100k salary?

Nurses General Nursing

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  1. How possible is it to make over 100k?

    • 80
      Very possible
    • 71
      possible but requires some hard work/overtime
    • 117
      possible but requires LOTS of overtime/hardwork
    • 58
      Very hard

165 members have participated

18 year old male. I've wanted to be a nurse for a couple years and will be starting to work towards my BSN this fall. I've volunteered at the local hospital on med/surg floors and the ER room to make sure this is what I want. I will be taking classes to be an EMT-B or ER tech during college in order to gain medical knowledge, contacts in the hospital, and experience in an acute care setting.

Med/surg floors are........eh...but I am absolutely in love with the ICU and ER. When I was volunteering on a med/surg floor a male nurse said he had worked 20 years as a nurse an was making 120k

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My question is how possible is it for a nurse to make over 100k a year?

Does it pretty much require overtime to make that?

Whats the highest you have ever heard of a nurse making that wasn't a anesthetist or practitioner? And what did that require(overtime, certifications, years of experience, department,etc)?

I was thinking of becoming a charge nurse for the ER eventually. Good or bad idea?

I want to make it clear I am NOT getting into nursing for the money, but just like everyone I wouldn't mind making a decent amount doing what I love. I am just interested in how obtainable a "decent" salary is when it comes to nursing

Oh yeah, you're getting into nursing for the money. Feel free to admit it.

Many ways to make 100 K. You will figure it out as you go along.

As far as charge in an ER? It's a thought, but you will see many more options on your journey.

Best of luck.. I think you've got the the foresight and planning ability to achieve whatever you want.:up:

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Echoing what most others said- it depends on where you live and how many hours a week you work or any shift differentials. I have done well without working overtime, but in other parts of the county this would not be possible. If you're only going into it for the money, well- there are easier careers to make over 100,000 a year.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

Just got this in a TNA (Texas nurses' association) flyer today. . . for experienced (2 years seems sufficient) ER nurses for $45/hr (until the end of Sept) plus possible $20,000 bonus for 2 year commitment. I bet paying those kinds of bonuses they would have some OT available.

It is Laredo, TX. Apparently they do not have the bad reputation that is seen on the other side of the border. But. . .

Laredo, TX.

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Also, I didn't realize this post was about 3 years old. I hope school went well for you, if that's what you ended up deciding on and wish you luck!!

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

Where are these regions that offer high salaries with low costs of living? A lot of people would appreciate knowing this. Thanks.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Where are these regions that offer high salaries with low costs of living? A lot of people would appreciate knowing this. Thanks.

I have looked into this extensively. The highest RN pay, relative to the area cost of living I have found is in Minneapolis / St. Paul Minnesota area.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.
I have looked into this extensively. The highest RN pay, relative to the area cost of living I have found is in Minneapolis / St. Paul Minnesota area.

Man, I was in Minneapolis once. Really liked it, thought it was a lovely city.

It was in June and the locals were bemoaning the heat wave (highs in the low 80s).

Don't think I can do the hibernating thing.

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Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill NC

A ton of hospitals, Duke, Wake Med, and UNC have travel nurse positions too. Cost of living low.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill NC

A ton of hospitals, Duke, Wake Med, and UNC have travel nurse positions too. Cost of living low.

I looked into that area. I found very similar cost of living to the Twin Cities and 1/3 lower RN pay. At the time (5 or 6 years ago) new grads were only starting at about $40- $45K/year in that area of NC vs $65-70K in the Twin Cities.

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
I have looked into this extensively. The highest RN pay, relative to the area cost of living I have found is in Minneapolis / St. Paul Minnesota area.

I checked this out and found that COL is 1.6% below the national average which really surprised me. Minneapolis is a terrific city, but so many people reject it because of the winters. But there's a LOT of stuff to do and you just put your warm clothes and get out there and do it!

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I checked this out and found that COL is 1.6% below the national average which really surprised me. Minneapolis is a terrific city, but so many people reject it because of the winters. But there's a LOT of stuff to do and you just put your warm clothes and get out there and do it!

I agree. Add to the fact that with 5-10 years experience many staff RNs can be making 6 figures + without OT.

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ICU/ER usually pays the same (or within a buck or two an hour) as any other floor.

If you're married and don't need benefits, you could work registry/PRN somewhere. It usually pays a lot more per hour. The risk is you are cancelled first usually if not needed but if you pick a hospital that is very busy it can be worth it. I have known people who worked full time hours this way and made almost $100K/year. I would still have at least a year experience before signing up as registry.

There's always agencies as well, but not for a new grad.

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