What RNs REALLY earn $$

[Hellllllo Nurse]

I have been reading that many feel most RNs make about $60,000. a year, or $25-$30/hr.

Here are the stats on what nurses really earn from The U.S. Dept of Labor:

Earnings [About this section] Back to Top

Median annual earnings of registered nurses were $44,840 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $37,870 and $54,000. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,890, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $64,360. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of registered nurses in 2000 were as follows:

Personnel supply services $46,860

Hospitals 45,780

Home health care services 43,640

Offices and clinics of medical doctors 43,480

Nursing and personal care facilities 41,330

Here's alink to the site:

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm#earnings

[mommajoe]

I just hate to hear how teachers complain about making such low salaries. My mom has been a teacher for approximately 20 years and still continues to complain about pay. Hey, my thoughts are why don't you try working all summer long and a whole lot less days off. Don't get me wrong I love what I do and don't want to teach in a public school, but teaching does have benefits as far as time off!!!

[hogan4736, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by lilpoo_1

hogan, what part of the country do you live? Are you in a specialty field of nursing? Wondering how you can make that kind of $$ working only a few days a week! Lucky you! I only work a few days a week here (Wisconsin) and will be lucky if I gross $20,000 this year.

I live in Phoenix, and just started a job that offers a Baylor plan (Sat/Sun - 16 hour shifts - work 32, get paid for 40 :) )

It's a long term care facility

I negotiated a salary HARD!

They offered 25/hour, I ended up w/ 29.50/hour

I've only ever done ER, this should be good!

2 weeks paid vacation/year (w/ 251 days off, who can complain?)

house supervisor

1 meeting/month on a Thursday

Good times!

[lilpoo_1]

hogan, thanks for your reply. Live large!

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by cchina_doll

I wished I new how you nurses make that much. I completed my BSN from an ADN, and even that made no difference in my wages. I made 27,000 last year in nebraska, and according to our board at the hospital in nebraska, that is the average wage here. Ive also checked elsewhere in nebraska. Nobody even comes close to earning what i am readying here. AM I happy about the situation here...??? NO. but there isn't anything I can do about it. They can pass legislation to get teachers for higher wages here. I think its time to do something for nurses. Is there a nursing shortage?? no. Nurses are going (at least in nebraska) to other jobs where they can make more, rather than working as a nurse.

This is the post that got me! Until recently a BSN was required for nursing in Nebraska. I can't believe that unbelieveably low pay! I hope that wouldn't be indicative of what would happen if minimal BS were eventually required in nursing.

[ScarlettRN]

I for one have to say that if I love my job, the price is not as important as it is when I hate going into work. I never even thought of how much I made until I started doing charge and quit enjoying my job.

[mistersleepy]

Originally posted by cchina_doll

I made 27,000 last year in nebraska, and according to our board at the hospital in nebraska, that is the average wage here. Ive also checked elsewhere in nebraska. Nobody even comes close to earning what i am readying here. AM I happy about the situation here...??? NO. but there isn't anything I can do about it. They can pass legislation to get teachers for higher wages here. I think its time to do something for nurses. Is there a nursing shortage?? no. Nurses are going (at least in nebraska) to other jobs where they can make more, rather than working as a nurse.

I live in Nebraska, have been a nurse for 1 year (ADN) and make $32 an hour. I suggest you check with some other facilities!

[mistersleepy]

Originally posted by sbic56

This is the post that got me! Until recently a BSN was required for nursing in Nebraska. I can't believe that unbelieveably low pay! I hope that wouldn't be indicative of what would happen if minimal BS were eventually required in nursing.

Wrong state, a BSN has never been required in Nebraska, that is North Dakota, a VERY DIFFERENT place!

[SandyB]

Which is more important?

Money?

Job satisfaction?

More time w/pts and for pt teaching, lower pt load?

Woud you take on even more pts for more money? Or be happy to get no raises if they would just lower the pt load?

When I worked acute care I would have taken a pay cut if they just had more nurses! It's hard on the emotions to be unable to really care for the pts...and hard on the back with so little help!

[DMR1]

Although nursing is a very rewarding field to work in, money plays a big part for me. Job security and money are key

[POPRN]

I used to love my job, and would have done it for less money. Now I dread going to work everyday. The management doesn't take care of the staff at all. Favoritism is terrible here. The money isn't too bad for me. I work without benefits so I get more $$ on the hour. But no amount of money is worth the dread I feel when I have to go to work. The upside is the hospital is 5 minutes from my house, the doctors are nice to work with for the most part. I look in the paper daily for a new job. But this is the south and hosptials just don't pay well and jobs are hard to find.

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by mistersleepy

Wrong state, a BSN has never been required in Nebraska, that is North Dakota, a VERY DIFFERENT place!

Ah...my mistake! Sorry about that!

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by SandyB

Which is more important?

Money?

Job satisfaction?

More time w/pts and for pt teaching, lower pt load?

Woud you take on even more pts for more money? Or be happy to get no raises if they would just lower the pt load?

When I worked acute care I would have taken a pay cut if they just had more nurses! It's hard on the emotions to be unable to really care for the pts...and hard on the back with so little help!

All aspects are equally important. I would never barter for what I considered most important. I can only see myself being the loser and the employer being the big winner, if it came down to those tactics. I want to be paid what I am worth for a reasonable job done.