Who do nurses make more than?

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2012

I am single. I own a house and drive a new car (2012). I pay several hundred dollars in student loans every month, internet, cable and phone and still manage to go out regularly. I also work 2 jobs and work, on average, 51 hrs/week and do not have children. I do not think it's possible to live in the kind of apartment complex you describe for $1000/month. When I was renting, I was paying that for a studio that had nothing other than a coin operated washer/dryer in the basement.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2012

philly pay for a new nurse is about $27 an hour. I looked into moving there before. Apartments downtown are going to be more than $1,000 a month. The ones i searched out were about $1500 for a one bedroom again all in dowtown area. Also philly, nj, and nyc has a surplus of nurses so you might not have any easy time finding a job in a hospital (usually pay more than ltc )

Seas · Nov 30, 2012

omg guyssss dont beat me up!! Anyhoo thanx for all your replies ...I dont think Im asking too much though!! I mean what about the apartment?? Or the random dining outs or the random Im going shopping moments Is any of that possible?? I am single and a single parent I didnt actuall mean whatever she wants but ya know maybe random spur of the moment toy store stops and stuff I don't know maybe you guys dont want to answer me specifically to what I asked and thats ok thanx anyway ahaha StILL want to be a nurse:yes:

I wonder your educational level right now. Do you have your high school GED at least? How are you doing at school? Nursing school is some tough work ya know.

Ntheboat2 · Nov 30, 2012

I wonder your educational level right now. Do you have your high school GED at least? How are you doing at school? Nursing school is some tough work ya know.

Some people think text speak is normal and appropriate in all situations. I'm waiting for the day when they add emoticons to the charting system.

DoeRN · Nov 30, 2012

Please do not write in text language. It is hard to understand and does not get your point across. If you write in complete sentences we will understand what your questions are and therefore be able to answer them.

I think you are asking if you can pay your bills as a nurse? Depends on what bills you have and how you budget your money. You can live beyond your means at any salary level. But yes you can live off a nurses salary. Because if you couldn't let's be honest a lot of us wouldn't do this work if we weren't well compensated for it.

Do I take a vacation every year? Yes, I took 2 this year but again it is something I budgeted for. I don't have children but yes I would be able to support a child on my salary alone. I live in an apartment with a gym and a pool. I bought a house and sold it to move out of state. I have a decent car not a luxury car but a nice one. But I live down south so the cost of living is cheaper. I'm currently saving to purchase a condo. If I want to splurge on something then I budget for it.

If you become a nurse maybe you should meet with a financial planner so you will have tools to budget. And again please we beg of you write in complete sentences. It will be good practice for nursing school. I use my iPhone for this site so my paragraphs and sentences are not double spaced. And I know it is hard to type on these phones and punctuate. I'm guilty of it sometimes but I type out full words. It isn't that much harder to do.

NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN · Nov 30, 2012

"..apartment cost about 1k a month ..car payments..insurance plus ..internet, ..cell, ..clothes for me ANDmy daughter will ..give my daughter almost whatever she wants ..have money in my pocket at all times..please dont tell me to cut my expenses ..vacation at LEAST once a year..BABYSITTER ..buy things at the spur of the moment ..go out to dinner at a nice restaraut worry free?." You can live decently but Not Without Worries on a nurse's salary. You would be in the 99%. it sounds like you want to be a 1%-er. Forget nursing. Marry Donald Trump.

Rhi007 · Nov 30, 2012

Here's the thing, if nursing was still a job but you had to choose between nursing and no pay or a redundancy package what would you choose? Knowing for well that money doesn't make you yourself happy, in the words of linkin park 'when the rich wage war it's the poor who die' and possessions cannot be with you either!!!! I would rather not be paid to do a job I'm passionate about than have money to buy possessions

roser13, ASN, RN · Nov 30, 2012

omg guyssss dont beat me up!! Anyhoo thanx for all your replies ...I dont think Im asking too much though!! I mean what about the apartment?? Or the random dining outs or the random Im going shopping moments Is any of that possible?? I am single and a single parent I didnt actuall mean whatever she wants but ya kno maybe random spur of the moment toy store stops and stuff Idk maybe you guys dont want to answer me specifically to what I asked and thats ok thanx anyway ahaha StILL want to be a nurse:yes:

Anyone can outspend any income and that's why no one can really answer your questions specifically. I'm guessing that you're fairly young and have some maturation to attain before choosing your field of study. Why not start college in a general major and see where your interests lie? Your life's work is not only about how much money you make or the lifestyle you can afford. You have to want to do what you're doing or you'll be miserable, even if you do have the $1,000 apartment and can afford random toy store purchases and dinners out.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Nov 30, 2012

Find out average salary for a new nurse in your area. Then put all your wants in an excel spread sheet and calculate how much it will be per month including utilities, babysitter, spending money. Every possible expense.

Then calculate your monthly pay as a nurse minus taxes.

See whether you are left with deficit or some left over to stick in savings.

That will be the only accurate answer.

Kaci82 · Nov 30, 2012

Im passionate about this field, but let's be realistic here..I want to have a good job in ALL aspects aha I mean do nurses get bragging rights I mean what can a nurse actually do or buy?? I live in phila pa and want hmm lets say a really nice apartment in a building that has a pool gym etc etc just a really nice one maybe cost about 1k a month or a little more also I want to be able to afford my car payments and insurance plus internet, cell, clothes for me ANDmy daughter will I be able to give my daughter almost whatever she wants ( I have just one child) with that being said I want to do all that and have money in my pocket at all times ..So my question is will being a nurse cover all that? I want to help people I want to be that good nurse caring understanding gentle nurturing BUT i also want to make a living ya kno SURVIVE ahaha is it possible and please dont tell me to cut my expenses I will not! SO give it to me straight lol will nursing cover this and oh yah I also want to vacation at LEAST once a year LETS NOT FORGET BABYSITTER almost slipped my mind aha and I would also like to be able to buy things at the spur of the moment or just all of a sudden go out to dinner at a nice restaraut worry free!!! is it possible basickly I wanna know the real deal about the money part thanx in advance

Ok, first of all you haven't even mentioned saving for your daughter's college or your retirement. I guess material things are too important for all that grownup stuff.

But I'm not taking this too seriously.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Nov 30, 2012

Yes, there is no mention of her current job

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2012

I don't think nursing is a profession to consider because of the money. You will never be paid enough for what you responsibilities are. Nursing school is very difficult and not something you should consider on a whim. Nursing schools are very competitive with LONG waiting lists for entry. Even after graduating you have to pass the Registration exam before you can work as an RN Just like other professions in today's economy.....about 47% are still looking for employment 15 months after graduation.

What do you do right now? What assistance do you have with your daughter?

Nursing is a long arduous process but upon graduation you will make somewhere around $25.00 as a national average. The higher the starting salary the higher the cost of living will be in that area. I think in most areas of the country an apartment with amenities like a pool are not found in the $1,000.00 range. Remember you will have student loans to pay for.....you will have to pay for your daughters daycare/night care for the clinical hours are not flexible....you do clinical when they say when they say it is. You will work holidays and weekends as well as evenings and nights. You will be yelled at by patient and families and not paid the same courtesy that they give a waitress AND you won't be receiving any tips.

Nursing requires maturity and insight to deal with the day to day brutalities of what humanity is and does to each other.....it is not all rainbows and lollipops.

Regardless of what you have heard there is NOT nursing shortage. Wander over to this thread.......https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/no-nursing-shortage-752411.html I think It will be enlightening for you.

Whatever you choose, I wish you the best on your endeavors!