Student Nurse negotiating on pay after graduation.

[V4LGBO]

I am a student nurse at a hospital in Tennessee. My pay right now is $10 an hour. I met some new grads during orientation and they said their starting pay is $18.50. Neither one of them were student nurses during nursing school. I want to know if anyone has any experience or information on negotiating after graduating assuming one will stay on the unit they worked while in school or even transferring to another unit in the same hospital.

Do you think it would be acceptable to negotiate with the nurse manager and/or HR?

I would be a new grad but I would at least have the floor experience on the unit. The nurse manager told me they would want us student nurses to come on as a nurse once we graduate.

(In this situation) Would it be a good idea to at least explore and ask when the time comes or take the new grad pay? I would want to negotiate for $20.00 an hour but I would agree to $19.50. I am not aware of their benefits so that and the $18.50 pay may balance out. Thank you for reading and any opinions given.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Well, in my area you don't really get to negotiate pay. All new grads start out at the same rate. They calculate initial hiring wage based on experience as an RN (LPN doesn't appear to count) in my area.

[RegularNurse]

You should consider moving if it fits in your life and goals.

Barely making 40k a year to do literally the same job as people who start at 80k plus in many parts of the country.

Best of luck going forward

[CU_hopeful]

I also work at a hospital in Tennessee and I have been here for 9.5 years. When I graduate, I know that my pay will be the exact same as the other new grads. Really I sort of think it should be that way though. Having experience is one thing but none of us will be coming in with RN, critical thinking, I know ALL my $h*t experience. While both jobs are in the same field and both positions work together, you and I can't yet say we have "experience" being a nurse. I understand what you're saying though. All in all, the answer is no. Take what you get. Also, if this said hospital happens to be one of the biggest ones in Middle Tennessee, other hospitals pay more.

[sparkplug76]

Definitely not acceptable in your position as a "New Grad". Im familiar with your area and the pay in those hospitals. What is most important to consider at this stage is how the hospital you are interested in applying to staff nurses and ancillary staff. Then how you can gain specialized experience working as an RN. Teaching hospitals pay less, but in your area, that exposes you to excellent learning and networking opportunities. Others pay more, but staff differently and you may be a brand new nurse given a charge position, I shouldn't have to note how dangerous that scenerio is for both patients and your nursing license.

Nursing is not about the money. Your job as a new graduate is to continue to learn and with time and experience you will earn what you are worth.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

You should consider moving if it fits in your life and goals.

Barely making 40k a year to do literally the same job as people who start at 80k plus in many parts of the country.

Best of luck going forward

New nurses making 80K per year also live in areas with a much higher cost of living than Knoxville. You can't just move somewhere else with the intent of making more money without paying more to live there.

Let's say you live in Knoxville and make $18.50/hr and want to buy a house. Consider this house in Knoxville: 16 Coventry Park Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37931 - realtor.com®

4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2500 square feet which is listed for 250K with annual property taxes of $1200.

Now, lets say you live in Northern NJ where you might start out making $32/hr, and you want to buy a comparable house. Let's look at this one: http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/66-Glendale-Ave_Livingston_NJ_07039_M66410-18592

a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2000 square foot house, listed at $540K with annual property taxes of $12,000.

Even with 20% down on both homes, the monthly payment to live in NJ is about $3,500 per month. Living in the house in Knoxville will cost about $1,300 monthly. So while you're hourly wage is only about 60% of what you'd make in NJ, your cost of living would be 250% higher.

[LessValuableNinja]

Wow. Very low. However, the new grad rate is usually set in stone if it is a residency.

The stone is variable. It depends on the organization.

[Calalilynurse]

New nurses making 80K per year also live in areas with a much higher cost of living than Knoxville. You can't just move somewhere else with the intent of making more money without paying more to live there.

Let's say you live in Knoxville and make $18.50/hr and want to buy a house. Consider this house in Knoxville: 16 Coventry Park Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37931 - realtor.com®

4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2500 square feet which is listed for 250K with annual property taxes of $1200.

Now, lets say you live in Northern NJ where you might start out making $32/hr, and you want to buy a comparable house. Let's look at this one: 66 Glendale Ave, Livingston, NJ

[FutureMSN]

Nurses tell each other to not negotiate and then wonder why they're paid so low smh. OP, you're only wanting $1.50 more. Ask for it. The worst they can say is no. But at $18.50/hr, I'd move to a state that pays $10 more on average to start. Higher cost of living, true, but just plan to keep your expenses down. It can be done. Wages tend to only increase around 5% from what your last wage was, when you're moving around. This is how people get stuck in certain financial tracks.

If you're not set on living where you are, then go where they pay more. You can get a roommate if you want which will help you save. You can also come home later if you change your mind.

[TNRN1990]

I'm in Tennessee and my pay is much higher. I don't feel what your hospital is offering is the norm.

[johsonmichelle]

I'm in Tennessee and my pay is much higher. I don't feel what your hospital is offering is the norm.

I agree that wage looks really low unless cost of living is exceptionally low in Tennessee. I know some experienced and highly skilled patient care technicians or medical assistants in my area can make that much.

[TNRN1990]

I agree that wage looks really low unless cost of living is exceptionally low in Tennessee. I know some experienced and highly skilled patient care technicians or medical assistants in my area can make that much.

I actually made $19/hr as a LPN in my area. Cost of living is low here but I feel that is exceptionally low pay for a RN.