New Grad Pay!!

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 6, 2003

I forget what the starting pay is for my hospital: I'll have to go look. But ... when looking at pay, don't forget to look at differentials (e.g. for evenings, nights, weekends, precepting, charge, etc.) I work for a hospital that pays diffs that are a bit higher than average for our area. Over time, they really add to a person's income. However, a lot of new nurses forget to calculate them into the equation. They look only at the base salary per hour, "forgetting" that the pay for most hours is actually greater than that.

Including all the differentials is the only way you can compare one institution to another.

Also, you should consider retention bonuses, etc. Some hospitals (like mine) have them and others don't. They, too, add to your income over the course of a year.

llg

AmiK25 · Mar 6, 2003

I have not graduated yet, but I know that new grad pay (base pay)) in the hospital were I work now (Indianapolis, IN) is $17.50/hr regardless of degree or department. However, each year nurses get raises in May and I have heard they are going to increase the new grad rate to try and be the highest paying in the state...don't know how much that will be though!!

canavywife · Mar 6, 2003

At the hospital I am working at right now-new grad pay starts at $29.75 with either ADN or BSN. We get raises each april when they do a mraket survey of reginal hospitals too. I am in CA and that salary is for day shift. I believe there is a 4.20pm diff and a 5.20 night shift. No weekend differentials though. This is working a benefited position. I now work per diem and make $35.75 but have no benefits.

The hospital I work at has only a 3.5% vacancy rate--I believe the average RN vacancy rate in US hospitals is about 14% or something. We dont seem to have the nursing shortage problem in this area of CA--no sign on bonus either. BUt we are also paying almost $3/gallon for gas and I pay almost $2000/month for my small 2 bed 2 bath apartment. I wish I could say my money is going farther....

Good Luck!

TMS

jayne109, RN · Mar 6, 2003

I just graduated in December. My hospital offers new grads $15/hr. I work nghts so I get $2 more per hour. On weekends we get $2 more per hour. If I work on the weekend I make $19 per hour. I work in Bolivar Mo. With an ASN.

Elenaster · Mar 6, 2003

I just graduated with my BSN and will be making 21.60/hr on nights in the ICU. I live in NC. I also will be getting a $1000.00 bonus my first month of employment.

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2003

I'm graduating in September, so I don't have a job yet, but I've been doing my research and around the Philly area new grads are starting around $23-26/hr.

lee1 · Mar 7, 2003

Originally posted by Elenaster
I just graduated with my BSN and will be making 21.60/hr on nights in the ICU. I live in NC. I also will be getting a $1000.00 bonus my first month of employment.

A bonus for what reason? Was this a signon bonus and you only have to wait 1 month to receive it? What are experienced nurses making at your hospital? Do you know?? Is it unionized??

Gator,SN · Mar 7, 2003

Associates degree

$20.60 in CCU

12 hour shifts/ one month 7a-7p & 1 month 7p-7a rotation

1 major and 1 minor holiday

Start May 20th

$6000 sign on bonus, paid when I pass the NCLEX

PA

nicudaynurse · Mar 7, 2003

Be sure to remember that the salaries are going to vary a lot depending on what part of the country you live in. Some areas have a much higher cost of living.

In my part of Texas the new grads. are starting around $18.00/hr with shift differentials. Weekend diff. can be as high as $6.00 at some hospitals.

I'm sure that there are some hospitals in the area that pay more for BSN, but I have yet to find one.

essarge · Mar 7, 2003

At the hospital where I work, the new grad rate is around $20 and hour with $2.50 for evenings, $3.00 for nights, and $3.50 for weekends. When I graduate next year it will be at about $23.00 an hour. We also have the Baylor Program which pays $45.00 and hour, no benefits, work 12 hours each on Friday and Saturday and one 8 hour shift during the week. You get paid for 40 hours. Not sure which one I'm going to take yet....only time will tell!

Elenaster · Mar 7, 2003

Lee1,

The bonus is a relocation bonus because I moved from another state and I think the first month thing has to do with payroll. Experienced nurses in this area make up to $35/hr base in the hospital. To the best of my knowledge, the hospitals are not unionized. :)

The hospital I'm working at is currently paying a referral bonus of $1000 dollars to existing employees. I think you get $500 after 6 weeks and the other $500 when orientation is complete. I don't think they are paying sign-on bonuses here, but I know some of the outside hospitals are paying huge sign-ons.