Entering your preferred starting salary...what to do?

[katia0203]

Hey guys,

So I'm slotted to graduate this May with a BSN, and I'm going to be applying for hospital jobs in the Twin Cities in MN. The hospital I'm applying to is asking me on their application to enter what my preferred starting salary per hour or per year is. I'm worried I will pick too high or too low...I mean, I know that generally the starting salary is somewhere around $25-30/hr. Do I go on the high end? The low end? Somewhere in the middle? A friend of mine told me to go on the high end, which gives them the opportunity to make a counter offer, which could be higher or lower than what I put.

What do you guys think I should enter?

Thanks! :)

[tokyoROSE, BSN, RN]

I always put down 'negotiable.'

[caliotter3]

I also put down "negotiable" or "open".

[peaches88]

Always just write negotiable. They'll just give you what they start new grads out at anyways. They probably don't care what you want to make, lol!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I always put 'negotiable' or 'open to discussion.' You might unknowingly price yourself out of the job if you enter a wage that is far higher than the new grad starting pay rate that appears on their wage grid.

[katia0203]

Unfortunately the area to enter the salary requires a number :-/

[KTeacher2Nursing]

If it is only asking you to place a number either put in all zeros or try to leave it blank.