Salary offered seems too low

NJRN33 · Feb 19, 2012

Here in nj I got offered 37.50/hr as a new grad rn BSN and like the other post was stating the expenses of living here are much higher then most statesI believe 18 is way too low... What state is that?

JMomBaby · Feb 20, 2012

I would definately take the job at $18/hr, since the alternative is making $0/hr without the job- not to mention, you will probably be eligible for raises after being with the company for awhile. If you work there for a year or more and you find that you really can't survive off of the salary, then I would look for another job (perhaps an internal position will be posted in the hospital with a higher salary for an experienced nurse- which you would be after a year of ER work).

tokyoROSE, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2012

That is low, even compared to my area, which has a low cost of living and therefore lower wages. However, like JMomBaby said, it is better than no job at $0/hr.

sckitty · Mar 24, 2012

I seriously want to know where this is!!! Is the min wage like $2????? $18 seems crazy low in contrast to the $45/hr in a hospital in the Monterey/San Fran Bay area, Ca where i live. I'm going to start in a SNF here at $31

Blackcat99 · Mar 24, 2012

Accept the $18 an hour and keep your mouth shut. $18 an hour is so much better than $0 an hour.

puravidaLV · Apr 15, 2012

I know someone who has an ICU job at 18$/hr. Fresh new grads are getting paid this and it normally goes up after 3 months, but if it doesn't go up after 9 mo I would stick it out for another three and start filling out applications to other hospitals.

whichone'spink, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2012

I would definately take the job at $18/hr, since the alternative is making $0/hr without the job- not to mention, you will probably be eligible for raises after being with the company for awhile.

Yeah, typically of a few cents more per hour. Nevertheless, take it, and then move out later when you get your year and apply to a higher paying hospital.

Nurseadam · Apr 23, 2012

cmon' dude, there's people that can't find jobs... 4 months now, and not a single interview, and you're complaining about the salary?

Can I have your job? i'd take it for 15$ , serious.

stephanie2012 · Apr 24, 2012

We all know things get two sides;

While if you are experienced not only on books, but also technically, ok, they may give you the salary you want;

If they have two much talents like you in the ER, perhaps they would not change your present salary, while the job is good and hard to find the similar , and you don't want to lose it easily, ok, you may talk the salary issue later, when you are popular here.

240zRN · Apr 24, 2012

I think it is tragic that the state of our economic climate, as well as the unique struggles new graduates are facing in the nursing job market has turned into viable reasons for negating any complaints about wage or any other underemployment factors.

"Don't complain because many others wish they could find a job." Is such a poor attitude to have in times like these. This is coming from someone who has been searching for a job for over a year. Yes, as much as I would jump to any opportunity that would come my way, I also think it is perverted how some hospitals are getting away with such low wages from us fresh graduates. While looking for jobs, I am seeing more and more "Nurse Tech" positions, which specifically target new grad RN's that utilize an RN's complete skill set and scope of practice without rewarding them with full autonomy--the net result of this fiscally is a "legitimate" drop in wage. I saw wages for these positions in the 12-15 dollars per hour. Granted these jobs are in areas where cost of living is far less than what I am accustomed to here in the Bay Area, CA; it is still a perversion. Then again, life is not about fairness, it is almost entirely a "chance" affair. Mediocre applicants were granted sign on bonuses in 2005. Stellar applicants get mass rejections in 2010. Anyhoo...

My advice to the OP would be to politely and professionally ask to negotiate the wage, but be sure to be able to back up your request and re-sell yourself as someone who would be an asset to the company.

Sadly, we live in a world where cheap labor is not only a commodity, but in some cases REQUIRED in order to keep business afloat. There is nothing wrong with crawling for that extra inch, though. If you do it properly, the worst they can say is no.