How much $ do RNs start out at?

nursemike, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2004

I have a rich and full life that includes nursing, but my life doesn't revolve around nursing. My life revolves around my home and family. To each his own. There's millions of nurses and different ways to approach it. The desire to make a decent living is a valid one. But as you state you must go into it wanting to be a nurse as well, because all the stress and demands make it tough. If money is all you want, there's better ways to earn a living, IMO. :)

Amen. I just put my bid in for a job next summer. 3x12, nighta and weekends. $19.24 + 4.00 for weekends. It isn't all about making a decent living working three nights a week, but that's a definite attraction. There's a lot I want to do with my time off.

As for helping people, you can do that in almost any field. An IRS agent once helped me a lot when I was a self-employed carpenter with no business skills. I helped people a lot when I fixed their houses correctly for prices they could afford. A mechanic who repaired my car helped me when he got it done quickly, for a fair price.

Helping people isn't a career--it's a lifestyle choice. Of course, nursing gives us lots of chances to exercise that choice. Then again, I think--or at least hope--that it's possible to be a good nurse without being a martyr about it.

JVanRN · Dec 20, 2004

It's great that you want to be an RN due to the shortage, but being a nurse is not just a job. Don't do it for the money. It is who you are...I don't know about everyone else, but my life revolves around being a nurse.

Ummm....wow

RN2Bin05 · Dec 21, 2004

...here in S. Florida people make about $40 an hour. With all the differential, and no over time, I am bringing home about $80K this year. Good luck.

Hey LT! That's pretty amazing! What's your specialty? PM me if you're too shy to tell everyone. I'm still in school but know I need to specialize ASAP.

Mitchell

actioncat · Dec 21, 2004

Why do you feel you need to specialize ASAP?

shodobe · Dec 21, 2004

I work for a Catholic organization in California and make $38/hr. I will gross over $100,000 for this year and that doesn't include the money I make working partime at a Surgicenter. I have been a Perioperative nurse for 28 years and , yes, if you specialize in a area that has a great need for experienced nurses you will be a sought after individual. I like what I do but still I want to be compensated WELL for that experience. Good luck, Mike

nursemike, ASN, RN · Dec 21, 2004

I work for a Catholic organization in California and make $38/hr. I will gross over $100,000 for this year and that doesn't include the money I make working partime at a Surgicenter. I have been a Perioperative nurse for 28 years and , yes, if you specialize in a area that has a great need for experienced nurses you will be a sought after individual. I like what I do but still I want to be compensated WELL for that experience. Good luck, Mike

Thanks.

By the way, you apparently overlooked mentioning your marital status. Or gender. But, I mean, hey, I can be flexible...

Justajob · Dec 21, 2004

It's great that you want to be an RN due to the shortage, but being a nurse is not just a job. Don't do it for the money. It is who you are...I don't know about everyone else, but my life revolves around being a nurse. You have to want dedicate your life to helping people. That means working 14 hour days/nights, working holidays, getting hit/screamed at by patients. It is a very demanding career not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Good luck. Hope you make the right decision. :)

That will be the day my life revolves around nursing!! I have a life & NURSING is now just a job to me. I might add,that while at work I give my best,but once I give report,I walk out that door & am not a nurse again till I walk back in. After 34 yrs in the medical field,I have to laugh at the newbies & their,"I'm going to save the world,cause now I'm a nurse" attitudes.This is my opinion only,so don't get offended or your dander up & if you do.....oh well !!!!!

Happy Holidays, :Snowman2:

camkib · Dec 21, 2004

Thanks.
By the way, you apparently overlooked mentioning your marital status. Or gender. But, I mean, hey, I can be flexible...

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

nptobee · Dec 22, 2004

I've been offered one position so far. The starting pay was 24.00 for days, 28.80 evenings, and 30.00 for nights. (Washington, DC)

vortex72 · Dec 22, 2004

In TN in 1997, I started out at a low of 14.01/hour.. That was for CVICU!

However, I got great training at my first job and a $3,000 sign on bonus. Even with that horribly low base rate, I still managed to make around 50k my first year when differentials and crisis pay were included(that was working a moderate amount of overtime)

Now I'm in a "specialty" known as acute dialysis. I'm lucky to have a position that pays me per treatment and on call. My hourly rate averages about 40/hour. This pay period, I worked around 50-55/hours each week, and my check will be over $5,000 for 2 weeks!

I agree with some of the previous posts. Nursing doesnt have to be your "life" There are nurses out there that dedicate themselves completely to the profession and I think we need them. For me, nursing is a job that pays pretty good, and I dont dread going to work. I like helping people but I doubt I will do this my whole life. It is a great career if you are looking for something stable that will always keep you in the middle class. If money is your PRIMARY goal, you'd be better off in business or sales.

lifeisbeautiful · Dec 22, 2004

Back home (Pacific NW), they are hiring LPNs in Nursing homes for $12-$13 an hour. The local hospital in the area has just started hiring LPNs and I bet they don't pay much more considering a new, experienced RN at the same hospital has to start at $21 an hour, night shift, part-time....This area does not have a Nursing shortage. Here is SoCal, I started at a measly $22-23 an hour, but with the threat of a union moving in, I am up to almost $30! Still not much considering the cost of living, having to pay for work parking, etc.

harley_fan · Dec 22, 2004

I live in the Midwest and I am making a decent wage. I started at 24.60 and not just got a pretty nice pay raise (about 4.50) only after working there for 1 year too. Pretty nice Christmas present! The cost of living in my area is not overly expensive and I do work for a Catholic Hospital. Just to add to what the other posters have been mentioning.. I don't feel my life revolves around nursing. All of the stress and work burdens are lifted off my shoulders when I rip up my report sheet at the end of the shift. Its a good feeling :)