How much did you earn your first year?

Ash1223 · Feb 7, 2009

I just graduated at the end of summer and yesterday I got offered a job in an ICU in the Bay Area of California. They are starting me off at $42.75 for days and a night differential of six dollars more. But I have a friend working in San Francisco who is also a new grad and she is making $53/hr on a night shift in Postpartum. Now THAT'S good money!

LittleWing21, RN · Mar 12, 2009

Starting pay at my hospital for new grads is $20. Doesn't matter your degree, prior employment, etc., we all got the same. Of course there's shift diffs and all that jazz. I do six 12 hr night shifts in two weeks and my check is typically between $1000-$1400 depending on holidays and stuff. Thats after deductions for insurance, 401k, gym membership, and taxes. I'm in NC, and cost of living is mad cheap here. I think pay rates are somewhat similar in FL from what I've heard.

HeartSmartRN · Mar 14, 2009

My hospital starts at $21.50 base pay with a $4 shift diff for nights. There is a raise after 90 days.

picurn10 · Mar 15, 2009

you can google "nursing salary in ___" (add your state) and it will pull up the info for you. One site (I can't think of which one) actually breaks it down to what your pay check will look like minus taxes and benefits! Pretty cool. When I'm frustrated by my life circumstances (single mom, totally broke) I google it just to remind myself that someday very soon, I'll have a paycheck like that coming in!

machita · Mar 15, 2009

I responded to this post a couple of months ago when I didn't have a job. I have one now! yay! I'm working at a surgery center in the Bronx, NY and I'm making $33/hr. I don't have health insurance for 3 months so not as much is getting taken out of my check just yet, so I'll be enjoying these nicer looking checks until then.

NeoNurseTX, RN · Mar 15, 2009

I just got a job in Orange County (CA) and I'm going to be getting paid 27.95 with a $4 shift diff for nights in an ER.
Since I have my BSN its 5% more than what an ADN would make at this hospital. If I go on and get my MSN or any crts like CEN or CCRN I get another 5%.
Also, since its a Versant program I read that we are generally paid less. I have no idea for what reason though.
I think its less than what most hospitals pay their new grads around here but its tough finding a job these days and so I took what I could get!

I always thought CA paid sooo much more.. the person from LA makes about what I make in Houston.

paytron · Mar 22, 2009

Depending on where you are and if your position requires 'on-call' status, your pay can vary. In Texas,(where I am), new grad base rates vary from $23-27/hr plus shift diffs and specialty diffs. My starting base was $24.93/hr but my position requires 'on-call' status 3-4 a month so I get time and half for those times I am called in. My 1st year salary was $52k

kmarie724 · Mar 23, 2009

I haven't started my job quite yet, but I will be making $22/hr with $1 shift differencial for eves, $2 for nocs. I will be mostly working eves, so I will be making $23/hr. I am in the Mpls area working in LTC.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Mar 24, 2009

well lets see, 1972, City of Memphis Hospitals CCU, heehee something like $10,500.00/yr.

I know there is a smart A#%T()@)$* in every crowd >smiles

rockenmomRN · Mar 24, 2009

well lets see, 1972, City of Memphis Hospitals CCU, heehee something like $10,500.00/yr.
I know there is a smart A#%T()@)$* in every crowd >smiles
and in 30 years from now we'll be saying and or talking about how little we are getting paid today...

theatredork · Mar 26, 2009

Without overtime, working night shift in NYC, I made $75K my first year out of school.

rockenmomRN · Mar 26, 2009

thats some good pay, what is it like here in cali, 62k sounds good,but rent is 2400