A question to new grads...how satisfied are you with your new salary ?

[Back2Nursing09]

I know Registered Nurses earn a pretty good salary.Is it true that hospitals start you off with a $50,000 or more ?

[GM2RN]

Only if you put in the minimum and got an Associates Degree.

Not exactly. There are plenty of professions that require a bachelor's degree for entry level that don't come near to paying $50K/yr to start.

[azilliRN]

i have been a registered nurse for the last 8 months and i live in albuquerque, new mexico. our salaries here are competitive - can't complain about my salary and i am thankful to have a job in this tough economy. the salaries in new mexico range between 50k-60k a year. however, the cost of living here is expensive, as well.

is anyone from portland, or? what do nurses make up there? i am planning on moving back to the west coast (i'm originally from southern and northern california) within the next year or so and i am looking into the oregon.

bottom line: nurses are underpaid and overworked!

[Flying ICU RN]

Bottom line: Nurses are underpaid and overworked!

While it may not seem so at the moment, you will see simple economic supply and demand at work in the very near future. There will be a scramble again for anyone with both a license and a pulse, driving our labor cost through the roof.

[DCtraumarn]

Agree....

[LouisVRN, RN]

In AZ about $25/hr with $4 for a shift differential. Now with our continued competency program and a few raises I make about $34 after almost two years.

[86toronado, BSN, RN]

I live in upstate NY, and will make about $70k this year, with some OT (about 4-8 hours/week). This will be my first full year of nursing.

Am I satisfied with this salary? Well, in my old career I worked 60 hours a week, and made 38k, with a bachelor's degree in my field. So I'm quite satisfied to make almost twice as much while working only 3 or 4 nights a week, with just an associate's degree. I guess it's all in your perspective.