Salary negotiations

[sleepyjane]

I was just wondering if anyone has ever negotiated their starting salary as a new graduate. I recently accepted a position in Boston without negotiating because I thought there wasn't room for it and I desperately wanted the job! Now I'm kicking myself because I'm thinking I might have been able to get more than what I was offered. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[gerry79]

I was under the impression that new grads cant negotiate. There is a set minimum for new nurses at each hospital.

[azor]

If there's room for negotiation for a new grad,then you can do that but i guess you needed to ask around other employees to find out.Left for me,i'll say its not necessary since some hospital have a set out rate for their new grads.I didnt ask for that since they gave me a good rate again,i dont think its wise starting out with that kind of impression not even now that you dont have experience.When you have experience then,it'll be good for the negotiations at least,you are somewhere with your feet wet.Goodluck.

Azor

[Shopgirl1]

I would say that in Boston it's hard to negotiate a starting salary. There are so many people for such few jobs, that if you were lucky enough to get an interview AND the job, I would feel very satisfied. When the yearly review comes around, that may be a better time to ask for more money.

Which hospital are you working at?

[Nursey Face]

There's always room for negotiation!!! They may not give you an increase but you should always try to negotiate. This is true for any job not only for the money but it shows professionalism and also that you value yourself. Do a search on the web on salary negotiation or even buy a book about it . . . they give great tips about how to do this. I will be graduating in December and I will DEFINITELY try to negotiate, just like I have always done.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I have never worked for a hospital that would negotiate salary for a new grad. It would destroy the morale of their existing staff and cause a lot more serious problems than any one employee would be worth.

Now ... there might be a few other things you can negotiate, such as starting date or orientation time, or unpaid time off prior to being allowed to use vacation time, etc. These types of things don't cost the employer much and don't set precedents that cause problems with the rest of their staff. So, if you have any special needs, don't hesitate to ask about the possibilities that might help you.

But don't expect to paid more than other new grads hired for the same job.

[Nursey Face]

Hey you never know and it's just a given in any profession, that's all. They may not raise your salary at all but like the previous poster suggested, they may offer more time off. Even if they do not give you anything, it's a norm so don't be afraid! And morale shouldn't have anything to do with it since salary's are supposed to be confidential. There are plenty of people who hold the same job and have varying salaries. Who knows, you might be surprised! It's nothing to be shy about.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

there is no negotiating in MA for new grads, jobs are at a premium for us.

Sweetooth

[Nursey Face]

I am not suggesting that they are going to give you what you want BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS ASK. Simple. Read any interview book, or google information about job searching and interviewing and they will always tell you to TRY to negotiate. That is the point. No profession regardless of planet, hemisphere, continent, country, state, city, town, or whatever variable you would like to add, differs. Yes, some places have less vacancies, like Boston, Chicago, NYC, etc., but that doesn't mean you don't try. You are not just asking for more money but you are expressing your worth to the employer and setting the tone that you are a professional and value yourself and what you have to offer.

[Shopgirl1]

Well, I think that the Boston hospitals have such a "pick of the litter" so to speak, that the can EASILY not hire you and move on to the next applicant. At Mass General, they received over 600 applications for about 60 jobs this Spring! As mentioned before, if you're able to get an interview and the job, I would certianly be happy for that!

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

to add to the above post I was hired by a hospital in north eastern MA (40 miles north of boston) and they receive about a hundred if not more new grad applicants and they only had about 15 spots and all but three of them were taken by people who already worked at the hospital as CNAs.

Good luck in your job search, but IMHO it is not worth loosing a job offer by asking for more money, especially as a new grad with no experience.

Sweetooth

[gizelda196]

I believe (with the exception of MGH) all Boston hospitals are UNION. You are placed into the pay scale that the UNION negotiated. Most are MNA with BMC City side being SEIU. So a new grad is placed into that union negotiated step. Hope that helps.