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.

[FlyingScot, RN]

Yeah but that answer really doesn't fit the OP's need or neighborhood. She lives in LA there is NOWHERE in LA you can buy for $120,000 (hard to find something for $400k either) so renting a nice apartment is probably as good as it gets. Also Mini Coopers aren't expensive, they really aren't. The OP was asking us if she will be able to buy the things SHE deems important. Maybe she doesn't want to drive a Subaru so she can afford a sailboat instead.

Did you actually read my post? No where in it did I tell her to only spend 120k on a house or to buy a Subaru or a sailboat. What I gave her were examples of how I am able to live comfortably on the salary for my part of the country by using good judgement when it comes to money. I never told her not to rent a nice apartment. I didn't even tell her not to get a Mini. I just said wait until you an afford it while still putting money in savings. I gave her sound financial advice born from many years of experience and fiscal responsibility. People get themselves into real trouble with the "I want it now" mentality." Why do you think there are so many foreclosures these days? Or how about bankruptcies and student loan defaults? Because people don't think about tomorrow when it comes to spending money today. Everybody told her she could live comfortably on her salary...including me.

[Nonetheless]

When you are young and single an RN makes a lot of money (not luxury but enough to rent a small place and have a car and food) . When you are older and have a family, it's enought to get by paycheck to paycheck and nothing more. Aim for higher education and income and aim to move up.

I understand your anxiety. My family makes a pretty good living and I worry that I will not be able to provide the same for whatever children I have in the future. But while I have met nurses who were getting by I never met nurses in complete poverty and desolation.

[CrossCountryRN2008]

It can be when single. Not providing for kids. Before a kid, my income went far and was saving. Add in a kid and relocation for spouse's job then his furlough and it is a struggle

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Yes, you can live comfortably. You can't live extravagently. You have to choose what's important to spend your money on. I've been a nurse for 35 years. I've always had a nice place to live -- not grand, but not miserable either. And a dependable car.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

This post should be a sticky.

amen!, right on