It seems like everyone but nurses make more money

[rearviewmirror]

I didn't become a nurse because I had a calling or anything. I was one of those few idiots in high school who had no dreams or aspiration, so my dad said "hey nursing sounds good" and I said "okay"...... mistake. Now, I am no Trevor the psychopath or Mary the maniac, but certainly not a bleeder of heart. I just did my job well and went home.

I got sick of humanity at ER, so now work at insurance donig medical reviews.

As I am at that weird age where people around you either make mediocre money vs tons of money, it's hard not to notice those that make a ton, and what irks me is that none of them work at healthcare field.

My brother who's been in workforce only few years already makes well over 120k, not mentioning bonuses, incentives, 5 star hotels and lux meals, my friend at airline industry living a nice, rich life, a regular marketer at company owning two expensive sports cars...

Where do these people get these jobs? It seems like unless you're running the corporate side of healthcare, you work your butt off and get few change and a key chain for Christmas.

[NurseNeLz]

I read the avg RN salary in SF is 130s!

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I always thought nurses made great money. I guess it depends where you live. Being 22 years old making 80 grand was just fine for me. And that was 10 years ago. Only thing is over the years the pay doesnt jump greatly but im still happy with my salary.

Well, that all depends on your definition of "great money," as well as your geographical location. 80 grand sounds like a lot to someone where the cost of living is very low. Not so much in places like NYC, Boston, etc., where housing costs are high, there is a state income tax in addition to federal, etc. It's very very relative.

[NurseNeLz]

Well, that all depends on your definition of "great money," as well as your geographical location. 80 grand sounds like a lot to someone where the cost of living is very low. Not so much in places like NYC, Boston, etc., where housing costs are high, there is a state income tax in addition to federal, etc. It's very very relative.

I live in NYC. That was my salary 10 years ago. I make close to 100k a year now. Im not complaining. Like other people have said for the amount of years it takes to become a nurse compared to most others that need a masters degree to make 6 figures we are very lucky if you ask me. Lets not forget we get to clock out! Most people I know who make 6 figures work well over 40 hours a week.

[jeseale123]

You're objectively wrong to say that nurses are not in high demand. I guess you haven't heard about the nursing shortage??? If these corporate owned hospitals let 10 of the 30 or so vice presidents go, perhaps they could afford to pay nurses a bit closer to what we're worth. What this means, effectively, is that we nurses need to stick together...strength in numbers, guys and gals, strength in numbers.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

You're objectively wrong to say that nurses are not in high demand. I guess you haven't heard about the nursing shortage??? If these corporate owned hospitals let 10 of the 30 or so vice presidents go, perhaps they could afford to pay nurses a bit closer to what we're worth. What this means, effectively, is that we nurses need to stick together...strength in numbers, guys and gals, strength in numbers.

There is no blanket nursing shortage. In many areas, there is a glut of new grads who cannot find jobs. Even experienced nurses have trouble finding hospital jobs in certain markets. You can't just assert there is a nursing shortage without mentioning a specific region.

[crazydoglady89]

I read the avg RN salary in SF is 130s!

This might be true, but it BETTER be that much. I live in FL and make ~65k a year (I'm not a nurse yet, applying to schools now). My rent here in the TB area (~1400/mo) would be at LEAST 3,000/month in SF. My best friend just left SF for london and her apt that was much, much smaller than mine went for 3k/month. They also paid I think $300/month for a parking space in the garage.

I'm sure if you make into the 130's you'd get by FINE, but you might need a few room mates to really feel the impact of that 130k (ie, the 130k actually feeling like a big salary). Usually if you're getting paid more, there's a reason.

[Jules A, MSN]

There is no blanket nursing shortage. In many areas, there is a glut of new grads who cannot find jobs. Even experienced nurses have trouble finding hospital jobs in certain markets. You can't just assert there is a nursing shortage without mentioning a specific region.

In my area there hasn't been a shortage of RNs in over 15 years and NPs? Sheesh a dime a dozen. Its a shame nursing hasn't been cognizant of this and instead of just fattening the greedy universities' pockets and misleading prospective students with a false mantra that providers in such short supply we need to fill the gaps no matter how incompetent those providers will be and tighten the admission standards similar to medical schools. There would still be plenty if nurse school (edited to avoid the link to yet another school) were particular about who they admitted.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

You're objectively wrong to say that nurses are not in high demand. I guess you haven't heard about the nursing shortage???

I've heard about it. I haven't seen it though. Schools in my area are pumping out grads 2-3 times per year. The older nurses who either lost their retirement funds when the economy tanked, had to return to the workforce because spouses were laid off, or simply can't afford to just aren't retiring. Where are those new grads supposed to work?

Just because you've read it/heard it/seen it on the internet doesn't make it universal truth.

[imenid37]

Me too! Was it a cool a key chain? I got one with a light several years ago, but... it was already broken when they gave it to me.

[RegularNurse]

In my area there hasn't been a shortage of RNs in over 15 years and NPs? Sheesh a dime a dozen. Its a shame nursing hasn't been cognizant of this and instead of just fattening the greedy universities' pockets and misleading prospective students with a false mantra that providers in such short supply we need to fill the gaps no matter how incompetent those providers will be and tighten the admission standards similar to medical schools. There would still be plenty if nurse school (edited to avoid the link to yet another school) were particular about who they admitted.

It is the same where I'm at. Full time nurses quit or move on and their job is not replaced while universities pump out new grads every six months.

[ceccia]

Certain professions (nursing, school-teaching, librarianship, social work, psychology) offer mediocre salaries. Guess what they all have in common? These are all female-dominated professions.

this, and also from my observations most people who are top earners and love what they do have uber-specialized skills/training, are great at what they do, *and* there aren't many people who can do exactly what they do. Nurses are a dime a dozen. Nurses with specialist certifications generally get paid more and have more opportunities but still there is a ton of supply so there is no "need" to pay more.

[Jules A, MSN]

It is the same where I'm at. Full time nurses quit or move on and their job is not replaced while universities pump out new grads every six months.

My last RN job was at a large university medical center who had started making things difficult on the employees with seniority, read older, higher salaried RNs. Like you mentioned they started filling all positions with brand new grads from their own programs at way reduced rates. We rotated charge and it became common for charge to be a nurse with less than 6 months experience. It was a circus and I feel sad for the new nurses now who aren't able to learn from the wealth of information the experienced nurses have to offer and for the patients who also don't reap the benefits of skilled nursing care.