Nurse recruiters share their best suggestions for negotiating salary

More than 2,500 nurses from all 50 states working in quite a lot of settings responded to an internet survey in late 2021. Data showed that regular merit raises were the No. 1 pay think about job satisfaction for all RNs, and second was their ability to utilize their full scope of practice. Nurses also said that what they appear for many at work is a manager, the mission of the organization and opportunities for advancement.

Although APRNs (52%) and LPNs (41%) were more prone to negotiate their salaries, only 31% of RNs said that negotiating salaries was something they did all or more often than not. About 30% of all nurses surveyed said they never negotiate their salaries. However, negotiating your salary may end in a better salary. And 40% of male RNs said they negotiate salary at all times or more often than not, in comparison with just 31% of female RNs.

How much room for maneuver do nurses have in the case of this salary negotiation? And how should they go about it?

When negotiating salary, ask about compensation structures

According to Theresa Mazzaro, RN, CHCR, senior talent acquisition specialist at Suburban Hospital, salary negotiation is profitable and will be possible for knowledgeable nurses on the lookout for a brand new job, but is unlikely for brand new nurses. Suburban Hospital, situated in Bethesda, Maryland, is a component of Suburban Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine. Mazzaro can also be a member of the corporate’s management board National Healthcare Recruiting Association (NAHCR).

The reality is, based on Jessica Quezada Jackson, CHCR, a healthcare talent recruiter and NAHCR board member, the fact is that how much employers can vary the pay of nurses and other healthcare providers is influenced by many aspects.

For example, in a unionized environment, the union determines employment parameters, including salary. However, even within the absence of a union, employers, like hospitals, must comply with Affirmative Action and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Guidelines, which Jackson believes promotes equality in hiring practices. Many employers pay nurses based on experience level, with built-in levels for certifications, advanced degrees, and more. According to Jackson, it’s probably not a negotiation, but quite a longtime, tiered compensation structure.

The most significant thing nurses can do to make sure they’re leveraging their experience, education, and more is to know a possible employer’s compensation structure. Then they will negotiate if possible, Jackson said.

“Nurses can get this information from their recruiters,” she said. “Many recruiters work for our company and they will be able to tell you what you will earn based on your experience.”

New salary for a registered nurse

Mazzaro said that for brand new graduate nurses, negotiations are often out of the query. Many aspects can influence a brand new RN’s salary. Credit for prior LPN experience is one think about calculating a brand new nurse’s base salary. A brand new graduate’s education level can also help that nurse earn more. According to Mazzaro, registered nurses with an associate’s degree in nursing could have a special starting salary than nurses starting with a BSN or entry-level MSN.

There are other ways to earn a better salary, even for a brand new nurse. Like a more experienced nurse, a brand new registered nurse can earn a difference by working the night shift quite than the day shift.

The negotiating power of experienced nurses

An experienced nurse could have more negotiating power.

Some employers have a policy of paying based on a salary scale based on years of experience in that nursing specialty. According to Mazzaro, there isn’t a room for negotiation or discussion.

Therefore, it will be important for knowledgeable nurses to obviously define what experience and value they will bring to their latest role.

“From a negotiation standpoint, nurses should be able to tell their stories about their experiences with the work they did and what they did,” Mazzaro said. “Because if we’re just looking at a resume and that’s the only snapshot we have when calculating salary, we may not have the full picture.”

When starting a brand new job, it is also essential to take into consideration overall salary and compensation, based on Jackson. For example, nurses moving to underserved areas may give you the option to barter more lucrative relocation packages in comparison with a better base salary.

Prepare now for a better salary later

Nurses can work to extend their salary potential of their current and future jobs in several ways, including earning certifications of their specialties.

“Earning this certification demonstrates and validates through assessment and examination that you are a competent and certified specialty nurse,” Mazzaro said.

And this will likely result in a salary increase in your current position or a better starting salary in a brand new job.

Experts say salary increases and education levels often go hand in hand. For example, college-educated nurses should ask their employers whether or not they pay more for a BSN, and if that’s the case, how rather more. Sometimes, higher education salary increases make up the difference and are added to a nurse’s salary, Mazzaro said. Sometimes that is included in your basic salary.

“The other thing I would recommend to nurses is to become a teacher or a substitute nurse,” Mazzaro said. “Any time you increase your level of responsibility, such as being a teacher or a charge nurse, it usually makes a difference.”

Mazzaro said it’s always best for nurses to debate salaries with recruiters quite than hiring managers.

“Work with your recruiter and make sure your resume is complete and up-to-date, especially for nurses who have long tenure and extensive experience,” Mazzaro said. “The more you’ll be able to diversify and expand your knowledge base and skill set, the more opportunities you have to ask for [for higher pay]”

Editor’s note: This blog post was originally published on December 2, 2021 and has been updated.