Reasonable RN Pay in Pediatrician's Office

Specialties Ambulatory

Published

I am currently working Med-Surg in the hospital setting. I live in Florida, and am making around $27 an hour in the hospital.

I interviewed for a job yesterday at a really nice Pediatrician's office. I would be doing mainly immunizations and triage. I really liked the office, but they only offered me $16 an hour! The same rate that they pay LPN's there. The physician said "Our highest paid nurse (LPN's) are paid $16 an hour. I reminded the physician that I was an RN, and asked if that made a difference.

The physician told me to consider it over the weekend, but I am really unsure how to negotiate the pay rate. How do I go about doing this? I want at least $20 an hour.

Any advice?

Thanks!

Specializes in Cardiac, ER, Pediatrics, Corrections.

I make 17.00 an hour in a Peds clinic as an RN. I'm in Iowa

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

RN in a pediatrician's office here! No way in heck I would take that offer. I only have one year experience in an acute care setting and got offered $22.80! No less than $20 per hour, for sure.

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I was in a similar position I few years back. I only asked for two dollars per hour more than offered still taking a nine dollars per hour pay cut. It was non negotiable, but I took it anyway to have a break from the pressure of a dialysis unit, and also shorter working hours. As my experience proved valuable to them I was given an increased workload, and additional responsibilities. Had they even just given me the uniform when three months had expired I might have stayed. However an offer from my previous hospital in another unit proved to be of much greater significance. There was a whole different environment including training and a pay increase. Things turned out well for me in the long term but I'm sorry I didn't negotiate more strongly for a fairer pay rate at the very beginning.

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If the physician does not respect you enough... to pay you what you're worth...

I imagine working there would be a nightmare anyway.

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My response was along the lines of "I'm sorry but given my scope of practice and the responsibilities you have stated for your nurse, I would not be able to accept less than $20/hr". The doctor wanted someone with experience and desire to work very independently with lab results and adjusting plan of care based on results (and protocols in place). The doc was very understanding but I really would be shocked if their office will be able to find someone with the qualifications they want for the money they're offering.

Never start any negotiation with "I'm sorry". Weakens the stance at the get- go.

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$16 per hour, huh? I would have loved to hear that you told him on the spot; "Well, you get what you pay for, and my experience and expertise is not yours for less than $20 an hour". I get where you are coming with this, but the counter would be "You have no experience in pediatrics in an ambulatory clinic", so I don't know how far that would actually go. Finding out what is competitive pay at other places is a good place to start. And while the OP is trying here, I also live in Florida and the cost of living is very different in various parts of the state. So find out what is competitive in your area. And there also should be a difference for PN and RN. Truthfully from the MD's perspective the LPN suits his needs and costs less.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

I've worked the back office at a community clinic giving shots to five year old little screamers and adorable little babes. I now work in a level II trauma facility in critical care.

I stand by my statement. Going from acute care to back office does not take a lot of training.

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Specializes in CMSRN.
Never start any negotiation with "I'm sorry". Weakens the stance at the get- go.

I agree with this normally. My response really wasn't a negotiation though. I knew right away when offered $16/hr there was no way we would get up to $20/hr (or even $18/hr). The "I'm sorry" was more about being sorry that it wouldn't work out.

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Wow, $16 is a insult for an RN. I use to work in a Pediatric Clinic and we had LPN's that was making even more than that. However, I happened to work in a Pediatric Clinic affiliated with a major teaching university so I'm sure that had part to do with it. I'm in Missouri and when I was working in the Peds clinic I was making almost $30.00 an hour. I flat out refuse, flat out refuse to take anything less than $25.00. However, I have nearly 11 years of experience as a RN. Never settle.

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Specializes in NICU/L&D, Hospice.
My response was along the lines of "I'm sorry but given my scope of practice and the responsibilities you have stated for your nurse, I would not be able to accept less than $20/hr". The doctor wanted someone with experience and desire to work very independently with lab results and adjusting plan of care based on results (and protocols in place). The doc was very understanding but I really would be shocked if their office will be able to find someone with the qualifications they want for the money they're offering.

Sounds like he is looking for an RN to be his PA for the pay of an LPN!

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Specializes in CMSRN.
Sounds like he is looking for an RN to be his PA for the pay of an LPN!

Excellent summary of expectations!

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For clinic nursing? Sounds reasonable. Acute care is and should be where the money is.

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