Can nurses live a luxurious life?

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Hello,

I live in NY and I plan on being a RN and getting a bachelors degree. The majority of answers I've seen on this topic is "it's not about the money" etc. I would never take a job for the money bc I know I'd end up hating and regretting it. However, is it possible as a nurse to live a luxurious life where you can afford nice things? Thanks in advance for the answers.

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Absolutely, without a doubt. Just marry a surgeon.

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Specializes in Hospice.

It depends on what you consider luxurious. I think sipping a nice glass of wine in a steamy bubble bath luxurious, so yeah I'm living luxuriously LOL.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

In general nurses get paid very well compared to other bachelor or associate degree professions. As a bedside nurse with no experience you may not be living "luxuriously" but you should be comfortable. As you climb the ranks and move into more leadership or management positions, your earning potential will increase. Of course you can always go on to be a CRNA if you really want a salary bump (though the trade off will be additional student loans and a few years of rigorous study.

Search sites like Glassdoor for average nursing salaries in your city. Then compare it to the median average or draw up a rough mock budget.

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I wouldn't say I live luxuriously but I am happy and comfortable. I have a good vehicle, a nice home and I am able to give my kids a good life. Happiness is more than money :)

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You can project an image of living luxuriously if you want to work 80 hour weeks and max out your credit cards. Freedom is luxury, to me. I have to work very little to maintain my modest lifestyle.

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Specializes in NICU.

It is possible in lower cost of living areas. NYC and California would not be your top choice of locations to live luxurious on a nurses salary.

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It is hard to say. Look at what statistically counts as the average family income in your area with the average nurse pay.

It helps to define "luxury". Personally I define luxury as something still out of reach to most middle-class people like a private plane, fully staffed second or third home, impractical careers supported by a trust fund etc.

Other people might define it has having a stable life with a house, car, bills paid and enough left over for some fun. In most areas nursing will provide that, but there are many variables.

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I met a nurse who lived in the luxury home of a wealthy man who was her employer. I do not know how much she was paid in addition to her room and board, or how much "run of the house" she had, but I was warned that the additional agency nurses that were brought in ostensibly to take her place, did not appreciate the Harvey Weinstein style sexual propositions from the employer. While some people might welcome a $10,000 fee for the performance of sexual favors not taught in nursing school, others find it contrary to the moral turpitude restrictions of holding a professional license. Yet, that nurse engaged in soap opera drama in attempts to discredit the agency nurses brought in to do her job. She obviously did not want to leave the situation. The luxury living suited her well. Sometimes luxury has its price.

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Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.

I wouldn't say luxurious per say. But you can buy a decent house and car. Do some travelling. And maybe even buy the odd nice thing (designer bags and shoes is what comes to my mind). But it depends on idea of luxury and how well you are with money. But as a new grad, I can tell you I feel like I'm living in luxury after 4 long years of being a poor student.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

I have a Harley Davidson....does that count?

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I have a Harley Davidson....does that count?

Yes it does!!!!

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