So this nurse applied for a job that offers $25/hr and a $7500 signing bonus.
He asked for $30/hr and deny the signing bonus and wants to work nights/weekends/holidays which of course has a pay differential. We're trying to decide if it makes sense in our mind.
Thoughts?

Are you the employer?

He just didn’t come up with that on a whim. It’s a calculated negotiation that will benefit him financially. The real question is, will his skill, work ethic and dedication benefit the employer equally?

If he gets the 30 an hour he will have to work 1500 hours to get the 7500 bonus he passed on. 1500 hours is roughly 3/4 of a work year. Hard to say with the weekends holidays and night shifts. Depends on how they pay for that.

I am not the employer. Nursing home in Topeka. He currently makes $25 but wants a different workplace.

How long does he have to remain employed to get the signing bonus? The employer certainly has some specified retention period to qualify for the bonus.

If given the choice between the 2 I would rather have the 30 and the overtime shifts. I trade hours of my life for $ so want to get the most for my time and that's the best option to do that. Smart move by him.

as the Boss is his position and skill set worth that Wage, do you have a hard time filling the shifts he wants to work or is there always others stepping up to get the premiums those shifts pay?

Next how is his work ethic and mind set. Will he be someone helpful and positive with other employees or negative and bring drama into whe work place.

If I was the employer and needed a nurse to work evenings and weekends - I would have hired him yesterday. 30 an hour is low for a nurse

Its not a mathematical problem at all. The math says its a no-brainer....
Take the $30/hr

I would go for $30 an hour plus the sign on bonus. Wanting nights/weekends/holidays is to your negotiating favor. Nobody usually wants to work those shifts. That’s why they offer a differential.

Good points. I'm sure the bonus isn't upfront.
The place is understaffed as is most so they will likely hire anyone who comes in the door.
Our local rural hospital currently has openings for lab techs, xray techs, nurses, and nobody has applied for a month. Know any of these looking?

I figure there would be a raise coming soon if he works out to be good.

My brother worked 2–12-hour weekend shifts and got paid for 40 hours. If he worked during the week, overtime pay. My sister in-law's sister is a traveling nurse and made north of $200,000 last year.

Calculating net present value is how you compare differing scenarios. The math is relatively simple and in my opinion is an important skill to master.

Well if you think about it, $5.00 x 40 ( normal work week) is $200.00 x 52 is 10,400.00.
Now add weekend bonuses, and night bonuses plus holiday pay , you could bring in an extra $ 5-8 ,000. If not more.

If you get it up front a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Got to see the rest of the contract to see how long the hourly rate is locked in benefits etc and how big a raise each year.,Cola clause etc.

It makes good sense if he plans to be employed there for at least 37.5 weeks.

Based on the information you have provided, its a no brainer. In the first year he would make $2900 more then the bonus, on basic full time hours. On the second year he would make an additional $10,400, on basic full time hours. The signing bonus is smoke and mirrors as many folks will jump at the quick money instead of doing some basic math.

Yes, assuming they give in to the 30 bucks...

You couldn't hire a nurse for 30 bucks here...

What about income taxes? The big shot in the beginning as opposed to being spread out over time.

Good point more taxes on a one time payment than one spread out over time.