first year nurse pay

Crux1024 · Dec 14, 2009

The pay will vary depending on where you are. Use Salary.com to figure out your areas average. Alot of hospitals dont have a huge pay difference for ADN/ASN or BSN, thats also area and hospital dependant. Switching your majors is up to you. I personally dont think the job situation will be like this forever. it may be that by the time you graduate, there are jobs and places hiring.

ok2bme · Dec 14, 2009

I get $23.50/hr starting pay in psych..most of my friends are starting at $21-22, seems to be pretty standard, except for areas with an exceptionally high cost of living (where you get paid more). When it comes to ADN vs BSN, know your area! Some cities are notorious for hiring virtually all BSNs, especially for new grads; where I live, Texas, it's not that big of a deal. Some hospitals pay a slight differential for having a BSN, usually it's

sunnycalifRN · Dec 14, 2009

$32/hr is pretty standard in SF Bay area. but, cost of housing is astronomical, even in this recession.

For this area, the ADN vs BSN is just supply and demand. When hospitals can be picky, like now, they may give preference to BSN. At times when supply of RN's is low, ADN's get hired quickly, too. However, at both times, there is no difference in starting pay; the difference occurs when ADN's try to advance beyond nurse II (they cannot).

The job situation still sucks in this area, too. From what I've heard, about 10% of graduating classes are finding jobs.

Lola77 · Dec 14, 2009

The absolute best way to get a nursing job is to work as a tech while in nursing school even if you can only swing one day a week. I worked as a tech just on Sundays during nursing school and when I graduated it was assumed I would just stay and work as a nurse. The hospital gets to know you, see that you are a good worker. They would rather hire within. Plus, you can get to know the nurse leaders, etc, not to mention that I learned so incredibly much as a tech. I give this advice to every single nursing student.

Also, I make $26/hour as a new nurse here in Florida :)

Good luck and don't let $$ be the only thing to make up your mind - if you don't like nursing the biggest paycheck in the world won't make you happy.

pnxyooj, RN · Feb 27, 2015

Hi Lola77, when you said you work as a tech, can you specific what kind of tech. I'm looking to go into nursing but I want work at the same time and can't seem to find a job that would fit. TIA!

Libby1987 · Feb 27, 2015

$32/hr is pretty standard in SF Bay area. but, cost of housing is astronomical, even in this recession.
For this area, the ADN vs BSN is just supply and demand. When hospitals can be picky, like now, they may give preference to BSN. At times when supply of RN's is low, ADN's get hired quickly, too. However, at both times, there is no difference in starting pay; the difference occurs when ADN's try to advance beyond nurse II (they cannot).
The job situation still sucks in this area, too. From what I've heard, about 10% of graduating classes are finding jobs.

Ouch. I think we do better over here on the other side of the Valley.

I'm moving to SF proper in the near future, I never considered I'd take a pay cut, sure hope that isn't the case.

apozepam, MSN · May 1, 2015

Great question. I had the same concern when I was completing nursing school and preparing to sit for the NCLEX. The best advice is to echo what previous users have stated -- do your research and know your area.

My situation was unique in that I was relocating halfway across the country due to my partner's job. Unfortunately, we were moving to a place where I had zero contacts and did not attend school or complete clinicals. That in and of itself was challenging. The best approach, in this instance, is to network and feed off any and all resources and potential leads. If you're staying nearby where you attended school, hit up your clinical sites and utilize your professors and mentors.

Fortunately for me, we were relocating to the upper Midwest where nurses are compensated fairly well -- at least relative to the USA and our location. I lucked out and started at $26.25/hr in a LTC setting for my first job with no nursing experience. I was never a CNA or tech, so that was another obstacle in terms of illustrating my experience.

After "doing my time" in LTC, I started applying to acute care positions and scored a couple interviews. After just 12 months of RN experience, I accepted an acute care position for $38/hr (including +$4/hr NOC diff). As far as nursing goes, I only hold an ADN. However, I have a BS in a science field and a MPH. My hospital system is unionized and--fortunately for me--is honoring my MPH by compensating me on the MSN pay scale. I believe this is probably a unique situation, but it's exciting nonetheless. Again, it just reinforces to know your area, what you're worth, and to sell yourself as best as you can.

Hang in there. It's definitely worth it in the longrun. Do your time, regardless of your first position, and it will pay off. Best of luck to you!

Bbett, MSN, NP · May 1, 2015

I read through the thread but didn't see where you were located OP. Here in Michigan it is not very hard to find an RN job. My peers and I are all getting hired in various hospitals in the area and we haven't graduated yet. Starting pay for us seems to be similar hospital to hospital at about 26-30/ hr.(the 30/hr being midnight shifts) I hope you don't let rumors scare you into not pursuing your career choice! There will always be jobs out there for people that make themselves good candidates!