Need negotiating advice!

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Aug 19, 2015

Question is that will you be using your certifications? If you think of a BSN with certifications making around 50 cents more an hour than those who don't hold degree/certifications then I am not sure it is a negotiating point.

I would, however, negotiate a differential if you are taking the second offer and you will be called for your in house patients. And for the weekends that you will be rounding (and most likely on call).

Best wishes!

SwimStudent · Aug 19, 2015

The 2nd deal is slightly better when calculated out. However both deals are good. Here's what I did to calculate:

Assumptions are made that both jobs are 40 hours a week. The 2nd job in addition adds 16 hours a month (assuming those two weekend days a month are 8 hours a day). Dividing this by 4 weeks a month adds 4 hours a week to the second job. So the Second job actually totals 44 hours a week.

Now finding hourly wage from salary:

1st job: $95,000 divided by 52 weeks in a year, divided by 40 hours a week = $45.67 an hour

2nd job: $110,000 divided by 52 weeks in a year, divided by 44 hours a week = $48.08 an hour

So it's pretty close. Things to consider the first job you won't have to work weekends. If that's important for you not to do or you have children (childcare), that may work in your favor. The second job you're seeing a little fewer patients so it's a little less stressful, as well you may only have to actually work just a few hours on the weekends (that's a good deal). This is assuming both jobs have near the same level of complexity. The certifications may not get you a bigger salary, but still make you a good candidate. Use them to negotiate for things like a parking space or maybe a little more vacation time! Sometimes you have to think outside the salary box!

Let us know what you do! I'll be negotiating myself next month (First NP Job too)! I'm glad we're sticking up for ourselves and I hope post like these continue =)

PG2018 · Aug 19, 2015

You'll be talking with physicians. I don't think the weekend ACLS and related family of certs matter. It could be that you'll have to have that to have hospital privileges anyway. Presently, we can all attest that ACLS is made for dummies. There's nothing difficult or even decisive about it. Fifteen years ago it was more complex. I'll also tell you, 20 patients is not time consuming particularly outpatient anything. It's not as if you'll be with them for more than 15 minutes in general.

I think you should do what will make you happy and comfy.

Jules A, MSN · Aug 19, 2015

Just personally I happen to prefer inpatient and think it looks more impressive on a resume, if that matters at all for future negotiations. Have you gotten face time with the physicians you will be working with? To me that has been key to adding to the negotiation process. If a Doc wants you its almost a sure thing and your value to admin and HR will increase.

What I would calculate is the oncall time if any as well as consider the weekend portion. I love working weekends but require a premium. My guess is that offer is somewhat low so I would attempt to negotiate upwards however my advice as PsychGuy mentioned is you will be dealing with physicians and they could give a rip about any thing nursey so it is in your best interest to distance yourself and remember you are now medical staff not nursing. Play up your oncology experience but drop mentioning any of the things nurses do that physicians would never do as it virtually useless to you now.

I'm headed to rounds but will write more later. This is exciting it sounds like you have two nice prospects.

Jules A, MSN · Aug 19, 2015

Did I read correctly and you aren't graduating until next June? If thats the case I wouldn't spend too much time on the actual nuts and bolts of offers right now because you won't get a contract and anything said is only hearsay until the pen hits the paper.

What I would absolutely do is get clinical placement at both sites so you can check them out and show them how brilliant you are. Knowing the key players, exactly who is in power and how they roll will be invaluable. They are the ones you need to get close with and start analyzing. Find other NPs and get in their circle so you can ask the blunt questions about salary expectations. Start doing recon now, the actual schedule, term and money could vary dramatically over the next 10 months so while good to know as a starting point I wouldn't get too jazzed up over the fine details right now.

RNLady115 · Aug 19, 2015

Hello all!
I know this is very redundant and yes I have scoured the site for negotiation tips as well. My dilemma is this, I will be graduating in June from an FNP program. I have 2 offers waiting already.
The first offer: 95k, medical/dental/vision/life for self and family, 2500 CME, no weekends, no holidays, no call...clinic job seeing 15-20 patients per day.
Second offer: 110k, 1 weekend a month rounding inpatient with physicians, same benefits, only 10-15 patients per day.
I am liking the second offer, however I would like to negotiate more as this job is within my RN specialty of oncology (5 years experience at a large MAGNET specialty hospital by graduation). I am also have an OCN certification, ACLS, PALS, and chemotherapy/biotherapy certification. Can I use this in my negotiations? How much should I negotiate for with my certifications?

May I ask in what area of the U.S. you are located?

Alicia777, MSN, NP · Aug 20, 2015

Good for you! I like the second offer better. Having both inpatient and outpatient experience will make you a very strong NP with ability to work anywhere..

As for negotiating because of your credentials, probably won't matter. I bet that's part of the reason they like you already. Still, always ask for more than offer because most likely there is wiggle room for you.

athomas2244 · Aug 20, 2015

Thanks everyone for the insight! I was leaning towards inpatient myself, because I dread a 5 day M-F job....but I also dread still working weekends (even though it's only 1 per month). The reason I was asking to include my credentials in my negotiations is because the second offer is for an oncology outpatient clinic, and I may have to do certain procedures (like initiate research protocol chemotherapy). I have actually set up clinical placements at these 2 clinics as well, the first clinical to start 8/31, and the second to start 10/26. Both require me to work under a physician but they both seem willing and excited to teach!

Barnstormin' PMHNP · Aug 20, 2015

It's great that you will get the chance to have clinical at both sites. I'll be willing to bet that after spending a semester at each location you will have no difficulty in choosing which offer to take. I wouldn't sign anything until you are close to graduation as you don't know what may come up that might change your outlook.

I graduate in the spring as well and now have 2 offers but I won't be settling until I have fully explored and interviewed in my area.

carachel2 · Aug 21, 2015

I'll also tell you, 20 patients is not time consuming particularly outpatient anything. It's not as if you'll be with them for more than 15 minutes in general.

I just find this sad. I would never go back to a provider who only spent 15 minutes with me. I spend 15 minutes with my sore throat/URI/UTI patients. I spend 30 minutes with my chronic disease patients and physicals.

athomas2244 · Aug 26, 2015

RNLady115,

Sorry I forgot to mention that I am in Houston, TX