can nurses negotiate their salary?

Are nurses with a few years experience able to negotiate their hourly rate or is it a take it or leave it situation?
I'm considering leaving the hospital for a potential opportunity in a private office and when I asked the hourly pay, the ballpark figure they gave me was a little lower than I'd hoped.
She then asked me what figure I'm looking for.
Does this mean it might be open for negotiation?
Quote from adpiRNAre nurses with a few years experience able to negotiate their hourly rate or is it a take it or leave it situation?I'm considering leaving the hospital for a potential opportunity in a private office and when I asked the hourly pay, the ballpark figure they gave me was a little lower than I'd hoped.She then asked me what figure I'm looking for.Does this mean it might be open for negotiation?

Her comment leads me to think that there may be some room for negotiation ... but be prepared -- office jobs are almost always lower-paying than hospital nursing jobs, because of the more desirable scheduling.

IME hospitals, especially large entities, have a pay range that's totally based on concrete things (years of experience, certifications, etc) and they don't deviate from that. Smaller private companies and clinics might be willing to negotiate, but probably not more than a couple dollars/hour.

Yeah- but it's not much....you definitely won't be getting acute care salaries (at least from what I've seen in the past). You might be able to wiggle a few cents- maybe a buck....but I'd be really surprised if they would go higher. THere's a lot more per capita overhead in a smaller facility/office that isn't part of a network/corporation- and the hours are considered a huge benefit.... if you don't want it, someone else will take it at what they want to pay.

Thanks! That's sort of what I figured....I'm prepared for a pay cut. But the high end of what she quoted me would mean a 25% pay cut!So I'm hoping to negotiate for a little more than that....Which brings up another point - would you take a 25% pay cut for a good job, more relaxed lifestyle, better hours, no weekends, holidays etc?I haven't been to the office yet to meet everyone so there's still a lot to learn about the job, but it sounds good!And I calculated that by supplementing the office job by working a couple per diem shifts a month at my current hospital at their per diem rate, I could basically make my current salary.So as long as I like the people, the job, the benefits etc, I'll probably take it if they offer it, no matter what the pay. But a few more dollars an hour would be nice

Which brings up another point - would you take a 25% pay cut for a good job, more relaxed lifestyle, better hours, no weekends, holidays etc?Yes, I would.

Quote from adpiRNShe then asked me what figure I'm looking for.Does this mean it might be open for negotiation?

Quote from adpiRNWhich brings up another point - would you take a 25% pay cut for a good job, more relaxed lifestyle, better hours, no weekends, holidays etc?:

Quote from adpiRNWhich brings up another point - would you take a 25% pay cut for a good job, more relaxed lifestyle, better hours, no weekends, holidays etc?

Absolutly!Go high. Hopefully they will come down to the figure that you were looking for.The SouthEast is typically pretty stingy with $$$. Good luck

I negotiate each and every time. Pay is only one facet.If you have any serious years experience go after benefits like extra time off each year. I tell them I don't expect to be given the blank 2-weeks of a new hire. 1-2 weeks more vacation benefit adds to your annual income.Medical coverage, 401K/403B matching, continuing education, seminars... Go for it! You will never get 100% of the things you don't ask for...

I wasn't able to negotiate at all. I was forced to accept the generous salary, shift differentials, bonuses, benefits and pension negotiated by my union.