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Discussion

How Much was your First RN Paycheck?

I'm just wondering. I'm not trying to get in nursing for the money, but I have heard a lot of other nurses complain about how low their income was as a new nurse.

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    • Featured Replies

    • Experts

    In 1990, I went from making an LPN's wage of $8.99/hour to an RN's wage of $12.35/hour.

    I remember my take home pay as an LPN in 1986 was about $375 for two weeks. I recall the numbers because, back then, a vasectomy cost $350. I had no other outstanding bills, so I got a vasectomy and $25 free & clear!

    It was my sign from God.

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    • Experts

    I made $7.24/hr in the Midwest in 1983. I thought I was rolling in dough.

    ?

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    Graduated 1974 - first job central New Jersey was $5.27/hr.

    Ain't doing the arithmetic ...

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    Started at $27 and some change/hr in 2018.

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    Are you looking for numbers from new grads to get an idea of what your pay might be as a new nurse? Someone's pay from a different region years ago doesn't give you an idea of what you might make. Pay could vary a lot in different regions of the country, and benefits packages can be just as important as hourly pay.

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    • Guides

    After nine years as an LVN at my hospital I was paid 10.41 an hour, whch was the top of the LVN range. In 1986 when I passed my RN boards I started at the bottom of the RN at 10.55 an hour. Six months later I got a raise.

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    in 1998 in central Indiana, 15.74, and that wasn't too shabby

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    1979, $5/hour. I made $400 per paycheck, every two weeks.

    I was RICH!

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    In 1997, I was making $17/hour.

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    I just started this year and I get $33 an hour (in a clinic so there are no night differentials or anything). My first career was as a teacher, and I taught in private schools (which pay less than public schools) and in states that paid low generally. So now I feel like a king!

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    I made 526 yearly in 1978 As an I am looking at getting social security at 62. That how I know. Sad huh

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