Thoughts on Appropriate Pay for First RN Job Offer

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Hello,

I graduated nursing school a little over a week ago. I sat down for my first interview for an RN position four days after graduation and was offered the position contingent on passing my boards in January. I was told I'd be contacted soon by HR to officially offer me the position with the condition mentioned and that's when I would sit down with HR and discuss pay, etc.

I am wondering what an appropriate pay rate would be. I live in New Mexico and have four years experience in a hospital setting as a CNA. The position in question is in the ER. I just want to mention that I did not apply for his position. I participated in the emergency nursing orientation course offered by the hospital (first time ever having students take that course at least with this facility and in NM) and I did my capstone there all of which made then want to hire me on.

I feel like with all of this, I should be able to ask for maybe a little more than a new grad with no experience. What do you guys think on this?

Thank you for reading this post! I appreciate any and all advice!!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I think with the job market the way it is, you should graciously accept whatever offer they make. Most hospitals have set pay rates they offer based on experience and while there is sometimes a little wiggle room, I doubt a hospital would try to low ball you.

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$22/hr

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

I graduated nursing school a little over a week ago. I sat down for my first interview for an RN position four days after graduation and was offered the position contingent on passing my boards in January. I was told I'd be contacted soon by HR to officially offer me the position with the condition mentioned and that's when I would sit down with HR and discuss pay, etc.

I am wondering what an appropriate pay rate would be. I live in New Mexico and have four years experience in a hospital setting as a CNA. The position in question is in the ER. I just want to mention that I did not apply for his position. I participated in the emergency nursing orientation course offered by the hospital (first time ever having students take that course at least with this facility and in NM) and I did my capstone there all of which made then want to hire me on.

I feel like with all of this, I should be able to ask for maybe a little more than a new grad with no experience. What do you guys think on this?

Thank you for reading this post! I appreciate any and all advice!!

You still technically have no experience. While your capstone was there and you took this "course" gave you the edge to be hired as a new grad to a specialty area......you remain a new grad.
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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Considering the number of new grads with their nose to the glass just praying for an opportunity -ANY opportunity - I think you would be ill advised to attempt negotiation. You have zero leverage and tons of replacements identical to you in experience.

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Specializes in public health.

The pay rate for new grads is pretty standard. It has nothing to do with your years of experience as a CNA or your advanced degree (like a master degree in something else).

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You all make great points. Thank you for commenting. I guess I just want to make sure that they will pay me right and not super low just because I'm new to the field and not sure what it should be. I'm just happy to have gotten a job lined up so quickly and will definitely be happy no matter what they pay me. But I appreciate everyone's input!

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