School nurse interview

[futureRN09]

Just need some advice. Best way to negotiate salary. I know most school districts have a step salary schedule. However, this job would be a huge pay cut and I feel I am great asset to the particular school. I have many years of pediatric and ER experience, certifications and most importantly I am bilingual in Spanish. The school serves a large population of Hispanic families. 

Not sure what that correct way to go about asking for more than 47k. 

Thanks in advance 

-futurern09

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Best is to ask, but I would not get your hopes up. Salaries and budgets  are usually decided a year before (at least where I live) so this years money has been already line itemed.  Ask if there is any flexibility now or possibly in the future. Nothing ventured nothing gained!

[MHDNURSE]

If this is a public school district and the nurse salary is on the district pay scale, there is zero wiggle room.  As the PP said, salaries are budgeted a year in advance.  The wiggle room comes from getting the school to be willing to move you down the pay scale step-wise, or across columns based on experience.  For example, some districts might be willing to accept all your RN experience over the years as well as your assets so you are on a higher level on the pay scale, thus earning more than say a newer less experienced nurse.  Some districts won't budge.  I would have a conversation with the HR person or the Nurse Leader and see if they are able to do that since they won't be able to just pay you more.  Does this make sense?  

[LikeTheDeadSea, MSN, RN]

This is a tough one, I experienced what has been described above  - I asked for acknowledgement of my 4years of school nursing that was in a non-CSN role, and they wouldn't budge me up the payscale at all, I had to start at Year 1.   This is public school - I think private schools often have more wiggle room, although their salaries in my area are significantly less than public, so the wiggle room doesn't really help in grand scheme. 

[futureRN09]

10 hours ago, LikeTheDeadSea said:

This is a tough one, I experienced what has been described above  - I asked for acknowledgement of my 4years of school nursing that was in a non-CSN role, and they wouldn't budge me up the payscale at all, I had to start at Year 1.   This is public school - I think private schools often have more wiggle room, although their salaries in my area are significantly less than public, so the wiggle room doesn't really help in grand scheme. 

Thank you all for replying. I’m just hoping for some wiggle room. I know it won’t be close to what I am making now but I will ask to start at a higher pay scale based on the above reasons. I figure the worst thing that could happen is they say no. 

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

12 hours ago, futureRN09 said:

Thank you all for replying. I’m just hoping for some wiggle room. I know it won’t be close to what I am making now but I will ask to start at a higher pay scale based on the above reasons. I figure the worst thing that could happen is they say no. 

And the trade off is every weekend night and holiday off...built in vacations, we have the ability to take 20 pay checks or 20 +1 (which equals six total), summers off (usually). It does allow to pick up per diem shifts somewhere if needed. Good Luck!

[beachynurse, ASN, BSN]

I wouldn't get my hopes up to be disappointed, but it's worth trying. I know my school division will only look at your full time work experience and not consider part time or per-diem work. But once they make an offer, that's it. It's not uncommon for school nurses to take a decrease in pay, after all, we are 10 month employees, not 12 month, so we lose 2 months of pay right there. They consider that the schedule being what it is to be a huge benefit for us too. Also, as far as increases, you will get whatever the school division increase is, we don't get anything special. So if the school division gets a 3% raise, so do we. I took a $26,000 pay cut 18 years ago when I started school nursing, and honestly I'd make the same decision all over again if I had to.

[Mickey9700, RN]

beachynurse.....that's a big cut, something I would have to consider if I was to accept a position that may be offered to me soon. I love my job in Urgent Care, but I keep feeling like something is missing. What did you do before? 

[beachynurse, ASN, BSN]

8 hours ago, Mickey9700 said:

beachynurse.....that's a big cut, something I would have to consider if I was to accept a position that may be offered to me soon. I love my job in Urgent Care, but I keep feeling like something is missing. What did you do before? 

Hi Mickey9700

That was some pay cut, but mentally it was worth it. I was a manager in the skilled department of a home care agency. I had worked for that company for 18 years before the move. 
I had a terrible boss who would refer to us as stupid, retardant, moron, and we had no idea what was happening. You never knew which boss was coming in the door. The funny laughing boss, or the mean one. My blood pressure skyrocketed, and I got sick because of her. 
so, that pay cut was worth every penny.

[Mickey9700, RN]

Hi beachynurse, 

So, I spoke to them today and they offered me more than $20,000 less than my current salary. Needless to say that is impossible for me to take. I wish it would have worked out, but if something else is meant to be, I suppose it will come along.