You are still a nurse even if you don’t fit the mold.

Nurses worldwide are 28 million strong.

We can literally change the world.

Let's stand united, not divided.

You are a nurse even if you:

• Work bedside or work non-bedside

• Worked for 40 years or worked for 40 days

• Worked straight through or took a career break

• Went into nursing as your first or fifth career

• Your official title is “nurse” or something else

JOBSEEKING TIPS

My first salary negotiation

I was always interested in pay transparency before it was a thing.

I remember calling NP clinics to ask what the pay range was when deciding if I should go to NP school (didn’t end up going).

I had a job offer as an educator at a rehab facility. I asked them to match what I was currently making, and they did-it was a $15k raise. I didn’t end up taking the job due to multiple past employees telling me about nepotism and a toxic work culture.

Which leads me to my second salary negotiation. While they didn’t budge on the annual salary (it wasn’t hourly), I asked for other things:

• More vacation/PTO to match (I think I asked for and got 6 weeks)

• Waiving the 3 month waiting period on my benefits (so they would take effect immediately)

• Increased educational budget

• Later start date by 3 weeks (I highly recommend a buffer between jobs, especially if you are leaving a stressful one, even if it’s unpaid)

P.S. One slightly uncomfortable conversation can lead to a 5-figure increase in your salary-what’s the worst that can happen?