Of course every new nurse is concerned with what they will be making at their first job, but what many fail to realize, is that other factors of the job are often more important. Experience is the most surefire way to get a higher salary, but even a top paying job can be a nightmare if the working conditions are less than satisfactory. Nothing is worse than dreading going to work everyday because of the conditions, the lack of equipment, the lack of adequate facilities, or even just the terrible parking situation. And don’t forget that although you work in healthcare, you still need a good insurance package — think about your future child or your bad teeth when considering a new position.
Nurses are in high demand these days, even those straight out of nursing school. If you are a fresh grad, look for positions in an area that interest you, but be open to jobs in other related fields if the package is worthwhile. For the most part, a hospital is going to tell you what they will pay you, and as a newbie, you have little to no negotiating power. However, if you have a solid education and good recommendations, you may be able to ask for different options in your benefits package — such as tuition reimbursement for continuing education. This will also prove to your employer that you are serious about this career and want to keep up to date on all new information in the industry.
If you are an experienced nurse looking for a new position, you have a bit more weight to throw around, especially if you work in a specialty field. Again, the salary is the hardest thing to negotiate, but look for a place that has quality insurance and will pay the majority of your premiums. Ask for the hours that make your life the most comfortable and query about a coveted parking space. Chances are, if a hospital is openly looking for someone of your caliber, they are in desperate need and will do what they can to make you happy.
When searching for a new job, consider looking in a variety of different places geographically. Travel nursing by far offers the best nurse benefits, but short term contracts and being on the road does not suit everyone. Scrubs magazine rated the top six hospitals for nursing benefits and found them to be scattered across the country. Stanford Medical Center was ranked number one, for its whopping eleven paid holidays, your birthday included, 3 weeks of paid vacation, and on-site childcare/pre-school. In addition, they offer help with carpooling, a free shuttle to transport you around campus, and a work/life center for all healthcare employees. The other hospitals listed, in order of rank, were Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Methodist Hospital System, OhioHealth, the Mayo Clinic, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. All of these hospitals have excellent benefit packages, among other specifics, and have a job growth rate of anywhere between 4-11%. Does your current job give you the benefits you need?
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