Can I renegotiate after accepting offer?

[Alicia777, MSN, NP]

Hi there,

I started my first NP job this week only to find out that the health insurance plan is absolutely awful and I will essentially need to change all of myself and my families providers as well as pay more than double what I had been paying monthly.

I feel like I was duped. I had no idea that I should have even asked what monthly family coverage would cost.

I would have still taken the job, but I would have negotiated my salary at least a couple dollars higher per hour to even it out.

Is there anything I can do at this point. I feel angry and frustrated. I know I don't have to stay in this position forever but I already took a $2/hr pay cut from my RN job to take it.

Thanks

[schnookimz]

That's ridiculous!!!!! 2 dollars less as an np?!

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Have you signed a contract? If not, than perhaps speaking with HR is a good idea. If you did sign a contract, and feel you were misled, I would seek an employment lawyer ASAP, as $2/hr pay cut from RN to NP and huge increase in medical costs could be detrimental financially long term.

[Alicia777, MSN, NP]

I did unfortunately sign a contract but I feel like I didn't have the full story in regards to the health insurance costs.

It's most likely a lost cause to contact HR and even more so a lawyer but I am going to craft an email the my HR contact because why not? Maybe it's not too late..

And yes, it was quite hard to accept a bit of a pay cut but I had 10+ yrs RN experience and none as an NP, plus I moved from the city to a community hospital which all led to the cut.

[caliotter3]

The employer had no idea that their insurance plan was inferior to what you already had in place. In a way, you can't blame them for that. I would renegotiate to see if changes can be made. If not, then you probably should reconsider for the long haul.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Yikes, how many years did you sign on for? Are you in an "at will" state? You may just have to suck it up until you get the desired experience. Definitely a learning experience.

[Alicia777, MSN, NP]

Yikes, how many years did you sign on for? Are you in an "at will" state? You may just have to suck it up until you get the desired experience. Definitely a learning experience.

I signed the offer, not a contract. Sorry. I'm an employee at will, with no time requirement. Yes, definitely a learning experience, an expensive one..

[BlueDevil, DNP]

My suggestion is to try to negotiate being paid by productivity. as professionals, we should not be negotiating an hourly wage but compensation based on our value.

[Alicia777, MSN, NP]

My suggestion is to try to negotiate being paid by productivity. as professionals, we should not be negotiating an hourly wage but compensation based on our value.

I'm a new grad so not all all "productive" yet plus this is an inpatient role so harder to quantify my productivity.

[elkpark]

Did the employer intentionally withhold information, or lie to you, about the insurance plan, or did you just not ask? If they withheld information or misrepresented the insurance coverage to you, you might be able to make a case for renegotiating. Otherwise, chalk it up to "lesson learned," IMO.

[Alicia777, MSN, NP]

Did the employer intentionally withhold information, or lie to you, about the insurance plan, or did you just not ask? If they withheld information or misrepresented the insurance coverage to you, you might be able to make a case for renegotiating. Otherwise, chalk it up to "lesson learned," IMO.

No they didn't elaborate on the plan (but didn't withhold information either) and I didn't ask what my monthly costs would be.

You're right, now I know for the future this is a question I need to know too, and I guess in the meantime I have to deal.

[elkpark]

Yes, unfortunately, the days when you could just assume that a healthcare employer is going to provide good healthcare coverage and, generally, look out for your best interests, are long gone. You have to do your "due diligence" up front, and ask hard questions about every aspect of the job (including benefits), and be as sure as you can be of what you're getting into. I hope that, once you're in the job, you'll find that there are positive aspects to the job that make up for the insurance and pay situation (money means a lot, but it isn't everything ... :)) Worst case scenario, you'll know better going forward from here. Best wishes!