2 very important questions: salary negotiations and "offer"letter ?

fab4fan · Jan 27, 2003

You could try negotiating, but as a new grad, it'll be a little more difficult...you're not coming to them as a nurse with a lot of experience. Negotiating means that you will also have something valuable in return to offer them to make them feel more agreeable to increasing the $$.

Getting a day shift job right out of school is a huge deal; most places there's a waiting list of people with more seniority whho want days, so take that into consideration.

I don't know; if the pay is good, the bene's are good, and you're getting day shift as a new grad, then I'd probably go with that offer...if you had more exp. I might feel differently.

I am all for advocating for nurses to get as much as they can, but you do have to start somewhere; once you have exp., negotiating might be a little easier. Remeber that you are also being taken in as a new grad, so your employer is also going to be responsible for dong a lot of teaching, helping you develop your skills as a nurse.

Just some things to consider...

Oh, and I am not dissing new grads; we need new blood in the profession.:)

Gromit · Jan 27, 2003

Verbal agreement or not, the dotted line is what really counts. I mean, what are you going to say to them if they decide to withdraw the offer? Nothing was signed.

Be sure to thank them for the chance, but you have considdered another offer at this time.

RED_ALERT37 · Jan 27, 2003

Unless you sign a contract you arent held responsible for the position. One suggestion, if you are in fact worried about "burning a bridge"..... send a thank you note for the consideration but found a job that suited your needs better... just a thought

Gomer · Jan 27, 2003

Negotiate? Negotiate what? You are a new graduate and will need to be taught the skills to become an effective nurse. Go with the hospital you feel the most comfortable with and which can offer you the best trainning. After a year or so, then you can negotiate. But make certain you bring something to the table (certifications, experience, professional memberships) to negotiate with.

scrubs12 · Jan 27, 2003

hello, and thanks for your replies.

i will be sure to send the hospital a "thank you for your consideration" note.

i felt in my gut my sister's suggestion to negotiate for more- benes, whatever- was not straight, even with a nursing shortage, as i'm new, it will be really a give/take situation on both sides. anyways, i'm so HAPPY :) about the day shift, no rotating to nights...i just about jumped up to hug the hr person and was nearly ready to sign anything at that point.

what is this "offer" letter? it seems to come AFTER? the pre-employment physical? is that right?

thanks again, luv this board- after.

colleen10 · Jan 27, 2003

Most offer letters come after you have successfully completed and passed any physicals, exams, etc. for consideration of employment. It is the last thing completed before you are officially an employee.

The offer letter will usually say, Dear so and so, we are pleased to offer you a position as "staff nurse, etc.". Your pay will be.....,

please see the attached info. regarding benefits, tuition assistance, etc. Your first date of work will be....... It may state something about your length of training and if you will be evaluated after a certain period of time like after 3 months of employment or after your training period. It may also state that either of you can end your employment agreement at any time or with two weeks notice, etc.

It may also touch upon confidentiality too.

Gomer · Jan 27, 2003

Which hospital did you decide on? And why?

scrubs12 · Jan 27, 2003

colleen 10- no offer letter, but i did get a letter from the nurse educator/interviewer about the orientation schedule for the month

gomer- i decided on usc- the university hospital, on the tele floor. the other hospital i wanted was a community hospital, in icu. both are about the same size-wise, not too big/small but totally different- community vs teaching/research and both seem to have very good orientations and i liked the managers.

i think both could be ideal, felt safer with starting icu in a cummunity hosp setting, no trauma, known for cardiac but likewise on a tele floor in a teaching/research hospital. but the day shift, close affordable living- my very first own place! in the heart of the city made usc the best choice for me.

ok, now my impression is that its a good choice. my only hesitation was that it's a tenet hospital and the stuff i've read about tenet in general has not been positive. that particular floor seems well staffed, well supplied, clean and modern.

any opinions or experiences to share? thanks, after.

Gomer · Jan 27, 2003

Excellent decision! USC is a good hospital and you should get loads of educational/experience opportunties. Only downside, is the Tenet ownership. But then you only need to stay a year or 2 for the experience and then you can move on and negotiate your heart's desires!!!

scrubs12 · Jan 27, 2003

gomer, thanks for your positive support on usc!

whew, i think i made the right decision.

i'm so excited except the tenet owned thing- hope it won't make me miserable there. i haven't read anything negative/scary about usc being tenet owned and therefore a terrible place as some of the other tenet owned hospitals.... keeping fingers crossed. after.

donmurray · Jan 27, 2003

"A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on." Sam Goldwyn.