NP pay, does RN experience matter?

[Veigar3]

The more RN experience you have, does that mean you have more negotiating power regarding your starting NP pay? I'm not looking for numbers, but asking if there's a significant difference in starting pay between NPs with no prior RN experience and those that do have RN experience. Also, for those who were prior RNs, how long did you work for before NP school?

I'm asking because I know an 10-year LPN who makes about 26/hour. She just got her RN license, but every place she's applied to said they have to start her off at a new RN grad wage, about 25/hour. She's obviously frustrated because they aren't factoring in her LPN experience. I wanted to know if this situation is seen further up the job ladder.

[Jules A, MSN]

Depends on the employer, but also on the employee and how well you negotiate. People I graduated as an NP with accepted lower pay as new grads because they wanted a job. I said heck no, I've been an ICU nurse for almost 10 years as well as being a new grad NP (with their organization for >5yrs) and now I have more knowledge and experience. I ended up starting $10/hr more than some of my classmates.

Good for you! That some people work for the same or little more than RNs are paid in the same area is insane, imo. Until we act like valued professionals and insist on appropriate compensation we won't be taken seriously as a profession.

[Salter444]

I know it is all employer dependent however an experienced nurse with 10+ years in an acute setting is probably going to be far more prepared to step into the NP old than those with lesser experience. It is night and day in some cases and taking the experience with you will cause you to make higher salary demands.