How do I negotiate pay rate for a "per diem" position?

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Specializes in Med-Tele.

I've been working my first hospital job (med-surge) as an RN for over two years now. I want to check out other hospitals and I think the best way is to look into per diem positions while keeping my current position which has benefits. How should I negotiate pay rate when they pop the question about what I expect?

I'm not too pleased with my current employer (hospital). I'm sure conditions can be brutal at any hospital but I have to find out for myself. The hospital I'm in now depends highly on government compensation which is contingent on patient surveys. This is a public hospital; at least half of the patients are uninsured and have an inflated sense of entitlement. I understand that I have to take care of 7 patients at time but what really makes the job difficult is equipment failure. For example, the computer system is antiquated, slow, often crashes, and makes charting a horrendous.

Another disappointing issue (and I don't mind saying) is that I'm only making $25.30 an hour, up from $24.60 when I started two years ago. If I felt I was a sub-standard RN, I would admit it; however, I feel I do a much better job than some of the RN's with more experience. Management finds excuses for my two minimal raises during the reviews; it always something disparaging regarding job performance. I believe as long as I stay, they will always find a reason to hold me back. I think this county hospital is broke. Also, I believe Florida is a low paying state but I think I can do better than what I'm currently paid.

I can't be complacent anymore and have to search other avenues. I'm not privy of how to search other RN opportunities and it's time to look. This site seems like a good way to start.

Thanks in advance for comments and advice.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP.

25 is really low, but where in the country are you? I think maybe going part time in your current position to be able to take the per diem position. Another way to check out other places is to sign up for registry and check out other work environments till you find a another place you can stand. Then do a few per diem shuts there and then apply. Any per diem should give you at least 10 bucks more an hour.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP.

Sorry, usually you can't negotiate pay on per down its usually standard from what I seen.

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As the above poster mentioned, per diem rates are often set. The rates often vary by what shift you work and how many different areas you are qualified to float to, at least in my hospital anyway.

If you work weekend nights in several different areas(med-surg, OR, ICU) your pay will be higher. Weekend hourly wages are at least $10/hr more than during the week. I make $36/hr on weekends, and I live in the southeast.

If you want to try negotiate a different pay rate, ask if the rates can be negotiated, and be prepared to explain what talents you are bringing in to warrant an above-the-standard pay rate.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Per-diem/PRN pay rates cannot be negotiated at my workplace; the hourly dollar amount is set in stone and HR will not budge.

The HR assistant at my place of employment informed me that all PRN nurses receive the same PRN rate of pay. No wage increases for years of experience or specific types of experience will be granted.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

PPs are correct. Hospitals have standardized compensation rates for each job. There is a base rate with (standardized) adjustments for years of experience & (sometimes) degrees/certifications. They cannot deviate without risking claims of discrimination (from people who did not get the higher rate). The only people who can successfully negotiate are management level jobs.

Annual raises in healthcare have averaged 3% since 2008. This stinks, but is not unusual. I recently saw a financial analysis that showed nurses are actually making less now than 10 years ago, after adjustments for inflation. It gets worse... salary compression is a huge problem Staff nurses 'max out' very quickly. If they don't move away from the bedside, their wages become stagnant after ~ 5 years or so.

Sheesh - very depressed now. Should have become a hedge fund manager, right?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

What part of the country do you live in? $25.00 with benefits isn't bad pay. For California it's low for Florida it's good pay!

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
What part of the country do you live in? $25.00 with benefits isn't bad pay. For California it's low for Florida it's good pay!

But only getting a 70 cent raise in 2 years is a little ridiculous. Unless the OP was able to negociate for a higher salary than his peers when he started I agree that his raise is unfair. It really amounts to no more than a cost of living raise

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Specializes in Med-Tele.

For those who asked, I live in the Ft. Lauderdale area; not a big city

but not rural either. I believe $25.30 is under paid for this area.

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Specializes in ED, trauma.
For those who asked, I live in the Ft. Lauderdale area; not a big city

but not rural either. I believe $25.30 is under paid for this area.

In Orlando area, a nurse I know started at $20/hr and after 3 years she was up to a whopping $23/hr. She left this year to do home health. She's doing much better there.

New grads in Orlando make $21/hr starting. Florida is just bad all around honestly. Have you considered moving? Travel nursing perhaps? Maybe getting away from this one hospital would be beneficial.

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