself..I'm worth more than this...they don't pay me enough to deal with this......

Good Luck in your decision.

[LauraLou]

Congrats on the job!!!

Are you going to make a counter offer? Many times the salary they first offer is low and if you come back with a higher number, they will often meet you in the middle.

I took a job once at the salary they offered and after I had worked there for awhile, the HR person said "I can't believe you didn't ask for more money when you took this job." That really made me rethink how I approach job offers.

Just a thought!

[renerian]

Thanks Garden and Laura. Yes I am going to ask for a higher wage as I think they are lowballing me LOL. I do want the job and will take it if they tell me that is there drop dead number.Thanks for posting and giving me your thoughts.

I am calling her shortly.


renerian

[Tweety]

Renerian, congrats on the job offer. That's a lot of headaches. I can't comment on the salary because I don't know the area. That's about the going rate for a new manager down here. But you're up there and have experience. Ask for what you think you're worth.

Good luck!

[llg]

Congratulations on the job offer! I think that Gardengal raised some excellent points and gave some good advice.

In the end, it comes down to what your heart tells you. If the job is going to make you happy, then go for it. Their final offer may not match your ideal, but if the job will make you happy, then you should do it. If the job will not make you happy, then don't do it -- regardless of the pay.

There is always an overlap between the highest level of staff nurse pay and the lower levels of managment. That is to be expected. However, it has gotten worse recently because of all the bonuses etc. that staff nurses have gotten recently that managers and educators have not gotten. My hospital is currently in that situation.

Find out what the pay scale is for both positions (staff and manager) and see if it is reasonable. If it is reasonable overall, I would be willing to tolerate a little inequity if I really wanted the job. 2 years ago, I took a new job with my hospital that most people would consider a promotion. However, I offered to take it with no pay increase because I really wanted to do that particular job. I have no regrets.

I hope it works out for you,
llg

[renerian]

Thanks 3rd shift guy and llg! I negotiated a higher pay rate. I start the 2nd! I will work on the floor for 8 weeks to learn the ropes/equipment which is fine with me.

I am taking a week off between jobs and may go see my brother in California for a few days.

renerian

[Gardengal]

Renerian,
Congratulations in your new position. I hope that you remain happy with your choice and change.
Gardengal

[renerian]

Thanks Garden, I do too.

renerian

[Tweety]

Woot!!!! Congrats and good luck!