Negotiating pay, previously worked there as a CNA

[RainbowRN2020]

I have a good opportunity to negotiate pay and benefits at a SNF I previously worked at as a CNA, I am now an RN and will have my BSN in about a month. An old coworker I made friends with said they're looking for nurses and that I can directly contact the hiring manager when I start looking for work. I will still need nurse training, but having worked there for over a year I am leaning toward asking for two weeks vacation time, (to use after 90 days), and pay that matches hospitals and clinics in the area to negotiate from as needed. I was a good employee and picked up more shifts than I called out, which I think is a particularly strong bargaining chip in my favor due to the potential to decrease the stress of the person who acts as a hiring manager and scheduler. I also live about an hour away and am considering bringing this up as another reason for why I am negotiating. I am considering offering to start off at a lower wage during training as well, but should I?

About five years ago CNAs made $13 and an LPN made $26 per hour, it is now at $18 for CNAs and about $36 for nurses by Glassdoor's estimates, with hospitals and clinics starting at about $38 per hour, which is what I want to ask for due to my credibility as a good employee. Nurses I worked with as a CNA mostly did not have a BSN, except for a travel nurse who made $52 per hour through her agency at the time. Should I ask for more pay for my previously observed ability to help fill-in and for my long commute?

What do you all think?

[gemswanson90]

Yes, yet be ready for push-back, and have a back-up plan or be ready to walk and apply elsewhere if you feel Very Strongly about the pay.  You could Most Likely find a closer option with equal or greater pay, yet you will have to go through the pain of further interviews, meeting new people, and becoming accustomed to a new place.  There is no harm in requesting politely yet with confidence. 

You could still backpedal and accept their firm offer.  If you don't ask, you'll never know.  My vote is to go for it.