Two VERY low ball job offers in the last month...(management and leadership!)

Specialties Management

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Ok, a little background. I have my background in management which is what I did before I became a nurse. I now have five years nursing experience as well as my ASN, BSN, and my MSN.

I have been interviewing for jobs in management and leadership as I feel that I am ready to be doing what I have trained to do as well as being paid what I feel I should be. This is apparently not going to be the case.

The first job, for a DON position with a start up homecare company they offered me a whopping $49,800, knowing that my salary requirements were MUCH higher than this.

The second one, an assistant DON position with a staffing agency, they offered $55,000 per year. Again, knowing that my salary requirements were much higher.

It's not as if I don't have the experience that they want. Where are they coming up with these horrendously low numbers? To say that I am insulted is putting it mildly. Hell, even floor staff make more than that.

I know that the market in my area is saturated with ASN's and because of this many employers are paying just above minimum wage, but this doesn't explain where the low-ball numbers come from for an experienced nurse in a leadership position.

Anyone have any possible advice here? Should I just give it up already?

Are you in a city or rural area, OP?

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The diploma mills and schools that award nursing degrees to anyone who has a previous degree in anything from communications to hotel management (BSN express programs) are to blame. The market has been completely saturated with any and everyone who may not have actually WANTED to be nurses, but were sold a line about the "nursing shortage" and the ability to "always have a job." CNN featured a segment about new grads that have not been able to secure their first job in nursing after 2 years. This was unheard of when I entered nursing in the 90's. I have watched the field I enjoy change so much and the whole debacle has created a great deal of resentment in me. Having to work in a field where nurses are now made to give away such hard work and responsibility for so little is a real slap in the face and a setback both professionally and financially. My hope is that people wise up about the fact that there IS NO NURSING SHORTAGE and focus their educational pursuits elsewhere. Sorry if you're offended. It's just the way it is.

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Do you have experience as a DON or ADON? If not why would you expect to make as much as an experienced DON? And please don't tell people they shouldn't accept a jo. For $17 or $18 an hour. That may well be the only job they can get.

This. I have military experience as a senior manager, however that in no way gives me any pull for any sort of nursing management. One managerial position does not qualify you for a managerial position in another field

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

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I totally agree. Well said. OP, I'm not sure where you live but I don't know any new grad that makes "17-18/hr. Please don't be offended that some of us with ADNs make MORE than you. Five years is great experience but not sure if they would quailify you for more money. There are others with way more experience than you making what you were offered.

So my advice, is to take it or leave it.

Dream on.

I have a MSN that I paid good money for that I am not going to let it go to waste. I'll leave it for the ADN nurses to pick up the crumbs.

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Are you in a city or rural area, OP?

City large one with several hospital systems.

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Maybe they aren't well established organizations and they cannot afford to pay more?

Then they shouldn't be hiring if they can't afford to pay market value. Just my $0.02.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

"You'll leave it for the ADN nurses to pick up the crumbs."

Wow, that's pretty harsh, especially since many of our members who frequent these boards are ADN prepared nurses.

Sorry, OP, but with no solid nursing management experience, you're one of many MSN prepared nurses. You may need to accept an offer that doesn't appeal to you in order to get where you want to be.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Unfortunately...the market drives the price and the market is saturated. In nursing.....your previous management experience will give you an advantage over someone else.....it will not count for Salary as experienced NURSING management.

OP, you have applied outside the hospital setting at 2 staffing agencies...one being a start up. Nursing management/administration really don't weigh your salary requirements very highly....to be honest, they just simply don't care.

I am sorry you were insulted by the financial offers by these companies, in a time where the unemployment rates amongst nurses are the highest they have ever been...at least in my memory. If your area is paying new grads (I know you specified ASN grads but ASN/BSN are paid the same) minimum wage it tells me your area is hard it and it stands to reason your management position OUTSIDE of the hospital is

You might have 5 years experience in this profession as a bedside nurse....in nursing that does not translate over to management positions. Your management experience gave you an edge to be offered the position ......but will not apply to salary. Nursing is it's own breed. I am sure they had BSN candidates with more management experience and experience in general but they would have to pay them more.

They saw a "new" nurse with a masters and thought you'd understand that as a new nurse....they were giving you an amazing opportunity and you should be grateful that they offered you a position. I know the way they think......They think You should be grateful that such a new nurse, you, is given this amazing opportunity.....I am sure they feel they were generous. I am curious...what is the median income in your area and is that up or down from previous years?

You might be paid more if you had a position the acute care arena....but not much more as management feels, you only have 5 years experience. Is it fair that they don't consider your previous management experience? I don't know....but I know that, in my 34 years experience at least, in what you are paid it doesn't count....most of the time.

I am sure you paid good money for you MSN and the ADN paid good money for theirs...grant it you paid more over all but that doesn't mean anyone is less valued than another.

OP I wish you the best.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Dream on.

I have a MSN that I paid good money for that I am not going to let it go to waste. I'll leave it for the ADN nurses to pick up the crumbs.

Wow OP...you might want to get a check on that attitude...

ADN nurses to 'pick up the crumbs'? Just...wow...

Seriously, a part of me hopes that someone with a 'measly' ADN gets all these high-paying jobs you are hoping for, just because you made such a disparaging comment about them...

All of us nurses, from CNA's to APN's, have a very important role in patient care, and NONE of us deserve to be condescended to the way you did.

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Ok, I am guessing it was the attitude that got the low ball offer, not the degree. Sometimes when you walk in off the street with a sense of unearned entitlement, your offer may reflect that. Hiring managers take note of that.

Your truly,

MissladyRN- ADN, BSN and currently working on an MSN. But I know where I came from and I know where I am going. I also know who helped me get there and who helps me each and every shift. The letters after your name don't make you a better nurse we have all seen examples of that.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Something we all need to remember.......Allnurses promotes the idea of lively debate. This means we are free to disagree with anyone on any type of subject matter as long as your criticism is constructive and polite. The first priority is to the members that come here because of the flame-free atmosphere we provide. There is a zero-tolerance policy here against personal attacks.

We can all agree to disagree without being disagreeable. We can disagree and remain polite.

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Specializes in LTC.

I have to agree with the comment made earlier by Jeweles26, your attitude needs to be adjusted SweettartRN. Sorry, but no need to sugar coat it.

If you are really as good as you say you are, why not consider the job as long as you have an understanding that if you grow the business you get additional compensation in relationship to its growth. A win for you and the employer.

I have owned a number of businesses and tried to pay people for what they were worth. If they wanted a raise, I told them to make themselves more valuable to the company. Some did, and I gladly paid them more. Others did not and simply wanted a raise for the sake of having one.

While both the hospital and home health company are a business and profit driven, I believe home health is a more revenue driven than the hospital as they cannot rely on funds such as the latter (e.g. tax dollars, donations, grants). Simply if you want more money, go out and generate more revenue for the company. I cannot imagine that if you were to accept the job at the current salary level AND have an agreement to get more compensation for additional revenue growth that the company would not be willing to accept this offer. Otherwise, there is no incentive for you or the company to grow. If that is the case, run as fast as you can away from them as obviously they will not be in business too long.

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