Re: Pay Scale

Wow, not only am I really blessed to have a job, I'm really blessed for the job I have. I got hired at 31.73/hr in CCU. But I'm on nights, so I get 34.90 the first four hours then 36.49 the last 8 hours. Basically, each shift is 430 bucks.
If I do work an extra shift, it's 1.75 my base rate plus differentials, so 754 a shift.
My benefits are good also, they pay for your health insurance (hmo) for you and your family, as well as vision and dental.

On the other side, I work in a 50 bed ICU that is mostly post-open hearts that can be very intense.

The part of california I live in, you can get a nice home (especially now) for around 200k. Prior to the market crashing, it was closer to 400k for something nice.

We won't get into what's happening to car registration and such...

Based on what I've seen of nursing salaries though, and the importance of our job, I believe many nurses are getting completely slapped in the face. I don't think many nurses realize how much knowledge they have and how important their role is in patient's health. I can't say, with how seriously I take my role, I would necessarily work for 14/ hour, regardless of the cost of living. I believe nurses are worth much more than that and should be adequately compensated!

Re: Pay Scale

So, here in South Cackalacky we make jack. The best paying hospital around pays $22.35/hr for NG, but I'm lucky to work in a hospital that just gave us a $1/hr raise to get me up to a whopping $21.00/hr (with 4 yrs exp.). Yea, our cost of living is low, but come on. The other local hospital pays $18 or $19/hr for NG. Nice, right? I get excited when I'm in charge, precepting, on a Friday/Saturday/Sunday night - $32.00/hr. Does that ever happen...nope.

I guess I shouldn't complain though...at least I have a job! (at least for now)

Re: Pay Scale

Man, I think nurses in the lower paying states need to start forming unions, or something that will help employers realize that wages that low are really not adequate compensation for the amount of knowledge and importance of the job.

Re: Pay Scale

No experience; fresh out of a BSN program;
in Southern Mississippi ICU: $21.79 BASE.

Re: Pay Scale

I'm a new grad and I obtained a position in a great cardiac ICU in Chicago that performs open hearts and transplants. New grads all receive the same rate until they have 1 to 2 years experience. Our starting rate is $27 base plus differential for nights and weekends.

Re: Pay Scale

holy moly!! In MI, we make $24-36/hr. I make $26 in one hospital where I work CTICU, and $36 in another where I work OR. I have been a nurse for 3 years, but was a ST in the OR for 11 years prior...

Re: Pay Scale

Portland,OR - Level 1 Trauma Center: critical care pay scale is $30.95-$44.89, not including shift differentials, etc. I am making ~$40/hr day shift with 15 years experience.

Re: Pay Scale

As a GN going to the ICU I started at $21/hr-day shift, plus a $4 shift differential at night. No trauma or neuro though. Now with two years+ it's $27/hr-days (different hospitals and cities but both in Texas). You should try a different facility.

Re: Pay Scale

I am a new grad RN in La and started out @ $20.55 with evening/night differential in addition to the base. I didn't realize how low Nurses are getting paid in other parts of the country!! I coundn't imagine having to do what I do for less.

Re: Pay Scale

In Indiana, at a specialty hospital with 3 decades of experience, $45/hr is not unexpected. That's week days, not weekends or holidays.