Negotiating pay for a new grad

[algebra_demystified]

I got the call today that I'm going to get an offer.

The bad news is they want to base my pay on what I made as an entry level medical worker. I'm working as an agency nurse right now and have pay stubs showing I made $21-30 an hour, not the 9.50 I made working my way through school.

I've only been working as a nurse for about a month and didn't put it on my resume because at the time I'd been working as a nurse for less than a week.

In my previous career I made between 40 and 60K in sales. The lowest pay listed for the position in the ad was about 4100 a month for 40 hour weeks.

If you were in my shoes, how would you approach the negotiations for pay?

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

RN? LVN? Hospital? LTC? City/State?

[Dolce, RN]

I'm surprised that you were able to get work through an agency as a new grad. I don't know of any agency that will employ new grads. I think that you should wait to hear what they offer you. You can get on salary.com to see what would be an average salary for your area and education. You would certainly want to mention to them what you are making in your agency position but know that you may not make as much in a staff position.

[RN1982]

Most places such as hospitals really do not negotiate new grad pay. They usually all have a ladder or step system that they follow. So depending on where you get hired, your base could be 22 bucks an hour plus shift diff and then a 2% raise each year. And at the hospital where I last worked, once you reached two years you got an additional raise about 4%. I seriously do not recommend you working in agency since you just graduated. You don't have enough experience and if something were to happen, it's your license.

[Dolce, RN]

I seriously do not recommend you working in agency since you just graduated. You don't have enough experience and if something were to happen, it's your license.

I agree!

[RNperdiem, RN]

I'm a bit confused. You worked agency? As an RN or an aide or LPN?

New grads are usually hired at a base rate.

You might be able to negotiate a little if you have something to offer that is in demand. Previous LPN experience, fluency in a foreign language etc.

It costs a hospital money to provide all the orientation new grads require.

[smstar1996]

In my area if it is a union job, it is non-negotiable. You get paid per hour for whatever "step" you fall into and it is usually always based on how many years experience. Becuase it is union, meaning there is a contract....the agencey just can't break the contract. As the grad nurse you start at the lowest step and obviously work your way up. The non-union jobs are negotiable, such as nurse manager positions and other administrative positions.