What do you think should be the starting salary for nurses?

Xbox Live Addict · Nov 28, 2007

I've been looking at this site for a few years, and one thing that I've seen is that many of you feel that nurses are not paid enough, and others have stated that $25 to $30 per hour for a starting salary is still too low for what nurses do. I was just wondering what you all think the starting salary should be for nurses, either LPN/LVN or RN, and what the actual starting salaries are in your area. I'm still a CNA, but here in the south Jersey area, I've been told by nurses that LPNs usually start at $17 to $20 per hour, and RNs start at $23 to $25 per hour.

In Oklahoma: Starting wages for LPN: $12-15/hour. RN: $17-20/hour in the Oklahoma City metro area. Yeah, definitely underpaid. It's even worse in rural areas, where $10-12 for new LPNs and $14-16 for new RNs is the norm.

When I went on vacation to New York City last year, I saw an ad announcing bus driver positions: $18/hour to start, $25 an hour after 2 years. It blew me away.

mcknis · Nov 28, 2007

I think it should be $1,000,000 but it will never happen. Here in OH RNs start between $18-25/hr. I think that is fairly comparable, but a little higher couldn't hurt anybody.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 28, 2007

I think that being an RN should afford you the ability to drive a decent car (not necessarily a Lexus or BMW), live in a nice neighborhood, own a house and provide adequately for their families. So...I guess I can't give a number since it will vary by area.

Proverbs 16:3 · Nov 28, 2007

In Oklahoma: Starting wages for LPN: $12-15/hour. RN: $17-20/hour in the Oklahoma City metro area. Yeah, definitely underpaid. It's even worse in rural areas, where $10-12 for new LPNs and $14-16 for new RNs is the norm.
When I went on vacation to New York City last year, I saw an ad announcing bus driver positions: $18/hour to start, $25 an hour after 2 years. It blew me away.

$17 for an RN. lol...i make close to that amount working night as a student nurse in a hospital here in PA. I know a CNA who works in a hospital by my house and makes 19 an hour. He said that's what they paid them. I used to live in the four state area which includes KS, OK, AR, etc. and i know i wouldn't work there as a nurse - the pay is too little.

Maybe when they lose nurses, they might bump it up a bit.

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2007

$30.00 an hour isn't enough to work in an ER, or any critical care area...we need HAZARD pay! I am not sure any amount is worth our license in this litigeous society! I would say $50.00 and up.

Maisy;)

ASSEDO · Nov 28, 2007

I have 40 years of battle fatigue and make $24.00, BS degree, Certification too

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2007

"I have 40 years of battle fatigue and make $24.00, BS degree, Certification too"

That is not enough! A move to NJ would assure you probably 2x as much. God bless you obviously a force beyond money drives you...

As for the others, my son made more as a kid in HS working as a certified pharmacy tech! It just isn't right....human's lives are in our hands.

Maisy;)

angel337, MSN, RN · Nov 28, 2007

it really depends on where you live, but i think 65k-70k a year is a nice starting salary. most nurses have to work OT to bring that home. i made over 60k my first year as a nurse. i only picked up 2 shifts per pay period and some of those shifts were bonused.

Shantas · Nov 28, 2007

In So Cal where I work the starting wage for a RN is $30+....The Bay area even pays higher.

For the jobs we do and also considering the cost of living I think we should get paid at least $40- $50/hr...

nurseinlimbo · Nov 28, 2007

Here in Alberta Canada, the start wage is around $28 per hour, with the max being $36 after 10 years. We get good shift diff, charge and weekend diff though, sometimes as much as $7 more per shift if you work a weekend night and are charge. I think it is enough, but could do without the hassle of always being required to do more shifts and work OT when no one will come in.

Shantas · Nov 28, 2007

Here in Alberta Canada, the start wage is around $28 per hour, with the max being $36 after 10 years. We get good shift diff, charge and weekend diff though, sometimes as much as $7 more per shift if you work a weekend night and are charge. I think it is enough, but could do without the hassle of always being required to do more shifts and work OT when no one will come in.

The one thing I did not like it there was I had to do both days, evening and nights...rotating shifts. But here in So Cal....either days, eveing or nights....is it still the same in Alberta??