Hourly nurses are paid for every hour they work. Under federal law they earn time-and-a-half for overtime, and they often get extra pay for nights, weekends and holidays. Salaried nurses receive a fix
A clinical ladder is a hospital program that raises your pay as you build skills, earn certifications and take on unit leadership, while you stay at the bedside. You move up through defined levels, us
Most nurse sign-on bonuses are one-time payments that require you to stay for a set period, often one to two years. They are usually paid in installments, and you may have to pay back some or all of t
Ask for a raise by bringing pay data for your specialty and region, a short list of what you've added since your last increase (certifications, charge or precepting duties, measurable results), and a
Negotiating a nursing salary offer comes down to four moves: get the full offer in writing, compare it with local nurse pay for your specialty and experience, counter once with a specific number and c
Per diem nurses usually earn a higher hourly rate than staff nurses in the same facility. That premium exists because per diem roles typically come without health insurance, paid time off, retirement
A shift differential is extra pay a nurse earns for working less popular hours, such as nights, evenings, weekends or holidays. Most employers pay it as a flat dollar amount added to each qualifying h
The real advantages and drawbacks of joining a hospital float pool, how different pools are set up, who tends to thrive in them, and the questions to ask about pay, scheduling and competencies before
A counteroffer can make sense if pay was your only reason for leaving and the new terms are in writing. Learn how to judge a counteroffer from your hospital, what to ask, and how to accept or decline
How nurse retention bonuses usually work: who qualifies, how payouts are scheduled, what a repayment clause can cost you, how taxes and overtime are affected, and what to read before you sign the agre
How holiday pay usually works for nurses: premium pay for working a holiday, paid time for holidays off, how the holiday period is defined for night shift, rotations, and what to check in your policy
How local travel nurse contracts work, how they compare with traditional travel, per diem and staff jobs, why stipends usually don't apply, and how to judge whether a local offer is worth it.