negotiating as a new grad NP

[espress099]

Hi All, I need a little advice on how to handle this situation. I'm a new grad FNP (board certified, licensed) and went to a job interview in DC where they offered me 84k per year with very little benefits for full time. That's 15k below the average for that area and they know that because they then asked me to negotiate with them.

I do have RN experience and even a prior career in public health but i feel as a new grad i'm not sure what cards i have to play with and how to handle negotiating.

I'm not sure what to say, even if i ask for more benefits it wont make up for the super low salary for this area (they dont have a 403b or pay for licensing or CME...something else too i cant remember)....I do like the place which is why i'm trying to figure this out...

any advice? thanks so much

[adamRn79, BSN, RN]

Has anyone had success negotiating up? I'm in the same boat as the original poster except my position has decent benefits but the offer was only 85,000 (new grad, 9 years nursing experience) for Lawrence Mass

[Julius Seizure]

Negotiating is hard. You have to be willing to walk away or you will never have the upper hand. Jules A gave a great suggestion for a response: "This sounds like an excellent opportunity and I feel I'd be a good fit for your team but my rate is $100,000 a year so please let me know if something changes in the future."

If they don't call you back with a better offer, you can always call them back and see if the job is still available at the lower salary, but it might not be. Its a risk, but its the only way that I know to actually get a higher offer.