[BBFRN]

$19/hr for new grads is correct, and the cost of living is pretty low in Louisville. There are lots of hospitals in the area, so you'll have no problem getting a job. You can Google these for a start:

Kosair is the level 1 trauma peds hospital. Great people working there, and they are a Magnet hospital.

Norton owns Kosair, as well as a couple other hospitals (Audubon, Suburban), medical groups, and intermediate care centers. I'm partial to Norton downtown, though. The ratios there are great, because it has was built with lot of 10 bed pods. Plus, the people there are extremely likeable.

If you want to do adult level 1 trauma, check out U of L hospital. I worked there for years, and loved it before I got burned out on trauma. The ER is top notch, and extremely busy. They're the only level 1 in the region. If you're a type A personality who likes to run on adrenaline, then that's the place for you. They've got some of the smartest nurses I've ever known there, too.

There's also Jewish Hospital. They're a private hospital, though- and extremely customer service oriented. Not my cup of tea, since most of my experience has been in non-profit hospitals, but there are some nice people there.

There are more hospitals, but that should get you started on a job search. All of the above have websites that can tell you more. Good luck!

[Mercy83]

Is that rate before passing NCLEX or after? I've heard from several people that they will recieve raises after passing the NCLEX. This stuff is so stressful, especially if they drop the loan forgiveness program. UGH!!!

[BBFRN]

Originally Posted by Mercy83

Is that rate before passing NCLEX or after? I've heard from several people that they will recieve raises after passing the NCLEX. This stuff is so stressful, especially if they drop the loan forgiveness program. UGH!!!

That's after the NCLEX, from what I know. Yes, the Loan Forgiveness is soon to be a thing of the past, unfortunately. The good news is that all the hospitals here offer tuition reimbursement or loan buybacks.

[Mercy83]

my friend recently graduated and started working at alocal hospital about 6 weeks ago. She started at 20 bucks an hour. Thats pretty decent starting wage for Louisville. Cost of living here is pretty good.....not counting gas prices!!!!!! Can but a really nice home in 80 - 100,000 dollar range. My brother builds houses and I'm planning on doing that myself after graduation. Louisville is also a wide open market for anyone with entrpreneual spirit! Go CARDS!!!

[openheartmary]

I don't know about Louisville specifically. My opinion is that Kentucky nurses earn far less than the national average. This is especially true for areas where there are several nursing schools turning out nurses. It's all about supply and demand. Thankfully, the nursing shortage has not hit hard here, but that keeps our earnings down as well.

[Cay]

Call the human resources dept. of the hospitals you are interested in. You will get the most accurate information and take the guess out of the pay scale.

[crb613]

My friend works at Baptist East, & started out ~ $20-$21/hr.

[savingangels]

Kevin

I will be completing school in August, my classmates have been job hunting and most have reported that new grads are being offered 19.50 an hr plus shift diffs and most area hospitals do not have weekend diffs.

Tracy

[palee]

I, too, am graduating and August and have been looking at all the options around Louisville. I have found that most offer between $20 & $21/hr starting with night and weekend shift difs (some places will stack them; some will not). I think Jewish has a 15% of base pay shift dif, and most of the others have set addt'l rates for nights & weekends. The VA hospital is the only one that I know of that offers a higher rates for a BSN new grad than a ADN new grad, plus you get federal benefits and transferability of all of your benefits to any VA facility nationwide, plus full licensure at any VA facility, regardless of the state in which you hold your nursing license. Norton is the only one that I know of that has 12-hour 'second shifts' available (11 am - 11 pm). Baptist East supposedly has 24/7 discounted child care available.


Decisions, decisions!! Good luck to you!

[Notmywil]

Here's a suggestion:
There are a number of hospitals in Louisville:

Norton Healthcare
Baptist Hospital East
Jewish Hospital
University of Louisville
Louisville Veterans Administration

Contact them directly and ask for information. Let them recruit you!