Can RNs really make this much?

caffeineRx · Feb 12, 2010

That is not the norm @ ALL, but yes, it is possible.

Also, $50/hr is STILL not enough for what nurses have to go through.

I'd hate to be one of the people that got into it purely for money. It's

not a job you get rich of off.

oramar · Feb 12, 2010

In Pittsburgh they are making about $22 or $23 after their first year. If you add in health insurance and other benies it probably does cost the employer a lot more but I doubt if many people make that an hour. My daughter's best friend is a CRNA and is making over $100,000 but that is a special case.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 12, 2010

Caveat Emptor - if salaries are very high there's always a reason for it.

Moogie · Feb 12, 2010

Caveat Emptor - if salaries are very high there's always a reason for it.

And right now I would be wary of a place that is offering sign-on bonuses that seem too good to be true, particularly if the bonus is paid (or partially paid) upfront. If anything goes wrong, nurses do end up having to pay back those bonuses if, for whatever reason, they do not complete the time specified by the facility.

MiahMSN, MSN, RN · Feb 12, 2010

In Pittsburgh they are making about $22 or $23 after their first year. If you add in health insurance and other benies it probably does cost the employer a lot more but I doubt if many people make that an hour. My daughter's best friend is a CRNA and is making over $100,000 but that is a special case.

yeah, the average I've always heard out here is $35-$40/hour starting. Yet, when I hear of the huge differences in salary amongst states, it perplexes me. $22/$23 is such a huge difference compared to $35/$40+. Yes, cost of living is a factor, but when the work is the same, the pay should be the same, regardless.

*then i pinch and remind myself that life isn't fair, so why should salaries be......right?* SMH :rolleyes:

50caliber · Feb 12, 2010

Yes its very possible. In the Bay Area, most 1st year nurses start off around 42-44/hr base. Add night differential and you are easily up to 50 plus/hr. Most of my 1st year nursing friends made over 100-110k. Not bad.

If you are the top of the pay scale at Kaiser, it is 50.00/hr base. This takes about 10 years to get up there.

Or you can work per diem for example at Santa Clara Valley Medical center and your hourly pay is 60-74/hr. Here is the link: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/santaclara/default.cfm?&promotionaljobs=0&transfer=0

Again, it may sound like a lot of money but it is ridiculously expensive to live in this area and this basically off sets your salary. It does not surprise me but a lot of people in the Bay Area get into nursing for the money and there is nothing wrong with that. I doubt its 100% for the money but you can't argue that they are motivated by it.

babyburperrn · Feb 12, 2010

I work in the Bay Area (San Jose) and yes, nurses are making upwards of $50/hr. I think new nurses start somewhere in the 40/hr range and quickly move up thanks to many hospitals having scheduled union pay raises. The cost of living here is still very high though...I think it's all relative.

MiahMSN, MSN, RN · Feb 12, 2010

Yes its very possible. In the Bay Area, most 1st year nurses start off around 42-44/hr base. Add night differential and you are easily up to 50 plus/hr. Most of my 1st year nursing friends made over 100-110k. Not bad.
If you are the top of the pay scale at Kaiser, it is 50.00/hr base. This takes about 10 years to get up there.
Or you can work per diem for example at Santa Clara Valley Medical center and your hourly pay is 60-74/hr. Here is the link: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/santaclara/default.cfm?&promotionaljobs=0&transfer=0
Again, it may sound like a lot of money but it is ridiculously expensive to live in this area and this basically off sets your salary. It does not surprise me but a lot of people in the Bay Area get into nursing for the money and there is nothing wrong with that. I doubt its 100% for the money but you can't argue that they are motivated by it.

Oh believe me, I know! I went to undergrad at UC Berkeley and my dad and that side of my family are from Oakland, so I know how freaking expensive the bay is!!! I was even considering applying to a few direct-entry schools out there, as I know I could live at my Dad's rent free for 2 years - but I'm a southern cali girl and if I complain about the lil iddy biddy rain we get, I would be a cussing sailor dealing with the bay's rain all over again! LOL :rolleyes:

efy2178 · Feb 12, 2010

50.00 an hour? Not in the midwest. I have been an RN for 25 years and I make 32.00. A good friend of mine made 35.00 as a traveler. we both had BSNs and now I have my MSN but did not get a pay increase.

efy2178 · Feb 12, 2010

Ok, so I started a CNA program this week as I want to work as a CNA while completing my direct-entry MSN program. My instructor last night whom's a RN/CNS and administrator at Kaiser, said that she has RNs on her floor making over $50/hour after their first year. I know nursing can be lucrative, but I was surprised at this type of earning potential after a year. I'm in Los Angeles so I know Cali can make more than other states, but this really shocked me. No wonder programs are impacted everywhere. I know (at least I hope) most people get into the profession for reasons other than money (although this helps and shouldn't be ignored), but I can see how it could attract those looking to make an excellent salary.

Look at Salary.com and see what they say:

http://www.salary.com/salary/index.asp

MiahMSN, MSN, RN · Feb 12, 2010

50.00 an hour? Not in the midwest. I have been an RN for 25 years and I make 32.00. A good friend of mine made 35.00 as a traveler. we both had BSNs and now I have my MSN but did not get a pay increase.

I guess it really depends on location, cost of living, etc., because to me, that's the ONLY reason why hospitals in nothern california (which is the most expensive area to live in cali) would pay over $50/hour. And these are not CRNAs, but staff nurses.