In georgia as a new graduate specializing in pediatrics the pay is 18.64 an hour plus $5 more an hour for weekends and I am not too sure about how much more the shift differencial is. The average starting salary is $18 an hour. I hope I can get more eventually. How about Massachusetts? Does anyone know about their pay scale. My sister in law is telling me about 10 thousand dollar sign on bonuses and 24 dollars an hour to start. I know they are unionized there. Is there a big differnce with unions? Georgia does not have a nurse union. I am unfamiliar with unions. Canada sounds good.

OMG, now I know why I work agency $40-45.00/hr.

Wouldn't it be nice if we all banded together? This is a big problem, we don't stand up for ourselves as a whole. We are more important in our patients care, NOT physicians. WE are the eyes and the ears, recognizing catastrophies before they happen and so why do we make sooooo much less? I'm sorry you got me on a rant! Now, I need a fountain Diet Coke
I started nursing in 1988 at 12.44/hr. Now think about how long ago that was and compare it to new grad rates now.....IT SUCKS.
They can't do it without us folks. (yike, don't anyone call me Norma Rae either)
Oh, my pay rate now is 25.23/hr plus second shift differential pay and four hours each night of night shift differential. I get an extra one dollar and hour to be a shift leader. YIPPEEEE!
Okay, back to bed....
Smooches to all. (oh work in an ED, no diff in pay to work the specialty units here)

bad bird, does that include housing or health bene's ? We pay agency 45-65 dollars per hour. I'm amazed that they put so much back in the nurses pocket! Good for you!!!!!

In Memphis, TN @ THE Regional Medical Center the base salary without shift & weekend differential is $19.52. Shift diff is $2.00 for 3-11 & $3.00 11-7. Weekend diff is 15% of base. This is for a new graduate in ICU or anywhere.

I'm an RN in a CCU in Dayton, OH with three years of experience, in the same unit. Right now, I'm making $18.05 per hour, NO benfits, part time, two 12-hour shifts per week. Next week my status will change to "resource" (prn help) with a contract to work two 12-hour shifts per week for $28.00 per hour, NO benfits. To me, nothing changes, but I get paid more, and I only have to work one major and one minor holiday a year instead of two majors and two minors.
What gives?

I live in Florida (notoriously low pay scale). Just got offered a job in the PCCU at a community hospital (RN with no cardiac experience) - $24/hr with a 3000 sign on bonus. It seems RN pay varies greatly. Good Luck!!!!

I started working in Tuscaloosa, AL as a new graduate RN BSN a little over a year ago in a cardiac surgical unit. My starting pay was 15.00 an hour with 2.00 evening and 2.50 night shift differential. We had a hospital wide RN raise about 4 months after I started working of $1 extra/hr, bringing starting RN pay to 16.00/hr. In addition, differential pay increased 50 cents for both evening and night. I was told the hospital was trying to bring our pay scale in line with hospitals in Birmingham, AL. I have heard from friends that new RNs start out around 17.00/hr in Birmingham with comparable differential pay to what I get.

In central NJ the starting pay is anywhere from $21/hr-$26/hr. Housing cost also vary according to area. North/central NJ expensive. South NJ less expensive. Central where I am average house at least (not new) $300,000, taxes about $6000
Experienced nurses with certification are being paid about $33-35 for hospital employees and much higher for agency/travelers

trauma: I am from Tn. too
I'm an LPN x 11yrs. work in a Dr.'s office Mon-Fri. no weekends/holidays. I'm the only nurse. We have a staff of 4 which includes the Dr. I make 13.00/hr. The pay sucks. But the stress is a minimum. I read these posts and think MAN! I need to move. But the extra money isnt enough for me to move away from my family. I guess you could say I am too comfortable with my pay, my job and my life to make any changes. Its not always a money thing that makes people happy. Granted it helps. But I'll just stay here for now.