Negotiating pay when I have been out of work - first time posting

A recruiter asked for my salary expectations on a first call as I look for work as a nurse's aide. Any experience at all would help. I looked up ranges in Knoxville and they vary a lot. Does giving a range hurt?

I gave a range based on local postings and said I was flexible depending on the whole package. They did not push back.

Check several sources for pay in Knoxville, then pick a range where the low end is one you can live with.