First Nursing Pay

[nurse_student1]

What did you buy with your first nursing pay from your first nursing job?

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

I made $2.00 per hour working at a job in the 70's. My rent was $80 per month. Gas was somewhere between 32-55 cents per gallon, depending on the year. I would bring home about $90 per week, and had plenty to spend on food, clothes, makeup, etc.

[tainted1972, ASN, RN]

I used it to put a down payment on a "new to me" car. The one I had been driving back and forth to school was falling apart, the week before my first paycheck I cracked the block and had to junk it. It was so nice to be able to buy a nice car.

[jamie876]

I bought something for myself, I think it’s pants and shirts (cannot remember exactly)..and I realized it’s feels better to spend your own earning than the ones that were given by your mom!=)

[BostonTerrierLover, BSN, RN]

I haven't gotten my first check yet, but I plan on buying myself some new jeans and underwear! The ones I have now all have holes.

Good Luck!! I have been in the game 10 years, and still have "holy" Fruit of the Looms!!:)

[ianursestudent15]

I haven't had my first nursing pay yet (hoping to one receive soon). Some says it's lucky to buy undies for your parents from your first salary...and I'll try do it=)

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

I remember my first real paycheck of any kind... It felt AWESOME to have bills paid! It was a treat in itself!

So now that I've gotten stuck working on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year I think I'll go by myself something nice just for getting holiday pay to be away from my family... like one of those $15 foot massagers that you set on the floor and run your feet across...

My feet are happy just thinking about it!

[mz.snuggly1]

I remember when I was a kid I asked my mom how much she made (she wasn't a nurse) but she told me $4.25 and that was minimum wage in 1990.

What year was it when nurses were paid $4.25?

I remember a nurse telling me she made that much (but I don't remember what year or if we talked about it) but I remember her saying something like, "I still lived pretty good. I mean, I was able to take trips and stuff like that."

It seems crazy to us now, but I guess that was "good money" at one point in time.

Things weren't sooo expensive as they are now! Back then gas was less than a dollar and food and everything else were very cheap!

[thecool1Nscrubs2no]

My first paycheck I used to buy food, gas and placed some in savings.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Made 16K my first year and thought I was living large!!!!!!!!!!!! Thursday nights were Dominos pizza!

[Aongroup1990, CNA]

I wish I even made that which is so much less than what you're making but don't ever feel bad about that.

[shamrokks, ADN, ASN, RN]

I paid bills and saved for a new car. My old one was on it's last leg and no a/c. Living in Florida I was always so HOT driving back and forth to school and clinicals with no a/c. I do not like having a car payment now but I sure do like driving my new car. :)

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

A hefty student loan payment and some for savings. My first pay was more than I'd anticipated.