Tips for Negotiating Nurse Salary

Perhaps graduating is looming and you’re searching for your first nursing job, or perhaps it’s time for a change in your healthcare facility. Regardless of why you’re searching for a nursing job, it is extremely important that you know your worth and you understand how to portray that value to potential employers when negotiating nurse salary. We’ve compiled a list of tips for negotiating nurse salaries to ensure that you get everything you deserve for the important service you provide in healthcare. 

Nurse salary is negotiable 

Did you know that you can negotiate the nursing salary that is offered to you by a potential employer? It’s true. You don’t have to simply accept what is provided. Not only is the base nurse salary negotiable, but so are the nursing benefits that come with the job such as sign-on bonuses, days off, breaks, schedule, retirement benefits, tuition reimbursement, mental health counseling, relocation expenses, bonuses, and other items. 

According to a 2024 Nurse Salary Research Report conducted by Nurse.com, more nurses are realizing the importance of nurse salary negotiations. 17% of all nurses surveyed said they never negotiate their salaries when starting in a new nursing job which is down from 31% of nurses in 2022. 

Millennials (39%) and Generation X (37%) nurses from all license types are more likely to negotiate nurse salary, whereas 48% of Generation Z nurses said they negotiate either rarely or never.

Negotiating nursing salaries can result in higher compensation, and higher job satisfaction overall. But what do you need to know to negotiate well? 

Tips for negotiating nurse salary

It’s normal to feel intimated about negotiating nurse salary, especially if you’re new to a nursing career or transitioning into a higher level nursing position. However, knowing how to advocate for yourself is essential to long-term reaching your long-term financial goals and increasing your job satisfaction. Whether you are a new nursing school graduate or a seasoned nursing professional, here are practical tips to help you prepare for and gain confidence as you work through nursing salary discussions. 

1. Conduct Research

Before entering any type of negotiation, you need to gather information on typical nurse salaries in your area, specialty, and experience level. Websites like Glassdoor, Payscale, Indeed, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics provide useful benchmarks and provide valuable knowledge. You should also consider reaching out to professional nursing associations or talking with nurse mentors and nursing school educators who might be able to provide more tailored insights.

2. Know Your Value

Evaluate your experience, certifications, education level, and any special skills that may set you apart. For example, nurses with certifications such as CCRN or NP credentials or higher education levels (RN vs. LPN) will generally command higher salaries. Document ALL of your achievements and how they contribute to patient care, efficiency, or leadership within your organization. Having an accurate view of yourself and being able to paint this picture for employers will show your confidence and your ability to perform successfully on the job. 

3. Time Your Ask Strategically

You want to be strategic about asking for more. If possible, time your salary negotiation when you're being offered a new position or during your performance review rather than coming to your boss out of the blue and asking for more. These moments naturally lend themselves to discussing compensation. Coming prepared with data and accomplishments will strengthen your case.

4. Be Professional and Positive

Approach the nurse salary negotiation conversation with professionalism and a collaborative tone. Express your enthusiasm for the role and appreciation for the opportunity, but also clearly outline your salary expectations based on your qualifications and market standards. Showcase your willingness to work together with the employer to come up with a resolution that suits you both.

5. Consider the Full Compensation Package

While nurse salary is important, don't overlook the value of benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, tuition reimbursement, shift schedules, mental health counseling and paid time off. If salary flexibility is limited, you may be able to negotiate for additional perks or scheduling preferences that will provide additional benefits overall and aid in more job satisfaction.

6. Practice Your Pitch

Rehearsing what you want to say can give you more confidence and help reduce any nervousness you’re feeling. Write down your talking points, rehearse in the mirror, and even role-play with a trusted colleague or friend. While you may feel silly, these actions will help prepare you to answer questions about your salary expectations and professional contributions.

7. Be Prepared to Negotiate—And Walk Away If Necessary

Often, the first offer won’t meet your expectations. Don’t get discouraged, but be ready to counteroffer respectfully, and know your bottom line. If the terms aren’t acceptable and there’s no room for movement, you can and should walk away and seek opportunities that better align with what you are worth. There will be other opportunities and you should not feel pressured to take the offer simply because it’s what is in front of you. You are worth it, and you will thank yourself later for standing up for yourself. 

Nursing education is key to commanding higher salaries

We mentioned above that “your experience, certifications, education level, and any special skills” can help increase your value in the eyes of employers. It can be hard to go back to school to obtain advanced nursing education when you’re working in healthcare, but it’s not impossible. 

Companies like Achieve Test Prep, provide nurses with a way to fast track nursing education in an LPN to RN Bridge program, LPN to BSN Bridge program, CNA to RN Bridge program, or other Nursing Bridge program by completing live, online classes when it is convenient for them and earning credit by exam for general education and prerequisite nursing courses. 

How Achieve works

With Achieve, you’ll attend online test prep courses from the comfort of home. You’ll receive expert support from live instructors and education advisors. You’ll connect with a community of like-minded nursing students who are working through the same challenges to earn a degree. Achieve cuts out the excessive homework, quizzes, projects and other coursework — allowing you to focus on what you need to know to pass your exam and earn credit that will transfer to the accredited nursing school of your choice.

Achieve also offers tutoring support once you enter your core nursing school program, meaning that you’ll always have support behind you if classes get tough or you need additional help understanding some of the material you’re learning. 

You are worth it

The most important thing when negotiating your nurse salary, after obtaining the proper licensing and credentials for the job, is to know your worth as a nurse. You are an extremely valuable part in the healthcare system. Nurses provide care, and also comfort patients. Nurses build a relationship with patients that can affect treatment and healing. Your job is essential, and you deserve to have a nurse salary and benefits package that meets your needs, becasue you are worth it!