Iowa - RN Pay

U.S.A. Iowa

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Raised in Iowa for 8 years, moved out to Jersey to live with my wife. Had 2 kids born here before and after a deployment of mine. Gettin sick of expensive city life and want to go back to the midwest and I'd like to get a ballpark of what my wife would be making out there.

She's got 12 years exp, a year of that in management. All of that in ureology and nephrology. She only has her Nurse Diploma, but has goals to get her BSN sometime in the future.

Would be in the Des Moines area...so if anyone currently working at any of those hospitals, if you could give me some numbers that would be great.

Thanks.

futurerntraveler08, did you already found travel agency? i am thinking about moving to colorado. but i'm not sure if i will like there. so, my intent is to find nice traveling agency, get assignment in colorado for several month, look around, ect. if i will like being a nurse in co, i can stay there. now i need to find decent travel. agency. any advices are appreciated.

a couple years ago bridge staffing was suggested to me as we had a few travelers in our hospital from there. one of nurse using them said her rep had been very good to her and they took care of their nurses. that was her experience with them.

Mercy in des moines has a great daycare building right across the street. Its cheaper than other places + the staff there is awesome. My kids (almost 4 and almost 3) love going there.

Their health insurance rate is pretty good too. Even beats my military rate from the Guard.

Specializes in ER, Peds/Med-Surg/ICU/OB/Long term care.

You might want to check out the State of Iowa nursing jobs. I know that Iowa is noted for low RN pay. I make over $34/hr working for the state and I also receive great benefits. It all depends on what type of nursing you want to work in. I have worked at the same facility for over 10 years. I don't know what the starting wage would be, but the anniversary and the annual cost of living wage increase adds up rather quickly. I live in a small community so the cost of living is not expensive.

The state does have great benefits. I work IT for the Board of Medicine right next to the Board of Nursing. But jobs within Polk County are far and few. And some of them might not appeal to someone that is devoted to patient care or would rather not work in a corrections facility.

Does anyone know any agencies that pay well for per diem? My wife is with Maxim for work at Iowa Methodist sometimes, but the pay is roughly the same. I was disappointed.

Specializes in Geriatrics, MS, Ortho.
....Does anyone know any agencies that pay well for per diem? My wife is with Maxim for work at Iowa Methodist sometimes, but the pay is roughly the same. I was disappointed.

Stevelord, I hate to disappoint you, but all agencies are almost the same. Im my personal opinion, Maxim is the worst in all aspects. I work full time in one of the Des Moines hospitals, and in the mean time pick up some extra shifts in CBS Stuffing. They pay $24/hr no matter what is your experience. Plus $1 on weekends. Stuff is great, especially Ebony. I don't think you'll be able to find anything better in Iowa. If you will, let me know! I found the rates in Iowa nursing agencies are very disappointing. When I talk to my classmates in Arizona (I graduated there), I literally cry. They make as RN $28 in hospitals ($24 starting plus $4 night shift differentials) in Tucson. In agencies there they pay around $40 for RN's and $28 for LPN's. I heart it's even better in Phoenix.

Years ago in NJ my wife was making $30ish at a hospital, but worked per diem with Maxim and was making $50. Just three 12hr days a week and she was banking $900.

One of my best friends did travel in NJ and was getting sign on bonuses and housing allowance...for a cheap apartment he split with a friend anyway. Good bachelor money.

Iowa does pay IT pretty well though so even though I am only a few years into my career, I hope I can be making good money as I progress.

I have heard the low Iowa pay may be related to the low medicare/medicade reimbursement rates for Iowa. I feel it is also, as i have stated before, very much related to how nurses are viewed here, blue collar, and the fact that they put up with it. As long as we accept it, the low pay will continue. I hold out hope for change. RN's in more empowered areas see themselves as independant contractors and are very assertive about what they will and will not tolerate from working conditions to pay. My freind who is an OT works per diem in TX for 55 per hour, the going rate! Who do you want at your bedside in a code, and experienced icu nurse or an OT?? Lets get the pay we deserve.

Years ago in NJ my wife was making $30ish at a hospital, but worked per diem with Maxim and was making $50. Just three 12hr days a week and she was banking $900.

One of my best friends did travel in NJ and was getting sign on bonuses and housing allowance...for a cheap apartment he split with a friend anyway. Good bachelor money.

Iowa does pay IT pretty well though so even though I am only a few years into my career, I hope I can be making good money as I progress.

I am a recent new grad..as of Nov. last year. I accepted a job at the U of I. They pay salary, then you get shift diff on top $3. for evenings, and $3.50 for nights, when you work a weekend you get $2. an hour, and if you work an extra shift you get $10. an hour. all on top of your base salary. My base salary is $47980. which equals out to $27.76 an hour, as a NEW RN. I'm sure your wife would make much more than that. Plus you get awesome benefits, like IPERS, which is state retirement. hope this helps!

Specializes in Geriatrics, MS, Ortho.
I am a recent new grad..as of Nov. last year. I accepted a job at the U of I. They pay salary, then you get shift diff on top $3. for evenings, and $3.50 for nights, when you work a weekend you get $2. an hour, and if you work an extra shift you get $10. an hour. all on top of your base salary. My base salary is $47980. which equals out to $27.76 an hour, as a NEW RN. I'm sure your wife would make much more than that. Plus you get awesome benefits, like IPERS, which is state retirement. hope this helps!

Lylesmom, I very impressed with your salary rate and happy for you. I heart that U of I pays realy well. However, this salary level is rather exceptional then regular for Iowa. Those folks who do not live in Iowa City have to accept positions with much lover rates.

I too am happy you have this opportunity. The U has always been and continues to be an exception to the norm in Iowa. I currently work for the state in a facility. Would I prefer a more clinical setting? Yes, at times. But if i do it will be per diem and part time as most places just cannot or will not offer a comparable salary and benefits. Good Luck at the U, i have heard it is a great place to work! Hopefully more places in Iowa will follow, but probably not until they are forced by labor shortage which we all know is not a good situation for employees or patients.

I am a recent new grad..as of Nov. last year. I accepted a job at the U of I. They pay salary, then you get shift diff on top $3. for evenings, and $3.50 for nights, when you work a weekend you get $2. an hour, and if you work an extra shift you get $10. an hour. all on top of your base salary. My base salary is $47980. which equals out to $27.76 an hour, as a NEW RN. I'm sure your wife would make much more than that. Plus you get awesome benefits, like IPERS, which is state retirement. hope this helps!

Thanks MaryNochka, I myself do not live in Iowa City, I actually will be driving 90 miles each way to work there. They are one of the top hospitals in the nation, so I couldn't pass up the opp. to gain so much experience!

Specializes in ICU, School Nurse, Med/Surg, Psych.

I have 16 yrs experience and an MSN (BSN required for my position) and work in community mental health. I make less than $40k a year as a saleried employee and often get stuck 'volunteering' as I don't get overtime or comp time if a client takes longer than planned. The only perk is that I work 8-4 m-f with holidays off.

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