Whether you are beginning your career as a nurse, switching jobs or looking for a pay increase, you want a salary that reflects your value as an employee. The thought of negotiating a salary may make you nervous, but leaving your salary up to an employer can lead to a lower figure than you deserve.
Plus, you need to understand what your accomplishments are worth. For instance, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree can help you command a higher salary. Plus, with online BSN programs like the one offered by The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), you can continue working while earning your degree and graduate with more experience under your belt — one of the most essential selling points on a well-crafted resume.
Why Should You Negotiate Your Salary?
With your nursing education and preparation, you are a valuable asset to any healthcare organization. The best time to pursue a salary boost is when you change jobs, start a new position or receive a promotion.
Never assume that the employer knows better than you what you’re worth. If you accept the first offer, you may be stuck in a low pay rate that typically goes up by small increments annually for RNs. In most cases, you can negotiate your salary and ask for other incentives.
Why Nurses Can Negotiate Their Salaries
Nurses have the advantage of being in demand, which gives them job security along with the ability to negotiate their salary. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the registered nurse job category will add 6% more jobs between 2023 and 2033, representing faster-than-average job growth.
The need for nurses is high for several reasons. Increasing numbers of patients necessitate more nurses to care for them. The U.S. population is aging. Older patients tend to suffer from chronic health conditions that require long-term medical care.
Plus, more nurses are reaching retirement age, and fewer nurses are enrolling in nursing schools. Combined with the high demand for nurses, these factors created a nursing shortage. The nursing shortage leads to a nurse faculty shortage, further compounding the nursing shortage in a cyclical manner.
What Are Some Tips for Salary Negotiation?
You should gather information before attempting to negotiate your salary, because if you are not knowledgeable about all the details regarding pay statistics and the job description, you may hurt your prospects for reaching an ideal outcome. Before going to an interview or accepting a new job, you should do the following:
- Research nursing salaries.
- Learn about what the job entails.
- Wait for the job offer.
- Let the employer state the salary amount.
- Determine a satisfactory salary range.
- Consider other job benefits.
You should search internet job databases for nursing salaries in your region and network with professionals in healthcare to gain insight into pay ranges. This research includes finding out salary ranges for specialist positions such as a forensic nurse (if you are applying for such roles). It also includes figuring out the typical wage bump that comes with factors like education and specialized certification, as discussed below.
Timing Is Essential in Salary Negotiations
You do not want to jump ahead to a discussion about salary without a solid job offer. If you try to settle on a salary without the assurance of getting the job, you may lose negotiating power.
When you are sure you want the job, let the employer state the salary for the position. You should identify the lowest amount you are willing to accept, so if the salary is too low and negotiation is not possible, you can end the interview. If you agree with the salary they are offering, you should request a salary that is a little above the proposed amount.
In the event that an employer asks you to tell them what you want to earn, you can ask them what the budget is for the position and how much they paid the previous employee. This will give you an idea of a starting number for negotiation.
If you cannot reach the exact salary you want but the amount is adequate, you might be able to negotiate other incentives such as a signing bonus, vacation time, schedule and tuition reimbursement.
Why Your Education and Credentials Can Help You With Salary Negotiations
Numerous industry organizations like the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) support increasing the typical entry-level education for registered nurses to the BSN. Along with many other top-tier healthcare employers, Magnet hospitals require that nurses in leadership roles have at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Along with increasing your job opportunities, a BSN will help you at the negotiating table. According to ZipRecruiter data from October 2024, BSN-prepared RNs make an average annual salary of $125,323, compared to $80,707 for ADN-prepared RNs. Clearly, you are well within reason to ask for a much higher salary if you have a BSN.
Other factors that contribute to increasing your earning potential are years of experience, certifications and work shifts. Some of the most marketable credentials include:
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Is There a Pay Gap for Female and Male Nurses?
The gender wage gap is definitive in nursing. The Institute for Women’s Policy Research published a 2024 report which found that, as of 2023 data, women nurses make roughly 85 cents on the dollar as compared to men in the same roles. The gap is even more pronounced when adding in factors like race and ethnicity. Further, this gap is persistent over time. While the gender pay gap has started to shrink, it has done so slowly and will take time to disappear altogether.
You deserve good compensation for the work you perform as a nurse. During your career, you may have incurred student debt, endured a grueling work schedule and sacrificed personal time to obtain certification in a specialized field of nursing. You should not be afraid to negotiate a salary that meets your financial requirements. Before negotiating, do your homework, then forge ahead without wavering until you settle on the income and job perks you need, desire and deserve.
Learn more about UTA’s online BSN program.
