Can You Ask for More?

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i went on an interview today at a family practice. i will graduate next friday, but our last test is next monday. i faxed a resume over on friday and not 5 minutes passed and i got a phone call for an interview. when i met with her today she said she was just thinking about hiring another nurse, and then she got my resume and was excited to meet me. she knows i'm still in school and said i could work even before i test for nclex if i wanted to.... since there is a 90 day probation period. they have 5 offices and she wants to keep me near my home. she kept asking me if i was interested, and of course i said yes... definitely yes! at the very end i brought up starting pay, and she said she would call me back with an offer. i guess that's how they do it?? she's going to call my references and get back with me. so let's say she does want to hire me, and offers me $15/hr to start... can i negotiate $16 or $17/hr or am i supposed to accept the offer if i want the job? i don't know if i'll get this job, but i guess this is a good questions for other interviews i may go on.

by the way, this is for a registered nurse position in sc and yeah, the office pay is kinda low. starting pay at hospitals are $18.9-$20/hr.

Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Are you familiar with working in a doctor's office? It's a lot different from hospital clinicals. However doctors usually pay a lot less than hospitals so the salary sounds about right. 9-5 is tempting. I don't know what city you are in , but that's about what Columbia pays for new grads in doctors' offices. What worries me is the fact you haven't graduated or taken NCLEX. God forbid you should have to retake it will they hold the job?

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Are you familiar with working in a doctor's office? It's a lot different from hospital clinicals. However doctors usually pay a lot less than hospitals so the salary sounds about right. 9-5 is tempting. I don't know what city you are in , but that's about what Columbia pays for new grads in doctors' offices. What worries me is the fact you haven't graduated or taken NCLEX. God forbid you should have to retake it will they hold the job?

I'm only familiar with what I've been told and what I've seen as a patient. I figured the pay that I mentioned would be about right... I'm just wondering if they offer me something lower than that if it's possible to negotiate. But all the responses have helped me, and if it's reasonable I will accept it (if I get offered the position). She said she would let me start working before I take the NCLEX as a new graduate and wait on me taking the NCLEX... soo I guess?? I definitely want a hospital job, but I'll take any job right now b/c I will need to work. The hours are 830-5 or 530 and 1 hr for lunch. I'm hoping to hear back from her later this week, whether it's a yes or a no. In the meantime I'm going to be sending out more resumes and hoping for more interviews.

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I had a boss who told me I should always negotiate. You should ask, and see how the recruiter reacts. Base your additional responses on her reaction.

To the poster who said instructors said to never mention money in the interview: I think that may be early on. Once you've talked and exchanged a bit, I see nothing wrong with talking money. I don't think it is detrimental --I think it can only benefit the job seeker.

In an economy where the employee holds more of the power --I would bring up money even sooner.

We live in a money-based economy. We need it to survive.

I don't think people should put down nurses needing to make a living or having financial motivations. After all, if you don't take care of business, how can you truly ensure your loved ones and yourself are cared for? We should discuss money --unless we want to be volunteer workers.

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All you can do is ask and if they say no, its no. If they truly like you (and I'm sure they have some interest because you got the interview), the cards will all fall into place. You don't want to wonder what coulda, shoulda, woulda happened if you failed to ask, right?

And I agree, once the interview is done and they start mentioning pay, its ok to talk about it. Definitely do your research beforehand and don't leave it up to the employer to tell you what they THINK starting salary is. You want to walk in there with a dollar amount.

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I was offered the job!!! I can't believe it!!! She said she would wait for me to have my baby and take the NCLEX, just to keep in touch and the job is waiting for me when I'm ready. And yeah, I'm 38 weeks pregnant and graduating around the time the baby is due. It's been crazy. Oh, and I was offered $17/hr!! I'm ecstatic. I just need to graduate and pass the NCLEX now.. no pressure :p

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In an economy where the employee holds more of the power --I would bring up money even sooner.

We live in a money-based economy. We need it to survive.

In case you hadn't noticed, the potential employee doesn't hold much power in today's job market. There are far more job seekers than jobs. If you're not willing to take a position at $x per hour, then there's 5 GNs/RNs who are. I think it's great to negotiate after an offer is made, but if you're going to lead with that, then be prepared to have at least some of your offers go out the door.

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