Can RNs really make this much?

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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.

Maybe in some state but I doubt that nurses make that much just after their first year..In Chicago metropolian area they start a new grad with 26 per hours (plus 2 dollars diff for the evening shift,and then another 3 dollars for nights and another three dollars for the weekend worked--so all together the max they can make is 33...I reside in Iowa and as a new grad I was offered for a day shift 20.77 plus 3 dollars more for every hour after 6 pm.

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I am sorry but I do not agree. My cousin just bought a house in Michigan and her mortgage is less than my rent (she pays just under $500). Average rent in S.F. is well over 2,000. My SIL&BIL use to live in Pasadena and they paid $2,000/ month for a 1 bedroom apartment on lease (even more if you did not sign a lease). When you have a cost of living difference that much people need to be paid more...

I dont know really?? Cause I moved to Iowa that "*supposedly* should be one of the cheapest state to live in..yeah right!!! The rents are just as high as in an expensive states (for instance Illinois),food cost the same or sometimes even more,car oil changes also the same..nothing and I mean nothing is less expensive and I took a huge pay cut by moving here (In my former state new grads starting on nights make 30 dollars per hour) and in Iowa once off an ortientation I will be put on a evening shift and will be making from 3pm to 6 pm 20.77 and after 6.pm to 11 pm 23.99 so I will be making 1000 dollars less than my friends back in illinois

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Specializes in Emergency, Nursing Management, Auditing.

when i started out in NH, i made 20.50+5.00 night differential. when i moved to the LA area with a year of ER experience, i started at 29.55+4.00 night differential, but have rapidly gotten raises in the year and a half i have been working here. i also make 1.25 more an hour base because i obtained my MICN cert. so now my base is about 33.00. BTW this is one of the lowest paying hospitals in the LA area.... and i feel plenty comfortable on this salary, although i do agree with previous posters that you can't truly put a pricetag on the effort we put into our jobs!!

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i currently reside in the bay area and yes i believe that the nurses are paid pretty fairly. I only work Fri-Sun, 8 hour shifts and I easily made over 80k just working my weekend shift, not to mention that I receive full benefits without any contribution on my half for me and my family. I could easily make more but I would rather devote my time to my kids. I live quite comfortably on my salary and it does not cost me an arm and a leg to live, but it just depends on where you choose to live in the bay area. Yes S.F. is very expensive but there are other areas that are reasonable, especially since the housing crisis hit.

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

I'm a boy but that's OK. They used to confuse my gender when I was young and my mom kept my hair long too. LOL

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New grads start around $44 and hour in SF Bay area. Add onto that shift differential and weekend differential.

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Specializes in CVICU.
I'm a boy but that's OK. They used to confuse my gender when I was young and my mom kept my hair long too. LOL
Ha! Sorry, I'm guilty of stereotyping nurses as women, even though I work with several male RN's!
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Specializes in Peri-Op.

I dont really know how much OT I got all year. but probably average 15-20 a pay period(14 days) during the busy times but I also take off as much as I possibly can..... I also take alternating weeks of call at $3/hr for 24/7 regardless of if I am there or not I am getting paid something(I was on call every week for a while until I got someone trained for my sub-specialty.... It all adds up more than I thought it would.

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Here (Columbus, OH) it would be far more unheard of. they are advertising NP positions at 36$ an hour, so I would find it hard to believe an RN could make 50.

HOWEVER - your economy in LA is a helluva lot different, and from a friend I've talked to, your base of pay very different as well. What pays 10$ an hour here pays 15$ an hour there...so perhaps that is where the difference is.

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Well regardless of how much you are making and with all the differential add-ons and what not (sorry, don't know the lingo yet), I'm sure that Donna Summer was what "s/he works hard for the money" (and no, I'm not calling anyone a hooker :p:rolleyes:) and like someone said, is there really a pricetag you can put on what you do for your patients and your hospitals, and the sacrafices you make?

Thanks all for providing insight!

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

Fortunately I love my job.

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I have several years in med/surg, took a break and was making $63,000,in psy nursing. It is easier than med/surg, but you have some difficult things to do and there is always the danger of being hurt by a patient. A nurse works hard and she earns every penny she makes. It is a hard but rewarding job.

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