[focker-male nurse]

need help from experienced RNs on how i might maximize my salary and earning potential when i graduate as RN in May.

Is it negotiable, do you have to take what they offer?

What is the highest youve heard someone start out at?

I need to make as much money as possible as my wife is a stay at home mom so we will be living off my salary only.

Will i be able to afford a decent house?
Any other RNs just started out and live off one income? I would love to her from you. Can you afford a house in the $150,000 to 175,000 range?

thanks,
matt

If anyone has been successful at negotiating a higher pay rate starting out....please let me know...thanks

[jamonit]

move to california or new york. hahaha. no but really, in AZ it's pretty much $24 an hour, not too much room for negotiation. i've just heard that on the coasts they clean up. it would be nice if us newbies could make more. i'll be in the PICU and i'll start at the same wage as my classmates in med/surg. kinda strange. good luck with that though.

[traumaRUs]

At least here in the Heartland, its not negotiable.

[Jules A]

Originally Posted by jamonit

move to california or new york. hahaha. no but really, in AZ it's pretty much $24 an hour, not too much room for negotiation.

Wow, thats a shame especially because I've heard that AZ is one of the really hard hit nursing shortage states. In our area there is quite a bit of difference and I've found that word of mouth from other nurses is the best way to find out who pays the best. Good luck and the other thing that would help is to load up on OT.

[skipaway]

Night shift and overtime will help you max your income.

[cardiacRN2006]

I've never heard of pay being negotiable with a new grad.

The best way to maximize your earnings is by working OT. And for that you need to be good enough to be able to handle it-so that means, do your best in orientation to prove you're a good nurse (not much OT in orientation).

[jamonit]

haha. yeah, well i'm starting at the only and best pediatric hospital in the state, so it's okay i'm not raking in the highest tax bracket income to start. the training will be invaluable and the ccrn, free bsn education, pals and acls will be worth it too. i'm still very much excited. thanks for the concern though.

[wooh]

Originally Posted by jamonit

it would be nice if us newbies could make more. i'll be in the PICU and i'll start at the same wage as my classmates in med/surg. kinda strange.

And why is that strange?

[wtbcrna]

Originally Posted by focker-male nurse

need help from experienced RNs on how i might maximize my salary and earning potential when i graduate as RN in May.

Is it negotiable, do you have to take what they offer?

What is the highest youve heard someone start out at?

I need to make as much money as possible as my wife is a stay at home mom so we will be living off my salary only.

Will i be able to afford a decent house?
Any other RNs just started out and live off one income? I would love to her from you. Can you afford a house in the $150,000 to 175,000 range?

thanks,
matt

If anyone has been successful at negotiating a higher pay rate starting out....please let me know...thanks

Starting salary for new RNs are usually set...But what you can do is make the most out of differentials i.e. Work nights, weekends, and if they have a speciality area that offers a differential you may want to consider that also. The places I have worked night shift diff was anywhere from $1.50-3.00 an hour, weekend diff is usually around $3.00 hr, and speciality diff varies but the last place that I worked that offered it was $1.50 an hour.

[jamonit]

maybe because it's a more acute setting. more difficult to pick up and learn, more training hours until proficient, etc. my opinion. no offense if you are a med/surger.