Why do some RNs hate this?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Some RNs hate when people think they make a ton of money. How come? I definitely wouldn't mind if people thought I made big bucks because it seems like that kind of implies that some people think nurses do way more than just wipe butts and give pills, which in fact they do do a lot more! Let me know what you guys think.

Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.
I've herd that Spending increases as salary increases.

That's my problem right now. :nono:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry.
It's location, location, location. How much is the housing? what is the local cost of living? If I owned a house in Ohio for what it is worth in Massachusetts...I'd live in a mansion. When I moved from Indiana I was thrilled with how much I made.....but when it was all said and done I actually had less to spend because everything here is so expensive.

This is very true. However, it is a bit of a slap in the face when I find that other hospitals (many who transfer pts to us because we accept a much higher acuity than they do) make substantially more than staff at my facility.

I recently learned of a physician's office who hires RNs (miracle) and actually pays them >$4 more than new RNs make at my hospital.

If the pay scales were more even within the area, it would be easier to understand. As it is, there are overpowering feelings of frustration and people are leaving in droves. One would think mgmt would catch on and increase pay, but alas, there are at least 7 nursing programs in a thirty mile radius and therefore an unending supply of nurses in need of jobs (that is, when mgmt sees fit to actually hire nurses to replace those leaving; more often than not, the current staff simply sees their nurse-pt ratios increase AGAIN)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
This is very true. However, it is a bit of a slap in the face when I find that other hospitals (many who transfer points to us because we accept a much higher acuity than they do) make substantially more than staff at my facility.

I recently learned of a physician's office who hires RNs (miracle) and actually pays them >$4 more than new RNs make at my hospital.

If the pay scales were more even within the area, it would be easier to understand. As it is, there are overpowering feelings of frustration and people are leaving in droves. One would think mgmt would catch on and increase pay, but alas, there are at least 7 nursing programs in a thirty mile radius and therefore an unending supply of nurses in need of jobs (that is, when mgmt sees fit to actually hire nurses to replace those leaving; more often than not, the current staff simply sees their nurse-pt ratios increase AGAIN)

In this economy there will be no raises nor attempts at retention when there are multiple applicants waiting for that position. Pay scales will never be even unless it becomes national health care government run.......the price of free enterprise. I know of hospitals in my area that pay nurses with 20 years experience $38.00/hr and those that pay almost $80.00 dollars/hr......guess which one is union.

As long as there are a plethora of nurses and new grads the hospitals are going to do what they wish and we will see increased ratios just because they can. At times, I think hospitals created this "shortage" to stop having to pay nurses good salaries, to cut benefits, and stop the safe staffing laws.

A MD that pays more than a hospital? Rare indeed, I wonder what their speciality is.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.
This is so bizarre. Here (NYC) even new grad nurses with a BSN will start out with anywhere from 60,000 (on the low end) to 75 or 80k.

The cost of living in New York is significantly higher than in Kentucky. My friend lives in Queens - her little "mini mansion" with tiny yard costs what a 6-bedroom, 4-bathroom house with a nice backyard would cost here. For example, they have one-bedroom apartments here that are around $400-500, some of them with utilities included. I'm pretty sure you'd be SOL if that was your housing budget anywhere in New York.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Uh, making $20-30 an hour for an ASSOCIATES DEGREE is definitely big bucks. In this economy, it's excellent pay - its even more impressive for someone with a two-year degree. I double majored in a respectable 4-year university, with a minor - and barely broke HALF of $20 an hour. Hence, I'm going back to school for nursing, which is what I should have majored in to begin with. I think nurses who complain about not making a lot when they only spent two years in school need to get a reality check!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Missa8182 what did you double major in at college?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

AMEN Missa!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Uh, making $20-30 an hour for an ASSOCIATES DEGREE is definitely big bucks. In this economy, it's excellent pay - its even more impressive for someone with a two-year degree. I double majored in a respectable 4-year university, with a minor - and barely broke HALF of $20 an hour. Hence, I'm going back to school for nursing, which is what I should have majored in to begin with. I think nurses who complain about not making a lot when they only spent two years in school need to get a reality check!

The money sounds very attractive and I am not saying that nursing doesn't provide a good life. But.....the compensation does not come near to paying what the position is worth for the responsibilites that it requires.

I would like to hear your thoughts about salary in your first year of employment.....IF you find a job once you graduate. It's a tough market out there for nurses as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I wouldn't say I make big bucks but enough to make a living. When I first started, I thought my starting salary was fair - $23.50 is my base pay + night shift differential = $27-$28/hour. Now I make about $30/hr and my OT rate is a little over $35. If the hospital is financially stable, we'll get another raise this year.

I do not complain at all about my pay. I'm very happy with it. It pays the bills! :up:

For those wondering, I live in Texas with my BSN. $23.50 was my starting pay as a new grad and the hospital also factored in my year and a half of nurse tech experience, otherwise I think I would have started at $22. :cool:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.
Uh, making $20-30 an hour for an ASSOCIATES DEGREE is definitely big bucks. In this economy, it's excellent pay - its even more impressive for someone with a two-year degree. I double majored in a respectable 4-year university, with a minor - and barely broke HALF of $20 an hour. Hence, I'm going back to school for nursing, which is what I should have majored in to begin with. I think nurses who complain about not making a lot when they only spent two years in school need to get a reality check!

ADN and BSN graduates take the exact same NCLEX-RN and have exact same duties at the bedside. Do you think that maybe the reason they get paid pretty much the same?

Where are you from? A different country than U.S.?

More education should be valued and paid more. But as long as they do the same job, it doesnt make sense to me why one of them would be paid significantly more.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I'm still a student, but based on the job postings I've seen in my area for new grads...I can expect to make $50,000/yr as a new grad RPN in Ontario. I currently make $32,000/yr with no education....so it'll be a nice jump for me (granted I can get a job at that time!!!)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Carley 77 said s/he'd he(a)rd that Spending increases as salary increases.

From all I've heard, I suspect this is true. A friend who is a very experienced tax preparer said someone with a very high W-2 figure just has a bigger house, bigger mortgage to go with it; fancier cars with fancier loan payments; etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment