Negotiating Salary & how 2 ask if they'll pay for continuing edu.

UnicornRN · May 5, 2010

Honestly, in this job market I wouldn't 'ask' for any specific pay. I would take what is offered. There are plenty of others out there who would take a job at any pay, so being picky (unless you don't NEED to work right now) is not always the best decision to make. Many companies have cut educational assistance to reduce costs, so you would be lucky if they offer such a benefit at this time, but it's not something you would negotiate anyhow.

bill4745, RN · May 5, 2010

I agree. Take what they offer. Also it's too soon to be asking about paying for further schooling.

nlion87 · May 5, 2010

I would ask..all they could do is say no to your question--you never know until you ask--nothing ventured nothing gained

itsmejuli · May 5, 2010

Have they offered you a job after you complete your internship?

roser13, ASN, RN · May 5, 2010

Not to dash your hopes, but it is unlikely that there is any negotiating room in an MA's job offer. The bigger the facility, the more likely there is a strict pay schedule.

Not only that, but sometimes working for the "best and the largest" in anything is not necessarily a boost to your salary. I worked for a well-known specialty physician practice. Their salaries were consistently under (well under) the local range. Their reasoning? The training you received in their facility would serve you well in your career and they didn't have to pay any more to attract the best and the brightest staff. It worked, too.

Bill E. Rubin · May 5, 2010

The bigger the facility, the more likely there is a strict pay schedule.

I generally agree with the "nothing ventured, nothing gained" philosophy, but the above statement is definitely true, especially for entry-level positions. Where you may have negotiating room is once you have experience, the value of your experience may be negotiable.

hotflashion, BSN, RN · May 5, 2010

Hi! So right now I am a student Medical Assistant/ limited scope xray technician and am about to complete my associates degree in that. Before i do so i will need to complete a 160 hour internship. I have found my site . OBGYN office inside a large well known Kansas City Hospital. I would be working for six different doctors in that office. My ? is once i complete my intern and if they offer me a job, how do i go about negotiating pay. Keep in mind i am a new grad at this point but i am working for multiple physicians, its a specialty practice, and its in one of the best and largest hospitals around KC area . What do you think is fair and reasonable for me to ask?? 14 a hour? 15 a hour? Also since it being a large hospital do you think i would have a good chance for them paying for my continuing education for example lpn school/RN school.? Is that a ? i should ask when we are discussing salary? i mean how do i come out asking about that ? Please give me your input. I appreciate it greatly!!! -Bethany (student MA)

I don't know anything about the career path for Xray technicians, do you know what Xray techs in your area make?

Discussing benefits is appropriate for an interview, not before. Also, a cautionary note: I wouldn't go into the internship assuming you will get hired by the sponsoring company when the internship is finished; things can happen. (Yes, I went into my nursing practicum thinking I would get hired and lo and behold, they canceled their new hire program for everyone except internal candidates.)

While working during the internship and if/when you do interview for a job, do not let them know or even suspect that Xray tech is just a stepping stone on your way to "something greater." You may even like/love Xray technician. At the end of all this education and interning, you will take and pass a test to become certified, is that right?

I'm just going to say right now that I think it is ridiculous to simultaneously keep pay rates a secret but then to ask new hires what they want to be paid.

If you know what Xray techs in your area are getting paid, then you basically already know what your range is. Start at the bottom and based on your assessment of your skills, find reasons why you should be paid above the minimum. That way when you are at the point of discussing compensation, you will be able to tell them why you deserve to paid more. They will have a scale, but where you are on that scale depends on you not them.

Join the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, it's only $30 while you are a student and you can find out pay scale info from them, as well as get a lot of other benefits. It will also look good on your resume.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has oodles of good info, including pay info. Under Subject Areas, go to Pay and Benefits.

You can also take a look at Payscale.com.

SnowStar4 · May 5, 2010

I generally agree with the "nothing ventured, nothing gained" philosophy, but the above statement is definitely true, especially for entry-level positions. Where you may have negotiating room is once you have experience, the value of your experience may be negotiable.

I agree. I have negotiated pay, bonuses, relocation quite successfully- when I had the experience to make them really want me!

Trauma Columnist · May 5, 2010

I would take what's offered and then after you have been there a year or so (and have proved your worth), then ask about continuing education benefits.

CranberryMuffin · May 5, 2010

I had the same question about asking about educational benefits. I'm a new grad interviewing for a position where they are asking for a 3 year commitment - and contract. I would normally hold off on asking about tuition reimbursement (and I won't even ask about salary - I'll just take what's offered), as I also don't intend on going back to school right away, but I can definitely see myself wanting to start my next educational venture in that time frame. Is it a bad idea to ask about educational benefits during the interview?

Also, does 3 years seem like a long commitment, or is that becoming more of a standard in this economy?

aura_of_laura · May 5, 2010

During the interview, you should ask about 401k status, vacation and sick time compensation, the method of scheduling, staffing ratios and/or duties, and education benefits. Most interviewers will ask if you have questions about the facility, and those are all important features. They will make you look like an experienced employee. Don't expect to be able to negotiate, but certainly inform yourself!

The time to ask about salary is when the offer is made. Bigger facilities often have a chart and will take your education and experience into account. You look like a sap when you accept an offer without even clarifying what you'll be earning!