how much do starting RNs earn a year?

U.S.A. New Jersey

Published

how much do RNs earn a year with no experience in NJ?

LilNurse2b143

64 Posts

Specializes in Medical/Surgical.

I started out as a new grad $32.50 working the night shift. At the end of that year I did well with surpassing 60k when it came to tax time. Hope that helps!

onlyjesus99

16 Posts

do you think you can explain to me what you meant by the night shift? did you work 40 hours a week? what were the hours?

onlyjesus99

16 Posts

which hospital do you work right now?

aeronursenj

49 Posts

Specializes in M/S, Infectious Dieases, Pediatrics/NICU.

The night shift is usualy 11p-7am or 7pm to 7am.

DaddyO

349 Posts

Average hours worked annually is approx 2000 (52wks x 40hrs = 2080). 2000hrs x 32.50 = $65,000 annually before taxes.

More with weekend diff.

crn16

21 Posts

What type of facility are you interested in? I started at a jail making 73,000, that was right out of school, evening shift.

DaddyO

349 Posts

What type of facility are you interested in? I started at a jail making 73,000, that was right out of school, evening shift.

I am curious as to what a day is like working at a correctional facility.....can you describe for me ?

Also, is there any OT ?

Lastly, are you considered a State employee ?

crn16

21 Posts

It is a county jail so I am a county employee. The day starts with count, corrections count is longer than a typical hospital count. Every key, syringe, laceration tray, staple remover, scissor, nail clipper, forcep, scalpel, ring cutter and of course narcotic has to be counted. Then you get report on all of the pts in the infirmiry, which can be upto 25. From there you get your assignments from whoever is assigned to be charge nurse that shift, which include: infirmiry rounds, clinic, insulin line, emergency responder, med pass and booking. So your day really depends on which assignments you get, you get multiple assignments because we only have 3-5 nurses per shift.

Assignment breakdown:

-Infirmiry rounds: You assess every pt, do vitals (we don't have any CNA's), chart and give them their meds.

-Clinic: This really depends on your shift. The MD is there Mon-Fri from 9a-5p so you set him up with physicals, assess anybody who is sick and do treatments. Treatments consist of wound care and taking BPs on any inmates who are not housed on the medical unit but need their BP monitired on a daily basis. Evenings do any left over treatments and assess anyone who comes down with injuries, chest pain etc.

-Insulin line: All the diabetics get called to the medical unit for accuchecks and insulin at 7a, noon, 4p and 8p.

-Emergency responders: Respond to any emergencies.

-Med pass: 2 nurses go around the jail, each with a large cart, and give meds to about 200 pts each. While on each housing unit we pickup sick call slips and assess each pt that writes one. After med pass we write notes on each sick call and put them on to see the dr or do whatever needs to be done. This is a very autonmous nursing position.

-Booking-We do a health hx, assessment, and ppd on anyone be admitted to the jail. From here we call the dr about any orders we feel are absolutely needed that night (usually these are HTN meds and benzo detox meds).

So a typical evening for me may be infirmiry rounds, med pass, clinic and emergency responder, but every evening is different. We always keep busy and the paperwork is insane.

julia414

20 Posts

crn- what kind of degree do you have?

crn16

21 Posts

I am an RN with an AAS.

joliette

16 Posts

Specializes in Correction.

Do you know how to apply to be an RN at the jail? I did rotations when I was in school at Bergen County Jail.

+ Add a Comment