Do I have grounds to negotiate my price offered?

Published

I'm about to be offered a new job. I will be going from 2 years of Psych Nursing to a Med Surg. Floor. I'm not sure if they're going to include my Psych Nursing experience when they calculate my offer. I have a friend who graduated with me and got a job at this same place at the same floor I'm going to. I know she was offered 27$/hr to start as a new grad. I told them I would like at least 27-28$ just so I didn't price myself out.

My question is...if they come with an offer for 27/hr should I try to ask for more based on my 2 years of Psych Experience? What if they say it's not relavent because it's Psych?

Any other tips on this matter would be extremely helpful. Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi.

Floor nurses' salaries are usually non-negotiable in my experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

You can always try negotiating--after all, the worst they can tell you is No.

However, I recommend against making any "or else" demands (e.g., "I want $30/hr or else I'll walk"). With all the nurses looking for work and willing to take what you're offered, you may find yourself easily replaced.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yeah, I plan on taking the job regardless. I'm just feeling like my two years of RN experience should be acknowledged and if it is not I will want to negotiate. If they say "we considered your 2 years of experience and decided to offer you 29 or 30" I'll just take it and be happy.

I'm wondering whether the argument that two years of psych experience should be included in the calculations for pay.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

yes, its nursing and pt care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Two years of psych nursing will come in extra handy on a med-surg floor - as many as a quarter of our patients can have a mental diagnosis that is being treated concurrently with an acute or chronic medical problem. Your new co-workers will probably really appreciate your experience.

And yes, ask for a wage based on your experience!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Sure, it is experience after all. However, it's not med-surg experience, so don't expect it to get you as much as m/s experience would. But definitely try!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room, Trauma ICU.

In my experience they calculate how long you've been a working nurse, so it should count.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

I went from psych to peds, and my psych experience was taken into consideration.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Great. Thanks for all of the advice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

In my experience, they have always went by "how long" I have been employed as a nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You can always try negotiating--after all, the worst they can tell you is No.
Actually, the worst they can do is rescind the job offer. It happened to me once. I did not make demands of any type (including 'or else') but simply said something along the lines of I was thinking that xxx would be appropriate given blah, blah, blah.

It's the only time I've ever had somebody react so negatively to an attempt at negotiation but people should be aware that such responses do occur.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion