Back in the dark ages (1977) when the minimum wage was under $3/hr, I started as a GN at $5.35/hr in a large teaching hospital in the south. It was the most money I'd ever made in my life, and by the time I got my board results I'd managed to save over $5000- alot for a 22 yr old just out of college. After I got my RN I made $8 & change/hr. I am now at $34/hr, at a small ambulatory facility in the midwest. Gosh I feel old!!