Negotiating pay and benefits

TexasPediRN · Sep 16, 2007

As a new grad, you wont be able to negotiate pay at all..sorry. I've never seen or heard of this before. However, different hospitals in the area can pay different wages, so you may be able to choose between hospitals. (although better pay does not always equal a better job)

Benefits really depend on the hospital itself. Best thing to do is to ask before you get the job. I've paid anywhere between 23-46dollars a pay period (every 2 weeks) for benefits.

As for a raise, most places give an annual raise which depends on your performance throughout the year.

Also, if you are graduating in Dec, start looking for jobs now! This way, you get a head start and get to work where you want to, before all of the new grad positions fill up.

Good luck :)

smile123 · Sep 17, 2007

I need some good advice on how to negotiate pay because I will be a recently graduated RN in December. Can I even negotiate pay because I have no experience as a RN?
What about benefits what are the usual ones I can expect a public hospital to offer?
How soon should I expect a raise after my orientation and probation period is up after starting with a hospital?
Any advice would be appreciated!

There is no negotiating salaries for a new RN within a hospital. As the previous poster mentioned, you may see differences between hospitals. If you are working at a hospital, chances are good that the nurses are under a union. They have set wages all based on seniority. As a new grad, you would come in at the beginning step. At some hospitals, they give you a bump in salary at 6 months and then it's on yearly basis.

When are you taking your NCLEX? If you work at a hospital with an interim permit (California does this), they will start you lower and then when you've passed your NCLEX, you will be on the same level as the new grad RN.

Sometimes, recruiters may give you a moving allowance (if you are moving from one state to another) or a starting bonus (although I've seen a retention bonus - you get a lump sum of money if you stay over 6 months or a year). Beware of places that offer high starting bonuses. They may have had a difficult time recruiting new nurses because the working environment is less than ideal (if you catch my drift). Good luck!

lilo19 · Sep 19, 2007

I need some good advice on how to negotiate pay because I will be a recently graduated RN in December. Can I even negotiate pay because I have no experience as a RN?
What about benefits what are the usual ones I can expect a public hospital to offer?
How soon should I expect a raise after my orientation and probation period is up after starting with a hospital?
Any advice would be appreciated!

Well, taking into account you're gonna be a beginner, you'll just have to become a very good negotiator if you want good results. There are some rules when it comes to the negotiation of your salary/benefits.

About the raise, you're going to have to negotiate that too, but when the moment comes. Usually, no chance in the first 6 months.

Infinitee07_RN · Sep 25, 2007

I will be graduating in Dec 07' with a BSN, I feel like if I start looking for a job now w/o passing nclex first i will jinx it? i guess i'm just sooo scared but i also want to have a shot a good position. any advice i'm in the tri-state area ny, nj,ct..thank you.