can nurses negotiate their salary?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in L&D.

Are nurses with a few years experience able to negotiate their hourly rate or is it a take it or leave it situation?

I'm considering leaving the hospital for a potential opportunity in a private office and when I asked the hourly pay, the ballpark figure they gave me was a little lower than I'd hoped.

She then asked me what figure I'm looking for.

Does this mean it might be open for negotiation?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Are nurses with a few years experience able to negotiate their hourly rate or is it a take it or leave it situation?

I'm considering leaving the hospital for a potential opportunity in a private office and when I asked the hourly pay, the ballpark figure they gave me was a little lower than I'd hoped.

She then asked me what figure I'm looking for.

Does this mean it might be open for negotiation?

To a point.... but mostly the negotiations are "will you take $XX--yes or no?" End of negotiation.....at least IME. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Her comment leads me to think that there may be some room for negotiation ... but be prepared -- office jobs are almost always lower-paying than hospital nursing jobs, because of the more desirable scheduling.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

IME hospitals, especially large entities, have a pay range that's totally based on concrete things (years of experience, certifications, etc) and they don't deviate from that. Smaller private companies and clinics might be willing to negotiate, but probably not more than a couple dollars/hour.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yeah- but it's not much....you definitely won't be getting acute care salaries (at least from what I've seen in the past). You might be able to wiggle a few cents- maybe a buck....but I'd be really surprised if they would go higher. THere's a lot more per capita overhead in a smaller facility/office that isn't part of a network/corporation- and the hours are considered a huge benefit.... if you don't want it, someone else will take it at what they want to pay.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D.

Thanks! That's sort of what I figured....

I'm prepared for a pay cut. But the high end of what she quoted me would mean a 25% pay cut!

So I'm hoping to negotiate for a little more than that....

Which brings up another point - would you take a 25% pay cut for a good job, more relaxed lifestyle, better hours, no weekends, holidays etc?

I haven't been to the office yet to meet everyone so there's still a lot to learn about the job, but it sounds good!

And I calculated that by supplementing the office job by working a couple per diem shifts a month at my current hospital at their per diem rate, I could basically make my current salary.

So as long as I like the people, the job, the benefits etc, I'll probably take it if they offer it, no matter what the pay. But a few more dollars an hour would be nice :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP.

Which brings up another point - would you take a 25% pay cut for a good job, more relaxed lifestyle, better hours, no weekends, holidays etc?

Yes, I would.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

She then asked me what figure I'm looking for.

Does this mean it might be open for negotiation?

Possibly.

Everybody has a range. Sometimes they low-ball you, so if someone does want more, they can come up; even if it's 25-50 cents. And sometimes what they offer is a final offer.

Possible response:

"I'm really excited about the opportunity to come and work here, but it is considerably less than what I earn at my current job. I was hoping that with my education and experience it would be closer to that amount."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Which brings up another point - would you take a 25% pay cut for a good job, more relaxed lifestyle, better hours, no weekends, holidays etc?

:

I already have the good schedule... but ... "YES" .... I would take a significant pay cut for a positive work environment, less stress, etc. A good quality of life is definitely more important to me than a larger paycheck -- particularly if you could narrow the gap fairly easily.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Which brings up another point - would you take a 25% pay cut for a good job, more relaxed lifestyle, better hours, no weekends, holidays etc?

I took a $3.25/hr pay cut to go to a clinic. Not 25% by any means, but still significant when you're a single parent and every penny is accounted for.

It was well worth it to me though. Better for me and my children, no weekends, no holidays, no 12-hour shifts. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

Absolutly!

Go high. Hopefully they will come down to the figure that you were looking for.

The SouthEast is typically pretty stingy with $$$.

Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

I negotiate each and every time. Pay is only one facet.

If you have any serious years experience go after benefits like extra time off each year. I tell them I don't expect to be given the blank 2-weeks of a new hire. 1-2 weeks more vacation benefit adds to your annual income.

Medical coverage, 401K/403B matching, continuing education, seminars... Go for it! You will never get 100% of the things you don't ask for...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment