7 Effective Strategies To Negotiate Your Salary As A New Grad Nurse


Written By: Darby FaubionDarby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Darby lives in Louisiana and loves exploring the state’s rich culture and history. Darby has a passion for caring for veterans and a special interest in those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. In her quest to make a difference for veterans, she founded a non-profit called “Operation Battle Buddy.” Read Full Bio »»
RN, BSN, MBA

It is an exciting time when you graduate nursing school and prepare to join the nursing workforce. Amid all the excitement, it is important to prepare for what lies ahead by knowing what to expect, including knowing how to negotiate your salary. At this point in your journey, it is normal to wonder, "What are effective strategies for negotiating your salary as a new grad nurse?”

I understand what it feels like to be a new nurse graduate searching for the perfect job. I also know what it is like to be the person who makes hiring decisions and works with the administration to determine hiring practices and guidelines, including salary ranges. In this article, I will share 7 effective strategies to negotiate your salary as a new grad nurse.



What Are Effective Strategies For Negotiating Your Salary As A New Grad Nurse?

(The following are the 7 effective strategies to negotiate your salary as a new grad nurse.)


STRATEGY #1: Do Some Research

One of the top strategies to negotiate your salary as a new grad nurse is to research the salary range for nurses in your area. Salaries may vary depending on where you live and the setting where you work. For example, nurses who live in geographical areas with a higher cost of living typically earn higher wages. Additionally, some settings, including emergency or other high-risk areas and administrative positions may offer higher salaries.

I recommend researching nursing salaries for a few reasons. First, if you know what other nurses with your experience in the same positions are earning, you can feel confident when discussing and negotiating your salary with hiring managers. Also, doing your research shows attention to detail, a characteristic prospective employers appreciate. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is an excellent resource for nursing salaries.


STRATEGY #2: Showcase Any Experiences You Have

As a new nurse graduate, you may worry about whether your lack of work experience could impact your ability to negotiate a good salary. With the right approach, you can leverage your knowledge, skills, and prior experiences to your advantage, even if you have not worked as a nurse before.

Think about the things you learned in nursing school. Begin by highlighting soft skills you developed, including effective communication, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork, which are critical to success in nursing. Next, be prepared to talk about internships and externships. For instance, discuss details about your clinical rotations, including any specialties or settings related to the positions you are applying for. Share examples of how you managed time during your clinical practicum to ensure your assignments and patient care were completed effectively and on time.


STRATEGY #3: Create a Professional Portfolio

Creating a professional portfolio is a good idea for anyone who wants to stand out. As a new nurse graduate, however, it may feel daunting. Keep in mind that you don’t have to make a portfolio complicated to make it effective.

Start out by creating a clear structure for your portfolio. Include sections such as an introduction, your resume, a list of certifications, examples of work you have completed, and contact information. Detail any clinical experience you have, whether in school or work and any volunteer work relevant to healthcare. Something that may seem simple to you, like volunteering at the local food bank or serving at a community health fair, shows your interest in serving others, and employers love that!

Document your achievements, including any honors, recognition, or awards you received in school. Finally, remember that your portfolio should be updated regularly to reflect any new skills, accomplishments, or work experiences.


STRATEGY #4: Provide Strong References

Another good strategy to negotiate your salary as a new grad nurse is to provide strong references. Whether you have healthcare-related work experience or not, if you think about it carefully, you know people who will make great references.

As a nurse and former healthcare manager, I suggest talking to nursing instructors, clinical faculty, and preceptors. These individuals have experience as nurses and have had the opportunity to see you as you have learned and implemented nursing knowledge and skills. Experienced faculty and preceptors can gauge whether you have what it takes to be a good nurse. If they feel confident about your abilities, they are usually quite happy to provide a positive reference for you.

Ask former employers if they are willing to write a letter of recommendation for you. Who better to speak about whether you are a team player, have leadership qualities, and are dependable than someone you worked for before, right?


STRATEGY #5: Be Confident

It is common for new nurses to feel anxious or lack self-confidence, especially when it comes to negotiating their salaries. As a nurse who has worked in management positions, I encourage you to be confident about who you are and what you bring to the table.

From my experience in nursing education, if you did not have the knowledge and skills you need to do the job, you would not have graduated from your nursing program or passed the NCLEX-RN to obtain your license. Let me also assure you that no good nurse manager expects a new nurse graduate to know everything. Hiring managers look for someone who is confident about who they are and willing to grow and learn. If you are confident, you can advocate for yourself and will have a better chance of negotiating the salary you really want.


STRATEGY #6: Be Flexible

I believe an important strategy to negotiate your salary as a new grad nurse is to be flexible. Flexibility in negotiating your salary does not mean you cannot get a good offer. It simply means being willing to give and take. When it comes down to talking about the specifics of a job and negotiating your salary, there are a few things to consider. Before your interview or final appointment with the hiring manager, think about not only the salary you want but also what other benefits are important to you.

For instance, many employers offer compensation packages that include benefits such as health insurance, paid time off for vacation or sick leave, continuing education stipends, or student loan repayment options. If you know what benefits the employer offers and compare what those benefits would cost if you paid them out of pocket, you may be willing to accept a lower salary in exchange. At the end of the day, the decision is yours, but going into the meeting informed is the best way to negotiate a salary on your terms.


STRATEGY #7: Present Yourself in a Professional Manner

When you begin your job search, one of the main things prospective employers pay close attention to is your level of professionalism. Professionalism is reflected not only in how you dress but also in how you talk and act. When it comes to negotiating your salary, you should maintain a professional attitude. If you have questions about the starting salary and benefits, ask the interviewer. Avoid coming across as put off by their answers if you do not like what they say. If you feel the salary you are offered is inadequate, but you want the job, consider a counteroffer, but do so respectfully. I can tell you from personal experience that I would rather hire someone at a higher pay rate who knows their worth and approaches me with respect for my position than someone who shows little interest and has a poor attitude!


My Final Thoughts


I remember what it felt like when I began my job search as a new nurse and how intimidating it felt. Since then, I have learned that with the right approach, you can find a job that pays your desired salary. It is natural to wonder, “What are effective strategies for negotiating your salary as a new grad nurse?"

In this article, I shared 7 effective strategies to negotiate your salary as a new grad nurse. With these simple strategies, you can go confidently into a job interview ready to discuss your qualities and why you are a good fit for the job and negotiate the salary you want.


List Of Sources Used For This Article


1. Salary Information and Advice @ NursingProcess.org
2. “Occupational Outlook Handbook” (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
3. “Professional Portfolio: Tips and Examples for 2024” (resumehead.com)


Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.