What salary is fair for a NEW RN grad?

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Specializes in Operating Room, ICU, CCRN.

Very curious....I live in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area. Also, do you think it's professional to negotiate your first offer?

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I recently graduated in the same area. Most new grads are being paid between $27-29/hr from what I have seen in the area. A little less about $23-25 in the Lehigh area. Also, I personally don't believe it is professional to negotiate salary, especially if you are at a well-established facility. It is what it is.

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Specializes in Operating Room, ICU, CCRN.
I recently graduated in the same area. Most new grads are being paid between $27-29/hr from what I have seen in the area. A little less about $23-25 in the Lehigh area. Also I personally don't believe it is professional to negotiate salary, especially if you are at a well-established facility. It is what it is.[/quote']

Thanks for responding and for your input. It is much appreciated!

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Philly burb: I just hired 2 new grad RN's for Home Health-- salary $62,400/yr ($30/hr) per HR.

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Specializes in Operating Room, ICU, CCRN.
Philly burb: I just hired 2 new grad RN's for Home Health-- salary $62400/yr ($30/hr) per HR.[/quote']

Wow!!! That's great!!! I would be pleased with that! Would you find it professional for a new grad to negotiate salary? Obviously, this is pleasing to a new grad. What's your opinion?

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

I would always try to negotiate, especailly for second career adults with strong career backgrounds.

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People who bring more to the table than a freshly-minted degree have more to negotiate about. If this is your first real job, don't push your luck too far-- there are too many others waiting for that job who will not hesitate to take anything they can get.

And in a few years when you have some great experience, some leadership skill and some exceptional clinical cred, then you can negotiate to see what the market will bear for your services.

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I don't think it's unprofessional to negotiate salary or benefits. I would even be pressed to say it is expected in a "professional" role. Don't sell yourself short. Also, don't sell yourself out of a job, be reasonable and have some idea why you would be worth more.

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Specializes in Operating Room, ICU, CCRN.
People who bring more to the table than a freshly-minted degree have more to negotiate about. If this is your first real job, don't push your luck too far-- there are too many others waiting for that job who will not hesitate to take anything they can get.

And in a few years when you have some great experience, some leadership skill and some exceptional clinical cred, then you can negotiate to see what the market will bear for your services.

Yeah, I agree with you. As for my case this isn't my first real job and I bring many years of experience in the department I'm gonna be working in. I just didn't want to come off like I'm ungrateful or greedy. But I do think I have a lot to offer the team and so do they ;-)

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I just got my RN license 2 weeks ago. I have 8 years of nursing experience LVN, and last 4 years I worked at Hospice/Home Health. Initially home health agency where I work, told me that I can continue working for them as RN. After I got my RN, I was told that there certain regulation that does not allow Home Health Agencies to use RNs who do not have 1 year of acute experience. I am very frustrated. I think I know much more about home health than an RN with one year of acute experience who never worked in home health. Any advice? I love home health and would like to continue, but how ???

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I live in Philly. Got hired as a new grad RN; seven yrs experience LPN. Got new grad rate; 6 month 5% raise, then 13% raise after one year to even out equivalency for my total nursing experience. They use a clinical ladder/pathway model, so while experience is counted when you come in, it's adjusted after you start working and get your feet wet. I would find out what "model" of salary calculation they have.

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Specializes in Surgical/Stepdown, Home Care.

I was started at $31/hour as a new grad at a major teaching hospital in South Jersey. As far as negotiating salary, with as saturated as the market in this area is, I'd be hesitant; there are thousands of new grads graduating every semester who will chomp at the bit to take that dollar less an hour.

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