wage negotiation?

[Friendly1]

Hello All,

I am moving to Boston this summer and recently completed a series of interviews with various hospitals throughout the city. I, thankfully, have received several offers (Yey). I don't want to chose a hospital based on pay, however, with the cost of living so high in Boston, I would like to make as much as possible. Once offered a position, is it o.k. to negotiate salary? Also, if I heard the recruiter offer a sign on bonus to one interviewee, but not to me is it o.k. to ask about a bonus? It sounds so money hungry and this is NOT my intent. Loving my job is more important than money. I just want to be able to survive while I'm working! Thanks in advance. :)

[OC_An Khe]

In answer to your question about sign on bonuses the answer it is always correct to ask. It is also correct to ask /negotiate starting salary. How successful you are depends on a few things. But essentially it boils down to either the employer"s philosphy about how much to invest in a "new unknown" employee, or whether highering rates are modeled on some formula such as in a Union contract.