How did you feel when you got your first nursing paycheck?

Published

nurse-first-paycheck.thumb.jpg.0120164f58408a55a5c28f8c6c98f91b.jpg

All that time in nursing school had to pay off sooner or later. I'm sure many felt elated, many were ecstatic, and many just wanted to blow it all away. Do you remember your first paycheck? How did you feel? Did you celebrate? Please share your stories...

Click Like if you enjoyed it. Please share this with friends and post your comments below!

Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
RunBabyRN said:
So, a little comedy for everyone...

My first paycheck as a registered nurse was for $8.46. Through the agency, we are paid minimum wage for anything that happens in the office, and that was for my hour of paperwork. I laughed and took a picture of it. My husband wants to frame it.

Correction: $8.22

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

oh hell no!:dead:

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Honestly, when I first get my salary for the first time, I feel really excited. Not all of us are lucky in terms of financial stability. Due to financial crisis, most people live in what we so-called paycheck to paycheck where people who are in need of money avails instant payday cash advance. It is truly important to be ready with extra cash, but a lot of people cannot pay for to save money when living paycheck to paycheck.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical Surgical, Dialysis and ER.

Let me just say my first paycheck I blew it on who knows what. I remember my Nurse Manager calling me in her office and telling me I was missing 12 hours from getting a 80 hour paycheck and did I want to use benefit time because I transferred from Patient Access as an admission clerk to being an RN. I remember telling her lady I have not gotten close to 80 hours in a long time don't worry about it I will be fine and that first check was like $1500 missing the 12 hours. My first year of nursing my husband and I traveled every other month because I get 6 days off once a month. We really lived it up. LOL

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult ICU/PICU/NICU.

My first paycheck was so long ago it was probably a live chicken.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care/emergency departement.

I was very excited, after 3 yrs of study and sacrifices finally i saw the reward!! I've spent it buying books, ipod, computer and other technology things :) :)

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just got mine yesterday!! Felt pretty damn awesome!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I bought a brand new motorcycle and shoes... $300 nursing clogs that I had been staring at my whole time in nursing school (while wearing hideous pure white nursing shoes). Oh, and the hot pink scrubs that I brought...to replace the pile of white scrubs that I "accidentally" threw in a bonfire.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I blew my first few checks. I had been so broke for so long and finally had money. Now I'm wondering hmm better start saving because I have no idea where that money went.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

My nursing paycheck is a joke!!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health.

I bought a round of drinks for my coworkers and paid some long overdue bills.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

I don't remember my first paycheck, I mean, after all, that was in 1971! But my very first job out of nursing school was at Mass General Hospital and that felt prestigious as all-get-out! It really made me feel so proud!

I do remember several years later when I got a raise, though; WOW! I was earning $3.10/hr. :rolleyes: TRUE!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion