I had an interview yesterday for a PRN position. It went well and I will probably get an offer. However, I will hear from HR, whose main job it is (it seems) to make the most insulting offer possible. I know 'cause I applied at this hospital previously. I won't shock you with the ridiculous amount they previously offered, but this was 3 years ago; it was a buyer's (nurses') market; sign-on bonuses were paid, and nurses had bargaining power. After much negotiating I was able to get $1.50 more than they wanted to pay to match my previous salary.
OK, fast forward to a dreadful recession/depression (I don't think we'll really know what this is until later) and I fully expect to get an offer as low as the one I got in '06, never mind that I had received raises during my employment at this very same hospital. Needless to say, sign-on bonuses are a thing of the past and a PRN position doesn't offer any benefits.
This would be the first offer after applying for several positions and interviewing for two; I cannot afford to be picky for various reasons. But I would also feel like a fool to cave to their taking full advantage of the (economic) situation.
How would you/did you handle getting lowballed? I know, some pay is better than none. But aren't several years of nursing experience worth something?
