First Job Landed - Need Financial Advice About It

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Hello,

I am in nursing school working as a nurses aide. I will be attaining my ADN within the next 20 days, and taking the NCLEX soon thereafter. I recently had an interview with my manager and I will have a job as a nurse upon passing my NCLEX.

I am 23 years young and live at home with my parents, and will continue to live at home until I finish the goal I've had since before the start of nursing school, practicing anesthesia as a nurse. With that said, I have healthcare benefits until I am age 26. I will not be taking the benefits they would offer me as a full-time employee.

My question is: Can I negotiate a higher starting hourly wage since I am not taking/utilizing their health benefits? Also, do you think I could still take advantage of a 401k if they offer me one?

Any input or help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

Just to clarify, you're currently enrolled in a diploma nursing program and will then bridge to an ADN program? Did that job offer come in writing when it was offered to you?

As a new grad, negotiating a higher hourly wage is pretty much not going to happen. You are never too young or old to start contributing to your 401K especially if your company offers matching. But also be prepared that once you start contributing, your take home pay will be smaller.

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I didn't know if I could possibly debate a stipend or sum in return? I would never negotiate based on my services or personal worth as a new graduate, but I didn't know if I could work something out since I am utilizing less of their personal resources. I mean, depending on the benefits which are not known by me yet, I could save them probably around $1,000 - $5,000 annually.

I am soon to graduate from an ADN program, and will be immediately going into a BSN online while working full-time.

The job offer was given to me. I was given an online code for the job, filled out the application, and apparently HR will be getting back to me.

I am okay receiving a smaller amount of pay. I also intend to put funds into a Roth IRA (if I can max the 401k out in my job title/position) and try to pay for my BSN as I go. I won't have much "play money" now. I have a business/career plans spanning over a decade long. This is how I tend to think: http://www.thedigeratilife.com/images/lump-sum-investing.gif

Thanks for the response!

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Specializes in Home Care.

I think there's a 99.9% probability that the answer will be no.

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Specializes in medsurg, progressive care.

Wouldn't you already be getting a higher pay than the other new grads who DID take their insurance? If you get insurance through your job, you pay a monthly premium for that insurance. My hospital had different options based on varying levels of coverage. Like you, I'm 23 and will remain on my parents' till I am 26, so I didn't take the hospital's insurance and therefore make a bit more money than the other girl who started with me, who is on their insurance.

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Good point rinskins. I don't know how it works yet. I guess I'll have to wait and see what (if anything at all) I will say. I'll try to remember to keep you guys updated.

Thank you!

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If its an union hospital then no, they will not increase your wage bc you didnt take medical benefits. If its a large hospital/organization then I dont think they would change your hourly wage either. However, if its a small company then they might-ive had experience w this but it was a very small company so they were more open to talking about increasing wage because I wasnt taking their medical benefits and hence they didnt have to pay a premium for me...although i really do think thats rate and most employers wont care to pay you any more than any other new grad-regardless of benefit status.

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I understand. The hospital is not a union, and is a smaller hospital. The hospital is owned by a very large organization however who owns many hospitals and medical facilities unfortunately.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.

Definitely start contributing to your retirement, whether they match or not. You can't afford to not start that!

The likelihood of negotiating salary is pretty much nil. There's a glut of new grads in most places.

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Usually the only way to earn extra is if you take NO benefits. No 401k match, no PTO, no insurance, no education stipend... Nothing. Then some places will offer you a bit more. To me it's not worth the little bit more you get.

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I am thinking that they have to offer you benefits every enrollment period regardless of whether you take them, so they can't know for sure you won't enroll for their benefits in the future if your situation changes.

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I'm sure I'm an outlier on this, but I'm wondering; why would you continue to sponge off your parents once you are out of school and, presumably, making a decent living? It's one thing while you're a Starving Student in school, but wouldn't it be about time, at that point, to start functioning as an independent adult?

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