First Real Job Offer

[Anonrn670]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum and really would like some input on my current situation. Due to privacy, I am writing anon. This is my first real job offer. I graduated in 2012 with my BSN and currently working part time at a medical practice. I have about a year and change experience. However I got a job offer at a big organization. I was offered the job on the spot after rounds of interview. I accepted because I really would like to work somewhere new and fresh than my current job. And what's great is that this is my dream job!!

When discussing salary upon offering the job, I was offered $10,000 less than what I was expecting. This is my first real gig and without thinking and me being excited I accepted, without even attempting to renegotiate. However, there will be a raise after 3-6 months. Also the benefits package is great, much better than what I have now and a family member also works in the same organization but different unit and has same benefits package as I will have.

I am waiting to receive the official offer letter and paperwork in the mail in the next few weeks. Now my question is, is there a way I can somehow renegotiate or just simply talk to the recruiter about the low salary? Is it bad to call her up to talk about? Should I email her my concerns? What's the right way to do this or is it too late? My current hourly rate is a few dollars above the new job rate. I don't know what to do! This is my first time experiencing this and I just want to go about this process in a good way. Any positive input would be awesome. Thank you.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Where did your expected salary come from? Is it within market rate for your experience level and your geographical area or is it just what you would like to earn? You are very vague in your posting. Generally speaking, if you have no experience in the area of the new job you have no room to negotiate. They will likely take the next candidate in line, who may be happy to do it for the agreed pay scale. Since you accepted the job already trying to negotiate now will be pretty bait and switch. I have also learned in nursing that negotiation of salary and benefits is strangely met with incredulity many times. I have found there is a take it or leave it culture, at least in the less experienced realm. Proceed with caution.

[Anonrn670]

Yes it is within market rate for geographical location, if not, less. The new job is very similar to what I do now, but does have a little more responsibility and there is going to be a lot of teaching and learning involved by the staff. So I take it as a no, there is no way to somehow renegotiate. Thank you for your input.

[vanessaem, BSN, RN]

I have also learned in nursing that negotiation of salary and benefits is strangely met with incredulity many times. I have found there is a take it or leave it culture, at least in the less experienced realm. Proceed with caution.

Many women, particularly, are all too willing to accept this fact and that's one of the reasons why we're paid less than men. If you have the years of experience and proven production and work accomplishments, there should be no reason why someone shouldn't negotiate a raise. I find very few employers, in and out of the nursing field, these days are readily offering raises anymore. You pretty much have to to take the initiative and go to them and ask for it. The worse they can tell you is no but it doesn't hurt to ask.

However, being that the OP does not have much experience, there's probably not much room, if any, to negotiate salary. The company might have very well low-balled you or the pay scale is generally based on experience. The time to negotiate salary was at the time of the interview when the topic was discussed. If you go back and talk about it now, you will just seem flaky and that you're not serious about the position. If you agreed to it, then you'll have to take it for the reasons I just stated and as not.done.yet mentioned, there will always be someone else who will gladly take the salary they offered you. It doesn't seem all bad though. You said the benefits are great and they'll be a raise after 3-6 months. That sounds like a good deal to me and something many places aren't offering.

[Caffeine_IV]

Since you get a raise in 3-6 months, I would let that pass. For future times, definitely negotiate at the time of offer.