Can a registered nurse live comfortably with their salary?

I live in California. I'm not talking mansion with nice cars and buying anything I want. Just some middle class apartment and a car like a mini cooper or something. I'm just wondering. I'm working to get my BSN right now, and I know I shouldn't be thinking too far into the future, but I just want to know that when/if I eventually get a job, will I be able to live comfortably? I'm single, no kids, just me and a friend being room mates. (she's also working towards her BSN). We wouldn't care for vacations or anything like that, just hanging out around the city is all I can think of as relaxing. Nothing big.

Specializes in SDU, Tele.

this is a great thread for us youngin's lol.

Specializes in ICU.

All my single RN friends live comfortably and drive nice cars. I OTOH, live OK as a single mom. My daughter does not go without, has very nice things, we rent a decent apartment and the car is fine. I paid a lot for her preschool likewise (could have been driving a mini for that money, plus the car I have now!) I enjoy some things myself, and pay my bills. I don't have much by the way of savings, but one one income in NJ (the next most expensive state after CA I think) I don't do so bad.

Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I'm living paycheck to paycheck in California, but I also have a husband who has been unemployed since 2008, and not making progress in school because of the budget cuts. A toddler and a ton of student loans. We do make it by, but barely. Just try to be conscious of your future, finding a significant other can happen....and things change. But in the event you are single and are careful about loans, you will be fine.

Specializes in Neuro ICU/Trauma/Emergency.

In California, which I assume is comparable to the cost of living in NY, you can live a comfortable lifestyle. Me on the other hand, I am addicted to all things luxury...So, I often juggle 3 positions at once & can be found dabbling into other endeavors during the holidays to maximize my lifestyle. It's really dependent on what you deem comfortable. For the lifestyle you have described, of course a nurses salary is enough.

Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.
Who said it had to be a new Mini Cooper? Hello, there is a thing called "buying used"! Besides, Mini Coopers aren't any more expensive than a nicely equipped Toyota Camry. You don't see people in a huff over a nice Camry; they just accept it.

I'm not honestly seeing anyone in a "huff" on this thread...and perhaps even a "nicely equipped Toyota Camry" is out of reach initially.

yes, you can live comfortably, the key is to NEvER live outside of your means, point blank. I drive a new car, live in a nice house in a subdivision, buy whatever i want, ect. i work in LTC 3 days a week and make 60,000 a year. state GA.

Specializes in ICU 3+ years, travel nurse 1+ years.

Agree with most posters on this thread. I live in the midwest, and granted the pay is not the best where I'm from but as a travel nurse I am making it work. I own my own home, drive a brand new car, am paying off my loans and just bought a hot tub (yay!) as well as saving for the future. I do not have kids, however I have a cat who can be just as expensive :rotfl: At the same time I'm supporting my boyfriend as he is going to school. Just budget wisely and you will do fine.

Specializes in Oncology.

Funny thing about California: the salaries do not necessarily coincide with the cost of living. In Sacramento, cost of living is much less than Southern California, yet nurses there start an average of about $10 more an hour than nurses down south. I never could figure that out. When I worked near Los Angeles as a new grad, I lived paycheck to paycheck. Sacramento pays much better and rent is also lower. Bay area nurses make MUCH higher salaries, but cost of living there is outrageously high. So, given that you could get a job in California's saturated market, choose location wisely.

Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

You can get a used mini for a reasonable price not that wouldn't make it anymore expensive that a normal car. Even new mini's aren't that expensive.

I live in LA and I could afford those things on a full time LVN salary so I'm sure on an RN's one you'll be able to manage. Not over paying for rent is the most important thing in this town other than that it's really not that bad.

Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

The words "live comfortably" means different things to different people. Some people can make $100,000 per year and NOT live comfortably, while others can do it with less than 50,000. My sister has been an RN in canada for a number of years, shes only 34 have a nice new house, 2 cars, 3 kids, her husband works but she makes more than him, and yes they live comfortably, but what works for Peter make not work for Paul...if you single, first thoughts should be getting financially gounded with a sizable 12 month emergency savings and investment account, then worry about the new car, it will come in time.

I live in West Hollywood and quite comfortably as well. I live within my means. You can do it quite easily and listen to what everyone is saying. Making $100K a year here as a nurse is comfy living like most said not living in a mansion but definitely nothing to worry about as long as you have no bills or monetary obligations.

Specializes in Emergency.

Yes. You can live comfortably. I own my home (not a mansion) and I drive a BMW that I bought new. The house and the car are the ONLY debt I have, I also save a considerable amount of money each month. Just be smart with your spending and don't over use credit cards, you should be fine.

& I'm in SoCal

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