[cheerfuldoer]

I know a RN who has worked in Med/Surg for 9 1/2 years, and just started a new job in the midwest making $23.00/hour! Do you think that is too little per hour for nurses who have over eight or nine years experience?

Personally, I think it isn't enough. Your thoughts appreciated! Thanks!

[TriageRN_34]

OUCH..that is what I get for 5 years, 2 years at my current job..and that is too low (but pays my bills and is close...so I comprimised).

But I purposely don't ask what others make...I don't want to know really...I will just be happy with paying my bills and a little extra . Oh and that and I won't go back to hospital ever, so I am doomed for a lower pay...

[cheerfuldoer]

The nurse I'm talking about works in St. Louis, MO. She said the hospital only pays for "actual months worked"....not years as a nurse. What the bleep bleep is that???? How dare they!


How many other hospitals pay for "actual months worked" instead of number of years as a nurse?

[TriageRN_34]

One...I love your signature..I use that in my daily life!
Two...I am just hearing posts about MO and how hard it is to be an RN there! WOW! Guess there isn't a nursing shortage now there (according to another poster there isn't one there at all..finding work is hard!), there will be when nurses keep moving out of state to gain decent wages~!

My wage may not be great..but it fits me okay for now. I am valuable to my clients, and although it doesn't pay all that wonderfully compaired, well I work with the elders of my community...everyone knows everyone..well for some reason it pays off . I think of leaving frequently..but I would so miss those folks, and I think they would miss me, and be at a seirous lack without me too..even if it is just for the laughter I bring!

But a nurse with that much experience...sheesh, I know they make more here with that many years in dependant on field (like a clinical nurse..not as much, but hospital or well established good LTC...heck yes..that is too low!!!!).

[lifeisbeautiful]

Originally Posted by cheerfuldoer

[b]I know a RN who has worked in Med/Surg for 9 1/2 years, and just started a new job in the midwest making $23.00/hour!
Personally, I think it isn't enough. Your thoughts appreciated! Thanks!

I think that is awful. Where I work, they determine pay by how long you've been a nurse and how long you've been at the hospital. The pay scale starts so low (purposely), so it really doesn't make a difference either way. I always ask what other nurses make because I want to make sure that my pay is comparable even though discussing pay is a 'taboo' at our hospital. There are so many variables that are taken into consideration with a nurse's pay that talking about it is a good way to gage if you are being paid what you are worth.

[mattsmom81]

Different areas of the country have differing economies, different supply /demand, etc...our wages vary quite a bit around this country. So..I'd have to know more about the area to comment whether it was fair or not...one has to do their homework.

If I drive 150 miles outside my metroplex area I expect to see a huge discrepancy in nurses wages from what I make in Fort Worth, depending on their need and the supply of local nurses available.

[GoLytely]

Originally Posted by cheerfuldoer

I know a RN who has worked in Med/Surg for 9 1/2 years, and just started a new job in the midwest making $23.00/hour! Do you think that is too little per hour for nurses who have over eight or nine years experience?

Personally, I think it isn't enough. Your thoughts appreciated! Thanks!

$23/hr? That won't even buy $22/hr. Yet I heard a lay person once mention that she knew an RN who makes $35/hr and no wonder health care costs were so outrageous when RN's made such unreasonable salaries. When I confronted her about it she said she did "elder care" on the weekends so she knew about nursing and what she was talking about...

[zambezi]

I make more than that and I have only been an RN for just two years.
I also agree with what Mattsmom said in her post though...

[Dixiecup]

I've been a nurse for sixteen years. I make $18 an hour in LTC. That's what I would make in med/surge at a hospital also. There is only about a $2 difference in the pay ladder from new grad to nurse with 10 years plus experience. It really sucks!

[Chrislynn2003]

I live in Delaware. I have a little over a year experience as an RN and started in the OR at 22.23/hr. and am up to 24.05/hr day shift. But then again it all depends on the cost of living; I am actually making more than I ever expected to start out at.

Christine