Ask a Recruiter

Posts: 47 · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 47 Location: San Diego

aholcomb803 wrote:

Hi! I am a nurse in South Carolina with over 10 years of experience. However, I am a Licensed Practical Nurse, not a registered nurse as of yet. I am currently pursuing a BSN degree through the LPN to BSN program offered through the college network at Indiana State University. This particular "bridge" program is still relatively new and has only a few commonalities with programs offered by what used to be Regent's in New York. I anticipate completion of all of the degree requirements in 10 months, and will become board eligible at the same time. Do you have any opportunities for LPN's or does the company that you are affiliated with restrict their clientelle exclusively to Registered Nurses? Thanks for any information that you may have!

My firm does work with LPNs, but there is much more demand for RNs at this time. I think that your best bet is to contact a large staffing agency, and ask them to present you to their clients whom meet your criteria.

I didn't want to use this site as a marketing tool. I would prefer to give you an unbiased, objective opinion of what I know of the industry. This way you know that I am not self serving, and genuinely trying to help.

Feel free to send me an e-mail if you have any other questions.

Posts: 47 · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 47 Location: San Diego

tielk wrote:

I appreciate your assistance it helped me a great deal. Very Happy

I am glad to hear it. If you have any stories, I would love to hear them.

Posts: 47 · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 47 Location: San Diego

SpySly wrote:

Hi! I am looking to relocate from Mass. to Charlotte, NC, and am beginning to wade through all of the different jobs out there. First question, Can I expect $45,000 a year? I know the cost of living is much cheaper there, anything has to be cheaper than Mass. Second question, should I find a place to live first (thinking of buying a home) or should I get a job first? Thanks for ANY help you can give me! SpySly

$45K sounds reasonable for that area, but it really depends on your experience.

As far as buying the house is concerned, I would hold off until you accept a position. I know a nurse who was determined to move to a new community. So she moved there before securing a position for herself. Unfortunately the nurse didn't do her homework, and found out after she purchased her home that there was a RN program at one of the local community colleges. There were no jobs to be found in her area because the market was saturated with nurses.

So find the job first, and then worry about a house. I would then make sure that you get the hours you need to make it work. Some facilities are over-staffed, and send nurses home. I know...it sounds unheard of, with the national shortage and all...but there are a few pockets of the country in which there are too many nurses. For example, I have heard that the entire state of Minnesota is actually experieincing a nursing surplus.

I hope this helps. Good luck. Let us all know how things turn out for you.

Posts: 9 · Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Texas

RN Recruiter wrote:

I am a nurse recruiter. I am not here to promote my business. Instead I am here to provide free career advice. If you have questions about any of the categories listed below let me know.

* How to find your dream job?
* Interview Tips
* How to get leverage when negotiating money?
* How to see past recruiter speak to know if an opportunity is good?
* Make sure you are asking all of the important questions before taking a job.
* What is a fair signing bonus/relocation bonus?
* Anything else you want to know.

hello,
i am a new adn grad. may 2004. i have not taken boards yet, because of complications from back surgery, which i had one week from graduation. i am still currently on disibility. i have nerve damage to my left leg with a drop foot. i am doing a little better, but i have trouble walking for so long or standing for long period of time. i wanted to know what kind of job are available for someone like me, with no RN experience. i do have one year of LVN experience. any info will be helpful.

thanks
melinda blanco,lvn
texas

Posts: 1 · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 1 Location: Northern NJ

RN Recruiter wrote:

Quote:

What advice can you offer for salary negotiations? I am a nurse manager and it's difficult pricing yourself, I know the hours are well over 40 and you don't get paid more so how do I find out a fair salary?
Thanks,
Bonnie

Salary Negotiations is a subject I always get a lot of questions about. Salary negotiations should be a three step process: research, leverage, and negotiation.

RESEARCH
The first thing you need to do is research salary. Find out how much nurses with your level of experience are making in your area. Make sure that the nurses work in similar departments as you do

For example, if you work in Long Term Care then don't ask ICU nurses how much they make as your point of comparison. It is true that you are both Registered Nurses, but the skill sets used and certifications vary by specialty.

Also be conscious of geographic factors. Nurses in San Francisco make more than nurses in Los Angeles or Kansas City.

Finally, don’t assume that you are worth the same pay as a nurse with 10 years more experience than you. Hospitals have salary ranges for all of their positions, and experience determines where you fall on that range. Because the facility likely employs 100’s of nurses they can’t bring you in for more money than everyone else in your price range.

Once you know the general salary range of nurses in your area, you will have a reasonable idea of what to ask for.

LEVERAGE
This is the post important part of negotiation. As an RN you are the one in high demand, the number of positions is greater than the number of nurses. Therefore you would think that you would have great leverage, right? Maybe not…there are a ton of nursing positions, but there is a shortage of the really great positions. So you have to assume that you are competing for the great positions with several other nurses.

So how do you get leverage? First of all, go through the entire interview process and wait for a job offer. Recruiters will often times interview multiple candidates and only extend an offer to the best candidate. If a deal can’t be struck then they will move down the list and make an offer to their second choice, etc.

When an offer is made to you, the hospital is essentially telling you that you are their best option. This gives you a little leverage to work with. If you negotiate before this point, then you will likely be removed from consideration if you demands are too high.

NEGOTIATION
Tell them that you have one or two other offers, and with all things being equal they are your first choice. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU POINT OUT ALL OF THE NON-FINANCIAL REASONS WHY YOU WANT THE JOB. If an employer thinks that money is your sole motivation, then it may make him/her question your long term viability. This is because you might jump at the chance to make more money 6 months from now.

Then ask your potential employer if this is their absolute best offer. Suggest that if they have a better offer, then it would be a good idea for your employer to extend it because you will make an decision within the next 48 hours based upon the best financials, and the intangibles (like department staff, etc.)

Also ask them to send you information on benefits, sign-on bonuses, and relocation. By doing this, you are suggesting that they need to include these things if they haven’t already, but you are not directly asking for it.

If you take these steps, I guarantee you that your potential employer will offer you the most money they have available for a nurse of your experience. The employer will think that this is their one chance to get you, so they will throw everything in they have at you.

One last tip. If you tell a facility that you are going to make a decision in 48 hours…make sure you stick to your word. I have seen many hospitals rescind offers because nurses didn’t keep to their deadlines.

I hope this helps…good luck.

I've been working as an RN (ADN) consistantly for 25 yrs., excluding maturnity leave, in the metro NY area. I have an appt. with a manager for a hospital-based home care/hospice dept. in a couple of days. I've already met with HR & quoted an hourly rate of $30.75 as their best offer. I've done my "research", the dept. is short nurses; they want a nurse to see clients already in SNF's, rather than home visits; & I've obtained the pay schedule from another local hospital's similar dept. (unionized). Even if they gave me 1 yrs credit for every 2 yrs worked, this other hospital's scale would be $34.70/hr. The dept. has several of their nurses including dept. Director, that are familiar with how I provide care to their clients & family members. I recently left a Sub-acute/LTC & had a number of their clients. I've number crunched & find I financially need $31.50, only $0.75/ hr higher. I don't feel this is unrealistic or exhorbitant. I also know this dept. made the hospital's biggest profit last year, yet they pay home care/hospice nurses less than those in the hospital. I want & need this job, I don't want to do what I've been doing. How should I handle this? Should I ask to speak with the dept. Director? What do I do? I need a response quickly. Thank you.

Posts: 47 · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 47 Location: San Diego

Quote:

I've been working as an RN (ADN) consistantly for 25 yrs., excluding maturnity leave, in the metro NY area. I have an appt. with a manager for a hospital-based home care/hospice dept. in a couple of days. I've already met with HR & quoted an hourly rate of $30.75 as their best offer. I've done my "research", the dept. is short nurses; they want a nurse to see clients already in SNF's, rather than home visits; & I've obtained the pay schedule from another local hospital's similar dept. (unionized). Even if they gave me 1 yrs credit for every 2 yrs worked, this other hospital's scale would be $34.70/hr. The dept. has several of their nurses including dept. Director, that are familiar with how I provide care to their clients & family members. I recently left a Sub-acute/LTC & had a number of their clients. I've number crunched & find I financially need $31.50, only $0.75/ hr higher. I don't feel this is unrealistic or exhorbitant. I also know this dept. made the hospital's biggest profit last year, yet they pay home care/hospice nurses less than those in the hospital. I want & need this job, I don't want to do what I've been doing. How should I handle this? Should I ask to speak with the dept. Director? What do I do? I need a response quickly. Thank you.

Ok. Here is the challenge you are facing. Most employers have internal equity. This means that they may already have employees earning the wages they are offering. It makes it difficult for them to offer you more money than someone who is already working for them with less money. So one of the things you will want to figure out during your interview is the experience of the other nurses working there. The more nurses there are whom have more experience than you, the more difficult it will be to get the bump you are looking for.

With that being said, you know that the department is short staffed. This gives you a little leverage. In your case, here is what I would do. In your interview you need to really shine. Get the department manager really excited about the prospect of working with you. Tell her how excited you are abot the job, and how much you see yourself as a long term fit at their facility.

Once they are convinced that hiring you is critical to thier success, you can negotiate with them. Tell them exactly what you wrote above....that you have done yor market research and know that there are better offers out there.

Now...here is the important thing. Tell them that you don't expect them to match the other facilities wages (managers tend to get upset when they think employees are only motivated by money. They think you will jump ship as soon as you get a better offer.), but that their opportunity is not financially viable because you have assessed your own living expenses.

Stress to them how much you need this position, and then ask if they can work with you at all.

Posts: 47 · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 47 Location: San Diego

msmelinda21 wrote:

RN Recruiter wrote:

I am a nurse recruiter. I am not here to promote my business. Instead I am here to provide free career advice. If you have questions about any of the categories listed below let me know.

* How to find your dream job?
* Interview Tips
* How to get leverage when negotiating money?
* How to see past recruiter speak to know if an opportunity is good?
* Make sure you are asking all of the important questions before taking a job.
* What is a fair signing bonus/relocation bonus?
* Anything else you want to know.

hello,
i am a new adn grad. may 2004. i have not taken boards yet, because of complications from back surgery, which i had one week from graduation. i am still currently on disibility. i have nerve damage to my left leg with a drop foot. i am doing a little better, but i have trouble walking for so long or standing for long period of time. i wanted to know what kind of job are available for someone like me, with no RN experience. i do have one year of LVN experience. any info will be helpful.

thanks
melinda blanco,lvn
texas

Unfortunately there are many physical requirements in nursing. I would see your physician to determine what activities he/she are going to restrict you from performing. That would be a way to gauge what positions are indeed vaible for you.

It is illegal for any employer to discriminate against you based on a disability if a physician declares that you are physically able to perform that job. I hate answering a question with a question, but what do you want to do? Do you want a traditional nursing job bad enough to fight through the physical pain/hardships you are likely to experience?

You may wish to try to use the knowledge you have gained from your training in another field. For example, contact hospitals and skilled nursing facilities in your area and ask if they have any positions where your clinical knowledge may come in handy. Is your disability expected to be long-term or short term? If it is long-term, then you should probably seriously consider a change. If it is short term, you can pursue some transitional positions.

Posts: 1 · Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 1 Location: Ohio

I am looking for a recruiting agency who deals with US to Canada relocation for RN's. Any help would be appreciated.

Susan

Posts: 47 · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 47 Location: San Diego

Susan Savastuk wrote:

I am looking for a recruiting agency who deals with US to Canada relocation for RN's. Any help would be appreciated.

Susan

That will be very hard to find. Most staffing agencies are financially motivated. Because Canada has socialized medicine, I have not heard of any agencies that do what you speak of.

Your best bet would be to contact the hospitals you want to work at, and see if they can sponsor you for employment.

Posts: 26 · Joined: 16 Sep 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Ohio

Here's my situation:

I haven't been a nurse for very long, although I am 32 Laughing

I've worked MR/DD for 4 years and I love it, but I can't get the hours that I need. I've been applying everywhere, but not getting the offers. My only experience is MR/DD and a few weeks at a nursing home. I precepted at a surgery center and loved doing recovery, but I'm finding that positions in places like that are pretty much limited to RN's anymore. None of my local hospitals are hiring LPN's anymore--they are phasing them out. I plan to get my RN after I get my personal life more settled (recent divorce), but I need to be working full time NOW.

So my question is, what other options do LPN's have without much experience? I am IV certified also. I prefer to avoid home care because of bad experiences when doing MR/DD home care. I've been turned down for doctor's offices due to lack of office experience, although I also have a business degree. I'm just not sure where to go from here. I don't want to be overly picky, but I don't want to get stuck into a job that I hate either.

Posts: 84 · Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Posts: 84 Location: ohio

i finished with pca (assistant to the RN), and STNA , nurses aid. Am I being premature in attempting to locate a job, as i continue to work toward my RN degree? Is there a great need for assistance for RN's?
I am guessing, it probably only pays about 9/hour but this ok by me.
what suggestions may you have for someone college trained yet not experienced physically, when attempting to land employment? thank you for all suggestions you may have.

Posts: 1 · Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 1 Location: philippines

which state can we work without cgnsf?

Posts: 10 · Joined: 01 Feb 2006 Posts: 10 Location: Midwest

A few questions about your job if I may.
Do you work for a recruitment agency? Or independently?
Is there a website that may offer a business model on recruitment, especially of nurses?
I am a partner in an expert witness recruiting agency and we are updating our business plan, looking for information on recruitment. Interviewing assistance etc. criteria to use and how to measure skills of applicants.
Any suggestions? Thank you in advance for any help.

Posts: 8 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 8 Location: South Carolina

What would you advise for a 52 year old seasoned nurse who is finding that she needs to relocate and start all over? I have had many positions. Currently nursing supervisor for Alzheimer's and Dementia- have done this for 1 year. Previously had gone through all kinds of training for Labor and Delivery, Postpartum . I am diploma graduate RN. I would like to communicate via my email and yours if possible.

Posts: 6 · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Los Angles

can you help me out. im grad this semester and not sure where to go as for job. right now im thinking about or or peds... im a very well rounded person..how do i choose which field..