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

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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!!!

Every agency that I have ever dealt with (a whole lot) wanted one year of experience in the area that they would send you to. Like the other poster said, your only other option is to work for them as an LPN and have them just "bump you over" to RN pay/status after boards. I would NOT suggest this as the roles are very different and you have NO ONE to fall back on as an agency RN.

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Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.

I think nurses do make good money, I do. That is here in Texas BTW

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Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.
Did any of you see where Presby Plano and Presby Dallas are offering $45 an hour for their "winter plan" now you do have to work at least 2 holidays and agree to work at least 16 weeks between now and April 2009. I am just astonished and can't wait to get done with NS!!!!

Doctor's also ran a similar ad this weekend and are offering $42 plus shift diff.

Both are hiring for med/surg, ICU, women's services etc. Now that pay is what I am talking about!!!! LOL

Did you see where Plano Presby laid off some nurses yesterday, On the news last night.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, RESEARCH, REHAB, HOME HEALTH, QUALITY.

you have been working for 2 years, that is great money for a person who has been working in the field for 2 years, I have 2 sons, that are not nurses and have been working and one has a degree in communciations and he still does not make $50,000 a year... I know he wished he did..

the beauty of it all, it will go up.. :yeah:

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