[margaretmary]

From the HRSA report 7/2002 Projected Supply, Demand, and Shortages of Registered Nurses:2000-2020
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce...ct/default.htm


Declines in Relative Earnings:
Salaries are likely playing a role in the declining supply of RNs. While actual earnings for RNs increased steadily from 1983 through 2000, “real” earnings -- the amount available after adjusting for inflation -- have been relatively flat since 1991. Thus, on average, RNs have seen no increase in purchasing power over the last 9 years. (See Chart 7) In contrast, the average salary for elementary school teachers has always been greater than that for RNs and is growing at a faster pace. [2] .In 1983, the average elementary school teacher earned about $4,400 more than the average RN; by 2000 this had grown to the point where elementary school teachers earned about $13,600 more. [3]

It makes me pretty darn angry. Can you believe it!
And teachers have better retirement benefits to boot! I'm amazed there are any nurses left

[shygirl]

They do not make more than me! We have a superb retirement that we don't even have to contribute too if we don't want. Find a different place to work!
Shygirl

[sjoe]

Ok, Shygirl, you are special and the hell with the rest of us.

Margaret: And how did the teachers get and stay ahead? Organizing, striking, and raising hell. There may be a lesson here somewhere for nurses.

[shygirl]

Originally posted by sjoe
Ok, Shygirl, you are special and the hell with the rest of us.

Shame,shame! Haven't you been reading all the other threads about how SOME people see a reply and automatically think that it is their right to say something nasty to the writer?

By the way, why to do you say the "rest of us"? All of a sudden You are the voice of all members here? Why didn't you just say "The hell with Me"?
Thanks, Shygirl

[mrh1953]

Just what *are* the salaries these days? I've been out of nursing for years. Am thinking of returning and haven't a clue as to what's being paid for what these days.

Ouch! Watch those flames, please. This is one of the best sites I've ever visited because of its singular lack of flaming.

Ta.

[imenid37]

HMM? aren't teachers also off almost 3 months of the year in most districts? a hard job to be sure, but no shifts or weekends. i am not a big fan of the teachers and their salary woes(avg salary around her for teacher in one district last year $55k w/ no nites, no w/e's, no work from approx. 6/5-825 plus many other days off thru-out the year) . that is my opinion. i know others feel diffferently.i agree unions may have a lot to do w/ it. i also think people view what teachers do and know exactly what it is that they do, as important, while many think nurses are just second rate drs. servants. like i said, it's my opinion and i know others differ. i do not make the avg. teacher's salary. i make about 10k less for base, but w/ all of my overtime and diffs, i make about 50k. i have 15 yrs. of experience about the same as the avg. teacher. though i do not have ms degree like many teachers, i do have bsn and two specialty certifications. i think, incidentally, that many nursing instructors are not making the same amt. as a lot of our public school teachers.

[cheerfuldoer]

Hmmmmmmm....sounds like I need to return to teaching!

[margaretmary]

1. The point is this a government study and is credible.

2. It studied "nurses" and found an "average". (So shygirl congrats you are on the high end, the majority of us are not)

3. Nurses "real" wages have not, I repeat, NOT INCREASED in the last 10 YEARS!!! Elementary teachers wages have increase about $1,000 each year. That's not including benefits. ( Shygirl check your retirement package and see if it offers health benefits with prescription coverage)

4. And shygirl while I may not agree with the way sjoe said it your response does show a disconcerting lack of concern about the "average" nurses who make up the majority of the profession

5. The unionized hospital aren't much better off, from what I've seen

6. mrh1953 according to the study nurses average $41,000/12mo., teachers $54,700

7. imenid I could be wrong but I don't think you need a Masters to be an elementary school teacher

[shabookitty]

I stopped teaching high school in 2001...to pursue my love for nursing. In Georgia, first year teachers average 29,000. This is a set scale for the state...then, in addition they are paid a local supplement. Unfortunately, my husband teaches in a low economic area...so his supplement is only $500 a month. Some folks can earn up to $3000 in local supplements if they live in a larger area. After your third or fourth year teaching you can receive a step increase. Which is around 32,000 I think. Typically, each year the Gov has been giving a 2-3 % raise. This year he did not. In Georgia, I have found that nurses average more money. Teachers do not have the option of overtime...and holidays for extra income. And yes they work pretty dog-on hard too! I found myself busy with school events ALL the time. And, I never left the school until after 5 or 6 M-F. Only to take home papers to grade or go home to create tests or lesson plans. So nights and weekends are always involved. And there always field trips with TONS of kids, football games, clubs, PTO meetings, etc!...whew! Summers involve Staff Development Units that can go on for weeks. These units are required. It is neverending. Georgia's school systems are in such a mess...and teachers are unhappy. And leaving the field too. It's sad. I have complete admiration for teachers. They earn their pay if not more. At least in my opinion. Everyone is entitled to their own! Please get Barnes out of office!

[Carleigh]

Ok, here goes. Former teacher here who after 14 yrs. of teaching only earned $35,000 and the 2 mos.(not 3mos. Teachers start back in Aug. here and don't get out until late June) off in the summer were without pay so if you wanted to survive and not get a summer job you had better stretch that salary out to 12 mos. Also the school day didn't end when the students left. There were club meetings, committee meetings, remedial work, recertification courses to take, etc. all without any pay. Many evenings and weekends are spent on lesson planning and paper grading. Yes, you get a plan period during the day but that is spent making copies, returning phone calls, typing out tests and handouts, and covering for teachers that are out sick since no substitute can be found. Granted all of the above is not why anyone goes into teaching, they go into it for the children but it does touch a nerve when some(not anyone here, I'm sure) think teachers lounge around the pool all summer. I'm sure the salaries are much better in states that allow unions. I have switched to nursing and hope to have a good second career. At least my body is already trained to stand all day, not get a decent lunch break not to mention no other breaks, and to not go to the bathroom for 8 hrs. : ) Also remember that statistics can be very misleading.