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OT how to properly negotiate salary

I love dogs's picture

As most of you know, I work in a hospital. I am PRN and make $26.18/ hour and am currently getting close to full-time hours. Before I had the baby, I was regularly working 45-60 hours a week because the turnover is so high. I'm only a 6 month employee and am the most senior PRN.

There are multiple full-time positions available but I prefer weekdays (no differential) so the $19.01/ hour that they're offering is $1000 less a month than my PRN pay. We just can't live on that and put money away for retirement/ savings and that is important to me. I am applying other places to have a plan b.

So I'm asking how to talk to my manager about this. My dad said to not go over her head before asking HR. She gave me 2 weeks before she's going to "do whatever it takes" to fill the empty FT positions. If I stay PRN, I may only get 2 shifts a week but it's only $60 less than working 3 shifts and I can work at other locations. The insurance they provide is also expensive and their "generous PTO" is for all types of personal leave balled into one. It's 7 hours a paycheck.

Of course, my manager didn't tell me I can negotiate. Based on my research, base pay for my city is $24/ hour. I'm assuming these are salary (pointage) numbers and not for PRN. Even their job listing on Glassdoor is $3000 more than they're offering me. I want to stay here but somewhere else may pay better for less work.

Comments

learningallthetime's picture

Wow! I am sure I am in a different state (Ohio), but my base rate is near $28, and I work nights with a $3 shift differential ($5 for weekend nights) and PRN earn more than full time. We are also short staffed and right now get $55/hr for picking up extra shifts. Your salary seems really low, especially if your state average is $24.

lieutenant_dad's picture

Ask for $24. No dice, stay PRN. Then look for a new job at another system if you think you're being underpaid.

ndc's picture

What kind of leverage do you have?  Would they prefer that you take the permanent job, or do they like having a relatively experienced PRN who has historically been willing to take extra shifts?  How many other hospital systems are in your area, and have you researched what they might be paying for a full time RN position?  When you say the insurance they offer is expensive, how would it compare to something you can get on the Marketplace?  I'm making the assumption that you will no longer qualify for Medicaid, so insurance is going to be a real cost, whether you get it through work or elsewhere.  

No one is going to tell you that you can negotiate, but you'd be foolish not to try.  Did you know that one of the big reasons for the "wage gap" between men and women is that men are more willing to negotiate their salaries?  But you need information (such as what others in the area are earning for similar positions) and some understanding of your leverage to do it right.

Harry's picture

They are paying you, what they will pay for medical insurance, retirement and vacation.  Benefits a full time RN will get.  So as a regular fulltime RN. You will receive medical benefits, some type of retirement ( you are going to get older and hope to retire someday ) and your vacation times.  That may ne the difference in pay benefits can be around 25% of your pay 

STaround's picture

Offer other benefits over time.  Career advancement, longevity pay, educational benefits? I know it is tough when you are barely making ends meet, but you might want to think about the long run

notsurehowtodeal's picture

I think you said in a previous post that full-time has a lower salary, but it does provide benefits such as sick leave. Most companies consider employee's overall compensation, not just salary level, when determining salaries. All of the benefits such as leave and insurance and retirement cost the company money - just like a salary does. Most companies provide a break down on a yearly basis.

You need to do the math. How much will the other benefits save you? Will it make up for the difference in salary? How do raises work - are they guaranteed to full time employees? Whoever you talk to is going to bring up the value of the benefits.