Two VERY low ball job offers in the last month...(management and leadership!)

[SweettartRN]

Ok, a little background. I have my background in management which is what I did before I became a nurse. I now have five years nursing experience as well as my ASN, BSN, and my MSN.

I have been interviewing for jobs in management and leadership as I feel that I am ready to be doing what I have trained to do as well as being paid what I feel I should be. This is apparently not going to be the case.

The first job, for a DON position with a start up homecare company they offered me a whopping $49,800, knowing that my salary requirements were MUCH higher than this.

The second one, an assistant DON position with a staffing agency, they offered $55,000 per year. Again, knowing that my salary requirements were much higher.

It's not as if I don't have the experience that they want. Where are they coming up with these horrendously low numbers? To say that I am insulted is putting it mildly. Hell, even floor staff make more than that.

I know that the market in my area is saturated with ASN's and because of this many employers are paying just above minimum wage, but this doesn't explain where the low-ball numbers come from for an experienced nurse in a leadership position.

Anyone have any possible advice here? Should I just give it up already?

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

I totally agree. Well said. OP, I'm not sure where you live but I don't know any new grad that makes "17-18/hr. Please don't be offended that some of us with ADNs make MORE than you. Five years is great experience but not sure if they would quailify you for more money. There are others with way more experience than you making what you were offered.

So my advice, is to take it or leave it.

Don't blame newbie nurses for taking lower pay just because you have been insulted by two companies. There are too many nurses and not enough jobs as I am sure you know and many of us have babies and houses to support so $17/hour is better than $7.95 down the road at McDonald's.

[JillyRN]

I agree with HippyDippy completely. With the current market, very few nurses are even in the position to negotiate salary. As a new grad in a highly saturated area with a high cost of living, I had no choice but to take a very low paying new grad position. I've been an RN almost 3 years now, and I don't expect to be demanding a six figure wage anytime in the next two years.

[Nurse_]

I'm in California. I have to say that there's merit to what the OP says about new grad pay, though I don't believe that it is under the New Grad's control to negotiate.

It's Economy 101: high supply, low demand = low $ | high demand, low suppyy = HIGH $$$

On 2012:

New Grad Super users in California: $17 - 20/hr

New Grad RN Centinela: $23-25

New Grad RN CHLA: $26-30

New Grad RN Orange County: $24-29

New Grad RN Los Angeles County: $23-31

It is a low ball offer. Being a DON is a very big responsibility, just doing the paperworks necessary to keep the facility running is headache enough. Red tape after red tape, DONs not only have to maintain the standards of the facility but also their employees. They have to make sure that in-services are up-to-date, that all the titles are covered, that the proper papers have been faxed, so yes... it is a low offer.

Do you have a choice? Yes! Renegotiate or walk away.

It is a sad reality that's why when I read things like job offers and being picky about the shift... it kinda irks me a little. There's a lot of nurses who are stagnant right now and here are some who have a choice but choose to nitpick about it.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Do you have experience as a DON or ADON? If not why would you expect to make as much as an experienced DON? And please don't tell people they shouldn't accept a jo. For $17 or $18 an hour. That may well be the only job they can get.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Well... the plan by big business and hospitals (which is big business) of glutting the market with the promise of unlimited jobs and great pay has worked in placing nursing back 20 years. I knew this would happen.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Well... the plan by big business and hospitals (which is big business) of glutting the market with the promise of unlimited jobs and great pay has worked in placing nursing back 20 years. I knew this would happen.

So true.

[07302003, ASN, RN]

I've found that unless your previous work experience was *in nursing*, those who hire don't count it as experience. So they're looking at you as having no management experience. So you may have to take a more entry level management salary to get nursing management experience. But, if you decide you want to do that, I'd make sure to get hired in somewhere with growth potential, like one of the big hospital systems. Just my 2 cents.

[LynnLRN]

Maybe they aren't well established organizations and they cannot afford to pay more?

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

Several of the hospitals here just laid off a slew of nurses due to budget cuts, so you'll have to excuse me for not trying to negotiate my pay as a new grad.

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

Lol, heck, forget about blaming new grads. There are a bunch of experienced nurses having to take whatever is offered just to be employed. Blame the schools and media who keep insisting there is still a nursing shortage!

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

The unfortunate reality is that people need to work. The economy is dismal, so if the OP declines, they just might find someone who will accept that offer....and they know this.

Also, management within another field does not translate into nursing experience, so you can't count that. Your skills are transferrable OP, and may help in landing an offer, but many nurses have prior work experience, diplomas and degrees.

Nursing is at a low point for sure. More layoffs and restructuring throughout Canada as well, despite the fact that nurses are overworked. It's everywhere.

Continue to negotiate, keep looking for work, or accept the offer. Those are your choices. Hopefully, something better will come along.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I've found that unless your previous work experience was *in nursing* those who hire don't count it as experience. So they're looking at you as having no management experience. So you may have to take a more entry level management salary to get nursing management experience. But, if you decide you want to do that, I'd make sure to get hired in somewhere with growth potential, like one of the big hospital systems. Just my 2 cents.[/quote']

^This!!!