Houston! "Oh you're an RN, nurses make great money"- Seriously....

Fun2, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2008

Is that your first job as an RN?

I was told that nurses, for the most part, have to change locations in order to make more money.

(This was from someone who had quit where I was doing my clinical, worked somewhere else for a while, then returned to the first location because that's where she truly wanted to work.)

Sad, but that seems to be true if the facility won't give good raises.

stepaukob · Sep 6, 2008

I worked with someone who was doing agency. He would get more per hour ($40.00), would pick up as many shifts as possible (many times working doubles) to get as much overtime as he could. He would also take a good part of the summer off without pay and has grossed over 100K 5 out of the last 8 years.

I'm not disciplined enough to work agency, I would take too much time off. BTW, I'm in the Northeast and the pay is here is higher than most of the country.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2008

I am trying to figure out why the general population seems to think that Rn's make great money.

I think it all depends on which crowd is discussing the nurse's pay. To be blunt, poor and working-class people are more inclined to think that RNs are paid well. For instance, the person who gets paid $11 hourly to work at a call center will be prone to believe that the RN with the $25 hourly rate is earning "big bucks."

I come from a lower working-class family with only 2 college graduates (one cousin is an RN and the other cousin has a BA in early childhood education). The remainder of my family members are either high school dropouts or high school graduates who are very alienated from the realm of higher education and the professional workforce. Many of my relatives are unemployed due to lack of skills or educational attainment. The ones that do have employment tend to be working in low-paying service occupations or temp agency work.

Anyhow, they think I earn a whole lot of money, regardless of the fact that I'm an LVN. If I was standing in their shoes, I would probably think so, too. My mother is presently unemployed and my father earns $12 hourly at a major retail store, so I can understand and appreciate their limited perspectives.

akanini, MSN, RN · Sep 6, 2008

This is so true and this is the reason why I hate when people say, "Don't go into nursing for the money!"

Umh!!!! REALLY!!!??

carachel2 · Sep 6, 2008

Almost 50K per year for a relatively new college graduate IS good $$ last time I checked.

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2008

You make $50K a year after taxes. Assuming you file single, you're in the 25% tax bracket, which means your gross income is ~$67K.

I'd say making $67K/year is pretty decent for somebody a couple years out of college. Salary.com lists gross income, not net.

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Sep 6, 2008

It's because the average person doesn't make $29 an hour, and to them, it seems like a lot of money.

As far as Houston goes, I've read many times, on this forum, that Houston has some of the best pay for nurses, along with great cost of living (relative to other areas).

Don't try to compare your net salary (after taxes) with the average gross salary (pre-tax).

I am trying to figure out why the general population seems to think that Rn's make great money. Granted I've only been a nurse for 2 years now but I work 3 twelves plus call as a PACU nurse and after insurance and taxes, I take home less than 50K/yr. I am making 25.50 base plus a 3.50 diff. for part of my shift and i get 3.50/hr. for on-call pay. Sounds not too bad on paper but 48K/year and I work my butt off. When I think back to my college days of waiting tables in a sushi bar, there were many nights when I took home $20/hr. I recently did a salary compare on monster and it says the average pay for nurses in my area is around 60K with the low end around 56K! Hmmm.... I'm not even close!
So, now that I'm done with my whoa is me story:) Can someone please tell me if it gets better, is my pay the norm here in Houston, do I need to find another hospital??? I am physically exhausted after my shifts so the thought of picking up over time is not an option. Besides the last time I did that, taxes ate up most of it. I need some advice b/c with student loans due, bills, etc.. this pay barely cuts it! What else can I do as an RN that might offer better pay? Any ideas??? Thanks!!!

Fun2, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2008

We moved,and my daughter had a friend come over to the new house. The friend said, "Did y'all get rich now that your mom's working?" :chuckle

Ummm....no.

taapple · Sep 7, 2008

No the 50k is before taxes, after taxes its somewhere in the 35K give or take range. 67K gross would be awesome. In addition, if I was 22 years old just out of school for a couple years, I would have to agree that 50K is not bad. Unfortunately, im in my thirties, graduated in 1998 with a bachelor's and went back to school as a second career in nursing when I was 29. I realize its all relative to a person's level of education but i guess thats the reason I made the comparison to my waitressing job in college. I can't believe how my wages then are not too far behind what they are as an RN except now I have a hefty student loan under my belt. Also, I have heard as another poster said, that you have to continually change jobs to incease your pay. I have considered agency and the pay is $40/hr which is great but I have mixed feelings about it after to talking to many agency nurses, so still in debate.

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Sep 7, 2008

Regardless of your age, you are still relatively new to the nursing industry. It's this lack of experience, not your age, that determines your salary.

taapple · Sep 7, 2008

I understand a new nurse is a new nurse and by no means do I think with 2 years experience I am an expert. But thats exactly what I am asking to those nurses that have been in it longer?? Is it a slow climb in pay, at what point can you expect more, do nurses usually top out at a certain amount? I feel competent in my skills with plenty more to learn but is it 3 years, 5 years, etc.. does it take switching to a different hospital b/c I know my facility like others seems to only give 50 cent raise after a year maybe a buck. Ouch!