Negotiating salary at a Gov job

[MandaRN94]

I had a quick question -I had an interview for a job with the Public health Dept. In the job listing it had a salary range. Has anyone had luck negotiating a salary above the listed range. I just wasn't sure if that was possible since it was a Gov job. Anyone had experience getting a salary higher than a posted range?

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

What are the reasons that you deserve more than the listed rate?

[MandaRN94]

The job is a STD educator/investigator. The min req was a CA RN and 2 yrs exp with communicable diseases. I have a BSN , PHN cert, have 17 yrs nursing exp and 7 of those in community health -doing exactly the same job.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

You can try, but in this economy, it is rare to be able to negotiate salary for regular nursing job, especially in a union state. But even more so in a government job.

Also, remember that with elections next year, the government is/will be under increased scrutiny to cut costs. Hiring someone above the max would be difficult and questioned heavily.