Pay setting questions.... whats our worth?

[TPA_CW_Shelley]

When the discussion of pay comes up during the interview process, how do we know what we are worth? I checked the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics to see what RNs are getting paid in my area (Tampa/Clearwater/St Pete) and thought it was high. (Not that I'm complaining if it's true! )

It said........

10th percentile = $20.62

25th percentile = $23.74

Hourly median wage = $28.28

75th percentile = $32.74

I go to school and precept in the Sarasota area. The nurse I've been working with there said that I'd be lucky to get $20. Lower than the reported 10th percentile? UGH! I have so many questions!

How do I negotiate a reasonable pay for myself?

Do I accept a lower pay as a new grad, then have it in my contract to get a raise as soon as I get my RN?

Or, have most people been given entry level RN pay?

Does entering a new grad internship program versus an entry level RN position effect pay?

How has this been working for everyone?

Thanks for any and all advice!

-Shelley

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Around my area (northern Virginia), most hospitals have a set rate for new grads, and it's not usually negotiable. I got zero credit for my 5 years of paramedic experience, or my nearly 4 years of experience as a tech at the same hospital. To them, only nursing is nursing, and anything else doesn't count. I got a pretty good raise at my one-year mark, and then about 2 months later I applied for promotion via our clinical ladder, and received that as well. So I've managed to secure quite an increase in pay in the last two years, one just by virtue of surviving my first year as an RN, the other through some amount of effort on my part. It took some work, but it paid off.

I was paid the same rate during my ED nursing fellowship and orientation period as I was when I completed it, and through the first year.

With the current employment climate out there, new grads don't typically have the leverage to negotiate salaries. Many are just thrilled to find work.

[elkpark]

New grads are rarely in a position to "negotiate" salary -- the facility will offer you their standard "new grad" rate, and, if you don't like it, there are plenty of other new grads out there who will be glad to get it so they'll move on to the next candidate. I don't mean that to sound mean -- it's just the reality of the situation.

[prinsessa]

I wouldn't even attempt to negotiate salary. Right now I would probably take 1/2 of what nurses are making in my area. That would be better than $0.

[TPA_CW_Shelley]

HUH. Well that sucks! Good points though. Thanks everyone!