New Nurse-go thru a Recruiter or Direct Employer??

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Jul 5, 2005

What is the difference?
I'm so disappointed with the wages here in lower Alabama. You'd never guess there was a nursing shortage when all they are offering is around 15-16$/hr for an entry level nurse.
I am getting divorced and I have a new baby and I cannot live on that. PLEASE can someone advise me where to go or who to go thru to get a better salary? I can move to Florida if I have to, but I'm getting desperate here.
Any advice would be appreciated!

I hated to see your post go by the way side without anyone answering so I thought I'd give it a bump up! :)

Here in So. CA new nurses start at $25/hr but the cost of living is much more too. I've read here that FL doesn't have the best nursing salaries. Maybe someone from FL could post more about it. Who is going to watch your baby while you go to work? Do you have grandparents available who can do it for free so that childcare expenses won't take up all your income?

Good luck to you!

Meerkat · Jul 5, 2005

I hated to see your post go by the way side without anyone answering so I thought I'd give it a bump up! :)
Here in So. CA new nurses start at $25/hr but the cost of living is much more too. I've read here that FL doesn't have the best nursing salaries. Maybe someone from FL could post more about it. Who is going to watch your baby while you go to work? Do you have grandparents available who can do it for free so that childcare expenses won't take up all your income?
Good luck to you!

thank you!!!

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Jul 5, 2005

Being in FLorida I can agree its not much better than there. It is changing however. I work as a travel/agency nurse so I can only tell you what I hear. Generally new grads are getting in the $19-20 range depending on location- ie more hospitals in the area = better offers. With all the talk of 11 million more people being in Florida anywhere from 10-25 yrs from now the shortage is really going to get acute. Another thing angencies have the most opening in critical care and emergency.

Rj

Dayray, RN · Jul 5, 2005

You could try a recruiter but I'm not sure that would help. If you do try one just make sure they are'nt going to charge you. most hospitals low ball you on the first offer. Never take what they offer you the first time. After an interview they will take you inot a room and say we are offering $XX as starting wages. Tell them (nicely) I'm sorry I can't live on that. They most likely will ask what you want. To which you respond I was sure you would offer at least $XX. They will act like you are crazy but say they will see what they can do. Then they will call you and offer you a littel more.

I turned down 4 offers from my current employer before I accepted. I knew I was going to take the job (and they did too) I just wanted more money. Just keep being nice and say no. When you finaly hit the last offer they will stop calling you and all you do is call them back and say you have reconsidered and set your date for orientaion.

BadBird, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2005

I think a recruiter will want you to sign a contract obligating you to a certain term or you will have to payback some money. I belive you will be better off just hiring on with a employer of your choice. Once you have some experience (1 yr.) you could work agency and make more money. Good luck.

helpinghands, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2005

I'm a new grad in SE FL and my pay is 17.50 hr, i get an extra $3 on weekends. Considering the average home here costs over $300,000 that's not the greatest. But I love the hospital I work at, and I'm getting great experience and they're training me for critical care. Money isn't everything, but bills still have to get paid! I'll probably relocate to another state after I get some experience. good luck, your pay will only go up from this point!

bbcewalters, NP · Jul 6, 2005

You could try a recruiter but I'm not sure that would help. If you do try one just make sure they are'nt going to charge you. most hospitals low ball you on the first offer. Never take what they offer you the first time. After an interview they will take you inot a room and say we are offering $XX as starting wages. Tell them (nicely) I'm sorry I can't live on that. They most likely will ask what you want. To which you respond I was sure you would offer at least $XX. They will act like you are crazy but say they will see what they can do. Then they will call you and offer you a littel more.
I turned down 4 offers from my current employer before I accepted. I knew I was going to take the job (and they did too) I just wanted more money. Just keep being nice and say no. When you finaly hit the last offer they will stop calling you and all you do is call them back and say you have reconsidered and set your date for orientaion.

does that work for a new grad looking for their first position. or only after experience. All of the places I have looked seem to have a set rate for new grads...

am I missing out on an opportunity.

FuturenurseCA&O · Jul 6, 2005

does that work for a new grad looking for their first position. or only after experience. All of the places I have looked seem to have a set rate for new grads...
am I missing out on an opportunity.

I'm very interested in this thread so I thought I would "BUMP!"

~D