Relocation benefits info

[KathyRN26]

Just curious if anyone in the Portland, Oregon area has any info on relocation benefits at the major hospitals. How do you negotiate for it?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Those types of benefits are usually only available for hard-to-fill positions or in undesirable locations. Is there a shortage in Portland right now?

[KathyRN26]

Well an experienced ICU nurse is hard to come by. And many hospitals are offering relocation. One in particular is not.... Just wondering why that is and how to negotiate it

[llg, PhD, RN]

I don't know the hospitals in Portland -- so take this with a grain of salt -- but.

Relocation benefits are rare for staff nurse positions. In general, hospitals only offer it if they are desperate. The hospital that is not offering it might not be as desperate as the others. (i.e. It is actually the best place to work and doesn't need to offer extraordinary incentives to lure people there.) Could that be the reason?

[Wuzzie]

And they are heavily taxed.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Do you mean a sign-on bonus, or actual relocation expenses?

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Well an experienced ICU nurse is hard to come by. And many hospitals are offering relocation. One in particular is not.... Just wondering why that is and how to negotiate it

I'm going to agree with llg- because that hospital has a line of applicants out its door and doesn't need to offer extra incentive to prospective employees.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I'm going to agree with llg- because that hospital has a line of applicants out its door and doesn't need to offer extra incentive to prospective employees.

And yes, this is true. Sign-on bonuses are used to attract candidates. They don't offer them out of the goodness of their heart. If they don't offer it, it's because they don't need to.

[hdrn90]

Moving for work is a tax deduction as well I think :)

[ProperlySeasoned]

I have been offered a relocation benefit twice as an experienced staff nurse. A few notes - During the recession, these went away. They came back in some hospital systems. Agree that they are likely for harder to fill positions (EG experienced ICU, not new grad med surg). Finally, they look like a decent chunk of change, but are heavily taxed. It usually doesn't end up being that much. Finally, it never hurts to ask!