have you ever countered an initial salary offer

[ilmbg]

I was reading- my usual...there was an article about job interviews for nurses. The article mentioned not to take the first offered salary. I was dumbfounded! I have never thought about countering an offer- or maybe, because I usually worked 'premium', meaning their top offered salary with no benefits what-so-ever. Have any of you countered? I am curious- might help me when I return to work, someday! Also, do males counter more than women? Males still earn about 6% more than the same position that a female nurse has.

[ilmbg]

Geez you guys- I must have had my head in a hole- I had no idea that you could negotiate! If I ever get to work again, I will be better informed! Thanks llg, for the tips.

[caliotter3]

My employer of long standing offered me a rate well below what I was previously getting (for years) when I transferred to a different location. I told them what I thought about that and they have not called me with any offers of work. I found another employer that is not paying me what I want, but is paying more than the first employer, so I am somewhat satisfied.

[caliotter3]

As far as negotiating, I never knew that nurses (in home care or otherwise) could negotiate salaries until a supervisor clued me in a few years ago. Of course, if you want to negotiate it always helps to know what the range is for your area. If you have no idea of what you are talking about, then it is harder to know when you are about to get as much as is possible, all things considered.