Salary Expected

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

I am apply for my first nursing position and alot of the applications ask "Salary Expected". How do I answer this? I don't have any previous nursing experience so I don't know first hand what to put.

Its not one of my concerns when finding a job. Yes I would like to be paid for what I do but what I feel more important is finding a job I love rather than focusing on the payment. I'd rather be paid poorly and be happy at my job than be paid well and hate it all.

But how should I respond on applications to this?

[llg, PhD, RN]

Unless you are forced to answer it, I would leave it blank. That's what I usually do. If asked in an interview, etc., I answer with the question, "What is the normal range for this position at this facility?" I say that I would expect to be paid the typical amount for a person in this position with my level of experience.

If it gets to the point of an interview, you should do a little homework first and find out what typical salaries are for your region. Then you will be able to give a range that covers the appripriate amount to expect.

[elkpark]

Remember that, in any financial negotiation, the first person to actually name a specific number loses. I leave those spaces on applications blank or put "negotiable." When asked in an interview about salary expectations, I do as llg suggests and say something like, "I'm sure your organization will offer a fair salary reflecting my credentials and experience, and I'll carefully consider any compensation package you offer me" -- which puts the ball back in their court.

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

Ok thanks to the both of you.

I did leave it blank on the first application I filled out and I got an interview with them which went very well but I still want to fill out more applications. I'll put negotiable on them so they don't think I am ignoring the question.

I just don't care about the compensation when it comes to employment. I care about being happy where I am.

[elkpark]

I just don't care about the compensation when it comes to employment. I care about being happy where I am.

I think a lot of us feel that job satisfaction is more important than an actual dollar amount of salary -- just be careful not to tell potential employers that you "don't care about the compensation." :) However, now that you mention it, saying something about how working conditions and job satisfaction are more important to you than a specific salary figure is another way to respond to the "what salary are you looking for?" question in an interview.

[ok2bme]

i would advise against leaving blanks on applications. i agree with elkpark, "negotiable" is a pretty safe, standard response. i put a rediculously large gap, "high 20's to low 50's", not sure how professional that is but got the job, lol.

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

I think a lot of us feel that job satisfaction is more important than an actual dollar amount of salary -- just be careful not to tell potential employers that you "don't care about the compensation." :) However, now that you mention it, saying something about how working conditions and job satisfaction are more important to you than a specific salary figure is another way to respond to the "what salary are you looking for?" question in an interview.

Oh no no no I'd never say I don't care about it to them. I do have this feeling that the salary question is a trick. I was recently asked on my interview if my current job(Staples) gives me benefits because on call positions in that nursing home don't have benefits. Benefits questions to me are different than salary questions

[elkpark]

Oh no no no I'd never say I don't care about it to them. I do have this feeling that the salary question is a trick.

It is a trick, because, as I said before, the first person (in any financial negotiation, not just salary situations) to mention a specific figure is automatically in the weaker position. They're trying to get you to be the first to state a specific number, and you're doing whatever you need to do to avoid doing so (gracefully :)). That's how the game is played ... :)