Average salary i can expect...

[Peanut27]

Hi there, after earning a 4 year degree in accounting (dont ask me why i decided to enter the most boring profession known to mankind) i realized the medical profession is my calling. Im seriously contemplating becoming a Nurse but as for many people with families money is a big issue/concern for me, although its not the prime reason why id like to pursue this. I was wondering what the average base pay is for most Nurses who are just starting out? and what i can look forward to as i gain more experience... Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[luvmy2angels]

I live in PA and started out with my first LPN job at $18/hour. Hospitals around here start LPNs out at $12.80/hour. Nursing homes usually pay the highest. You can also make decent money working agency. SOme LPNs i work with make anywhere from $26-$31 hour for agency work and that is an LPN salary(keep in mind most agency want you to have at least 1 year experience. Varies greatly by location in the US.

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

For OP...just a very friendly word of caution....L&D (Maternity) can be a difficult area to get into. Half my nursing school class only wanted L&D and just one person ended up in it. I'd strongly urge you to leave yourself open to the nursing school experience, if you choose that path.

Salaries very so widely, even in my midwestern state. Make sure you look at benefits/retirement plans/time off, etc. Many hospitals have very poor retirement packages.

[Jokerhill]

Check out the latest contract talks on the California Nurssing Association CNA Union web site. It will have what is the latest info CHW. You can check out all county jobs by going onto the County of Kern web site all their jobs and wages are listed there. Do your homework though about each place to work as I have heard CHW wants to go to 8hr shifts and the nurses get called off alot. The county is also in negotiations for higher wages right now so we will see where that goes. Jokerhill

[smilin_gp]

You can also check your area hospital websites, many list available RN positions with current salaries.

[ArmyMSN]

Nursing2006 October just published their national survey of salaries: it varies geographically and by specialty.

On avg, nurses with 5 yrs or less average $46k, 6-10 yrs $51K, 11-15 years $57K, and over 15 yrs of experience $61K.

BSN v. MSN ($55k : $60k).

Specialty Certified v. Uncertified (60K, 52K).

National avg hourly is $20/h.

Salary varies per unit worked (ED is highest, outpatient clinics lowest)

Pacific regions and New England are higher paying (and higer cost of living, I'd guess), while central USA (Minnesota, Oklahoma) is the lowest annual salary.

University setting hospitals pay more than community(lowest), private (next lowest), and VA/military (second highest).

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Sorry about that, i should have mentioned my location. Im in California, Kern County to be exact.

I suppose it is a small world after all. I lived in Kern County for 2 years ('03 to '05), more specifically Bakersfield.

As a new RN you can expect to earn $27 to $30 per hour in Bakersfield, Delano, and other surrounding cities. The Central Valley cities of California, such as Bakersfield, tend to offer lower pay rates than the bigger cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. I hope this helps.