Hey so young nurses, are we really making "that much"?

Nurses General Nursing

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I ponder about this all the time. If you are a RN now by this point, you know you don't make that much, but still most of us admit that "well, still among our friends, I make decent money." Are we?

I have been a nurse now about year and half, and I really wonder if people at my age group make as much as or more than I do; I live at Dallas, 1yr and half exp making $25/hr + $4 for nights ($29), and $34 for weekend nights. I think it comes to about $3100-3600 a month after taxes :angrybird1:, and I don't know about you, but to me, that doesn't feel very much. I have friends who are teachers, architects, interior designers, and etc, and seeing the way they spend, I doubt that I make more than they do. If I even increase the times I eat out by little bit, I can clearly see my budget affected by it, and it seems like everyone and their grandmother eats out everyday and they still have money to buy other stuff.

Or maybe they are broke and living by paycheck to paycheck because they are not saving up any monies? Ah... I really wish I made enough not to really care whether I eat out today or not. And by the way, I am single and childless... well, I forcefully support millions of lazy freeloaders with my sweat-stained money, so I guess I have lots of children. So, what do you think?

Specializes in Pharmaceutical Research, Operating Room.

I have friends who are teachers, architects, interior designers, and etc, and seeing the way they spend, I doubt that I make more than they do. If I even increase the times I eat out by little bit, I can clearly see my budget affected by it, and it seems like everyone and their grandmother eats out everyday and they still have money to buy other stuff.

I think there are a LOT of people who use credit cards and other debt to maintain this kind of lifestyle. I also think that there are a LOT people who live paycheck to paycheck because they blow all their money on stuff like going out to eat 5 nights a week. It's been my experience that a lot of people my age either 1) flat out lie about the amount of money they're making (yes, this has really happened to me, I guess in an attempt to impress........somebody?), or 2) live so far outside of their means that they have no money left over at the end of the month. Personally, I don't care how others look at my family's financial situation - we have money left over at the end of the month that we are throwing toward our student loan debt, which will be paid off QUICKLY. Which will allow us to save WAY more money than even right now. Which will allow us to RETIRE early. Keep budgeting, keep saving, and don't compare your life to others......you'll come out on top when it matters!!

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Specializes in ORTHO, PCU, ED.
I'm a young nurse and have made over 100k for the last three years. Over 135k this year. And it's cheap to live where I live.

Wow, are there any positions open?!

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Specializes in ORTHO, PCU, ED.

This is a great thread. For me personally, it's not ALL about the money, but the money is a very important part. I've been working at the same hospital for almost 5 years and from what I'm told, I make what the new grads make coming in. I have my BSN. Now does that seem fair? A BSN nurse with nearly 5 years experience making the same as an ADN new grad? No that doesn't seem fair. Well, why am I still here? I enjoy my coworkers. I enjoy my job (for the most part), even though I have a long 45 minute drive. I have a decent retirement savings going already and my insurance is decent. Other reasons, I know everyone, everyone knows me and I feel respect from my coworkers. I have a good boss who's personable. There's always going to be pro's and con's to every job. Even though a friend of mine makes $4/hr more than me and lives 10 mins away from her workplace, she gets home 1 and 1/2 hr after her shift ends and takes 7-8 pts a shift on a medical floor. So I am always telling myself, "Remember, the grass is not always greener on the other side."

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I'm wondering how the heck you get so much after taxes, OP. $3100-$3600/month after taxes does not compute. I only make $2/hour less than you (which should really only make a difference of about $300/month) and I come home with around $2200-$2400/month after taxes/deductions.
The OP and I are both in Texas, which has no state income tax. Living and working in a state with no state income tax makes a notable difference in your net pay.
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Specializes in ICU.
The OP and I are both in Texas, which has no state income tax. Living and working in a state with no state income tax makes a notable difference in your net pay.

...That was the single best argument for moving away from where I'm living that I've ever heard. I need to get out of here.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

I was at the mall with my mother as an impressionable 15 year old, and there sat a limo at the front door, dropping off the passengers. I mentioned to my mom "They must be really rich to be driving in a limo."

Mom said to me: Or maybe it's rented, or maybe it's for show, and they live in a shack. How do you know? Having a limo doesn't necessarily mean that they are rich. It just means they spent money on something that isn't necessary.

So true. Don't judge what you have compared to others.

I would do this job no matter how much I was being paid, because I love it that much. Look at the good you do, and if you don't feel that you're doing that much good, then spend more time with your patients, and learn to chart super quickly.

Just depends on where you place your priorities. Here's a life hack: Money and things are not that important. Don't get hung up on them.

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Specializes in Critical care.
I'm a young nurse and have made over 100k for the last three years. Over 135k this year. And it's cheap to live where I live.

Where is this? I make around 60$/hour, but cost of living on Oahu is pretty horrendous. With overtime cleared over 135k last year. Plumbers make ~ 100$/hr here.

Cheers

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Specializes in ORTHO, PCU, ED.

I would do this job no matter how much I was being paid, because I love it that much.

Wow. I wish I could say that. Boy if we all loved our jobs that much what a wonderland work would be.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Wow. I wish I could say that. Boy if we all loved our jobs that much what a wonderland work would be.

A wonderland of poverty. If they can pay us less they will.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I was at the mall with my mother as an impressionable 15 year old, and there sat a limo at the front door, dropping off the passengers. I mentioned to my mom "They must be really rich to be driving in a limo."

Mom said to me: Or maybe it's rented, or maybe it's for show, and they live in a shack. How do you know? Having a limo doesn't necessarily mean that they are rich. It just means they spent money on something that isn't necessary.

So true. Don't judge what you have compared to others.

Whenever I see anyone in a limo I think "Oh wow, they had $80"

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
Whenever I see anyone in a limo I think "Oh wow, they had $80"

As a teen, my grandma always tried to express this salient point to me. People may be buying things on credit, or they may be renting them. Therefore, do not be envious of those who appear to have "more" than you.

This advice has proven true over the course of my life.

This is why I am quite comfortable in my current "humble" abode. As well as I'm comfortable with my 12 yr old well running Honda.

Priorities!

Plus don't try to keep up with the Joneses! They're probably broke living check to check.

Trust me, the grass Isn't always greener!

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

I get more likes when I post ****** comments than when I post positive ones. Such is life.

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