Are You Satisfied With Your Income?

[jollyjenny]

I know that we would all like to make more, but overall, are you happy with the $ you make as a nurse? I hear so much about how nurses feel underpaid, but then I've also heard people say that you can make quite a bit of $ as a nurse. Do you have to nearly break your back doing tons of overtime to make good money?

There is a large hospital in San Antonio where I would like to work after completing school, but they start nurses out at $19.50/hr. Do hourly earnings go up fairly quickly with years of experience?

Just curious!

jollyjenny

[bill4745, RN]

I work in a small hospital in SE PA. With over 12 years of experience, I make around $70k doing 3 12h shifts a week. If I average 4, with the OT, I make around $110k. I'm quite satisfied. Great benefits, also.

[edisongirl25]

i have often wondered what nurses should really make.

i will not disclose what i make,

but as a new grad

my hospital starting rate was 18.50, other areas 19.50 per hour.

i really don't know if any one would consider that fair or not.

i am curious to what others around the nation get paid, and do they match their standards/costs of living.

i live in sw fl, where it is no longer inexpensive to live.

our retirement community is catering to the wealthy, so the working

class cannot afford to live in these areas any more.

there are many nurses moving away because of this....

i would be interested in feedback.

i too live in swfl, ft myers. i make a little over $21/hr and while it's more then i've ever made in my life, the cost of living is waaayy to high. my rent is $1200/month and that is what i bring home every 2 weeks. not to mention my other bills.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Yes, I am well-compensated for my area of the country.