Does Psy nursing pay more

As a new grad unable to land a spot where I'd really like to be, I accepted a psych position at the state mental hospital. I was offered $4798 per month to start. I'll be on swing shift which will give me an additional $1.85 per hour. Oh, and I have to work every other weekend and that's an additional $1.60 an hour. So, on a weekend swing shift I could be making around $33 per hour as a baby nurse.

I'm jealous. Depending on where you live in the country and what the cost of living is.....

Oregon and cost of living is high....I think.

I worked med surg/ortho surg before coming to psych. Get paid about 1$ less /hr., but I don't mind. I was not that thrilled working where I was. It is worth it.

I work at a state mental health hospital. My base pay is $22.11. (not including the extra $2 just for working there). The pay is based on experience. In the hospital the base pay is $20.00 for everyone. In the hospital i worked telemetry days for 10 months straight out of school. Never had a chance to sit down let along think. Now i work psych nights and have too much time to think. Not that i'm complaining . I make $30(including shift diffs) and on weekends i make $37. My income increased by $1200/month and my stress level went back to normal. Did i forget to say I love my job? I live in Louisiana; cost of living is low.

I too am interested in mental health nursing....to suson 2007....are you an LPN or an RN? also, is working for a state mental hospital considered a government job? one more question...do state mental hospitals pay better than for profit psychiatric hospitals??? just curious...the state mental hospital in my area is ALWAYS hiring LPN's/RN's....new grads too

Hi shelbee. I am a RN but they also hire LPNs. It is a state government job. With great state benefits. I've never worked at a for profit psych facility but in my opinion (and it is just an opinion) LOUISIANA state hospitals pay more than for profit, especially for RNs. I don't know your state or the facility but make sure you shadow before taking an offer. I've heard some horror stories about psych facilities. At my facility they treat the nurses (LPN and RN) like GOLD. Safety! Safety! Safety!

I live in louisville, kentucky so I think the cost of living is about average. The state hospital in my area is central state. My mental health teacher worked there for like 4 years and another instructor has been there for over 12 years and they both love it. I plan on going straight thru to get my rn. I was wondering if that was a government job, so thats good that it is. I hear they have great benefits. thanks for your feedback!

I live in Auckland New Zealand. Top rate Staff nurse (meaning top of salary scale), do shifts and work full time.
Take home pay last year was around $88000. That was with very little overtime.
At todays exchange rate that equates to : $63360 US dollars. However its unfair to convert it as $1 USD will buy the same as $1 New Zealand.

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!

How's the weather in New Zealand?????????????