New grad salaries in the Denver area

U.S.A. Colorado

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Have heard that new grad nurses are only making $19 an hour in the Denver area. Can anyone confirm this? It seems pretty low. I am thinking about moving to Denver from New Mexico but I am concerned that I can't afford it if this true.

Thanks,

K

Specializes in ICU, Med-Surg, Post-op, Same-Day Surgery.
As a new grad (started in Feb '06) I am making $20.50 + any differentials. This is at UCH in Denver.

Does anyone have any updated info on the starting pay for new grads at University of Colorado Hospital? Thanks!

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As of now $22.50.

Does anyone have any updated info on the starting pay for new grads at University of Colorado Hospital? Thanks!
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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

These are some ridiculously low salaries unless there is a $3-5/hr raise after the first year.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
These are some ridiculously low salaries unless there is a $3-5/hr raise after the first year.

I believe it's a $1 raise, but don't hold me to it.

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

Nurses with one year of experience working in Denver for less than 45K/yr... meanwhile hospitals continue to demand BSNs. Yeesh...

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I'm a new grad RN (BSN) working in LTC and I'm getting $26 to start. The down side is the benefits suck, but fortunately I don't need health insurance through my job. But time off is pretty limited.

The market is based on supply and demand and right now the supply of new grad nurses is huge in comparison to the demand. I'm just happy to have a full-time job, even though it's definitely not my first choice, with a good pay rate.

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Izzy11, was it hard to even find a job in LTC? Do you feel that it was an advantage to have your BSN vs ADN to get a job in LTC? How long did it take to get a job after graduating?

I am going to school and of course am in the same boat of worrying about job placement. Congrats on the job you do have, I am sure that the experience will lead to more opportunities in the future!

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Specializes in GI.

I just graduated LPN-RN school. My current employer pays new grads $31 an hour. Good luck finding jobs out there. If I wasnt already employed as an LPN for two years they would not have hired me as a new Grad.

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Izzy11, was it hard to even find a job in LTC? Do you feel that it was an advantage to have your BSN vs ADN to get a job in LTC? How long did it take to get a job after graduating?

I am going to school and of course am in the same boat of worrying about job placement. Congrats on the job you do have, I am sure that the experience will lead to more opportunities in the future!

I graduated in mid-May and I got hired at the end of June, although it was part-time to start (two days a week). I got upped to full-time at the end of August. Based on my experience and that of some other people I've talked to, it's all a matter of timing with LTCs. You have to apply when they are looking to hire. I don't know that having a BSN made a difference, but it's hard to say. They never mentioned the BSN. I think the RN versus LPN definitely made a difference because they want to have a certain number of RNs because of the differences in scope of practice. Plus RNs can move up to supervisory positions.

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I live in Colorado Springs and as a new grad with associate degree I make $26 an hour night shift 11p-7a. I also work a prn job only weekend days 6a-6p and I make $31 + $2 diff so $33 hour. I graduated from a school in Denver and friends I have that live there all make over $22 an hour. It helps when theres a differential pay for evening,nights, or weekends.

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"I just graduated LPN-RN school. My current employer pays new grads $31 an hour. Good luck finding jobs out there. If I wasnt already employed as an LPN for two years they would not have hired me as a new Grad."

Brenan - where do you work??

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I just graduated LPN-RN school. My current employer pays new grads $31 an hour. Good luck finding jobs out there. If I wasnt already employed as an LPN for two years they would not have hired me as a new Grad.

Where is it you work?? I am hoping to move to Denver in June. I don't know if I'll be able to afford to live there if I have to survive off of $20/hr. I get $17 with a $1 differential as an LPN right now in Arizona. I have friends who have RN jobs making at least $25 some closer to $30, and some even over $35 (newer grads). And cost of living here isn't expensive.

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