Help determining target salary

[oluchika]

Hello! I'm a RN thinking about moving to the D.C area and working in postpartum or mother/baby. I've been a nurse for 4 years (1.5 years step down/intermediate care and 2.5 working postpartum). I'm applying to a Medstar Washington Hospital Center position and they are asking for a target salary. I would be moving from GA where I make around $25 base pay working nights. Since I have no clue what RN's make with my background, does anyone have any suggestions or insight into what RN's with 4 years experience make?

[Divatologist, ADN]

Not sure what you should tell them, but I can tell you that new grads earn about $28 per hour base pay. I'm sure you will make more than that with your experience. I would definitely go higher than $30. You have to consider that you are moving to an area where the cost of living is probably double that which you pay in GA (ie...2 BR apt in GA might be $750 or higher. Here it's $1200 or higher). So, the pay will be more, but when you compare it to other places that we consider cheaper it all balances out. Good luck!

[oluchika]

Thanks for the suggestion. I make between $30-$34 currently with night shift diff factored in at my current hospital, so I would definitely need it to be more than that for me to be able to afford to move.

[Divatologist, ADN]

You're welcome. I would say $35 per hour at least. See how it goes from there. Asking for more and being told it's less is better to me than selling yourself short and being given less than the starting pay because you aren't expecting to be paid that much. If they can get away with paying you less, they will. I'll answer your other thread in regards to the area.