would you be a RN for $11.00/hr?

[PHLEBOTOMIST_TO_RN]

Just for fun lets just pretend the starting wage for an RN (regardless of education just RN) started at $11.00 hr. Would you still be a nurse? Also, what would be an acceptable starting pay for you to consider the field?. Ill start it off by saying no I would not at $11 hr (to much risk, slave wage for the type of job it is etc) and even though our starting pay around here is $27 hr for new grads I would work for about $20 hr. Be honest with you answers :)

[RGN1]

The starting wage for an RN in the UK is about the equivalent of that!!

[mtngrl, ASN, RN]

NO. But didn't make much more than that in my first 2 nursing jobs (and this only within the past 2 years). Dr's office (my first RN job) paid $14.....which is great compared to the $15.25 I got at a hospital for med-surg!!!!!! Tons more work and stress and only a dollar more???? Yeah I have since left hospital nursing!!!! Nurses are not paid enough for what we have to deal with. If I can go make $15 an hour somewhere in another job and do less than half the work nursing entails then I'm sending my resume asap!

PS My jobs were in SC and TN.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Actually, I am seeing very low starting salaries for RNs on this thread, that it is shocking to me. In New York, they start with nothing less than about $37-$40 an hour if not moreso. LPNs here may start with at least $20-$25. I have a friend who is an RN that was about to move to Virginia (I think), and she changed her mind when she saw the current salaries. But, on the other hand, the cost of living here is higher...and the quality of life is not the same. A home in the south is much better put together than one here, and there is more to show for the money in other states.

I would not work for $11 an hour as an RN. I make more than that as an LPN now, without the additional responsibilities of the RN.

[RNOTODAY, BSN, RN]

Nope . I have enough trouble doing it now for the (half way decent ) wage I get now.

[ZootRN]

Where the $11 comes from? Why not $10 or $12?

I've seen LPN's recently making $12 an hour. And the only difference with RN's was that RN had to sign off on their care plans.

It was an interesting article in AJN not so long ago, study was done about how many nursing hours per patient spent and improved outcomes with more hours. Nothing new, but the whole motion was to start sum up those hours and make insurance companies pay for them. My only concern is that instead of cutting those cost out of their profits, insurance companies most likely will raise their premiums instead, leaving even more people without coverage.

[Balder_LPN, LPN]

Not when an ED tech here makes just over 11 entry level with a CNA license. Same for registratation at the hospital. Too much education expense, hard work, responsibility, and liability for me to work as an RN at 11/hr.

[pcicurn7]

No. I make double that money at my current job, without a degree. I would have gone back to college still, however, i would have had a different major.

New grad salary in NYC is ~$34-$38, and that's without differential and without any experience. Differential around here can up your salary from 5 to 10K. It so depends where you live. And if the cost of live is not so cheap and the industry is paying you pennies, then its time to consider moving somewhere else.

[SK-222]

I'd think items such as cost of living, and overall quality of life need to be considered. Additionally, what kind of benefits or other perks? In an area with a low cost of living, $11/hr with full benefits, med, dental, etc., a good 401k program, etc., could make it worth all the while. It would really depend on what other perks there were (such as a low to no stress environment) and factors to make such low pay worth the while. Another poster mentioned scholarships, so the cost of education and those paying off student loans would be another issue. Many variables to think of.

Unless the employer were just offering amazing benefits to make $11/hr as an RN worth the while, I would highly question what kind of rat-hole-in-the-wall type of employer they were.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Not a chance!

[mistydave]

no- and I don't care if someone says we are in it for money. of course we are. Everyone does something for money to support their home. It doesn't matter if you mop floors, clean bathrooms, fix airplanes or own a pet shop, everyone is trying to just make a living.

[Hinnahwill]

No Way!! When I started nursing 20 years ago I started at $8/hr. I have made no less than $20/hr for the past 7 years. I am currently making $25/hr as an ADON which I feel is not nearly enough considering I am working on salary and I usually work no less than 50 to 60 hours a week.

[fultzymom]

No way! The STNA's at my work make that if they are contingent. Too much responsiblity for that amount of money.