How much did you make as a new grad?

endlesssummer1 · Sep 9, 2005

$5:25 in 1978. The starting nurses make about $18 something now.

suzanne4, RN · Sep 9, 2005

I received $8.49 per hour when I started as an RN. And you could have made $11 at a checkout stand in a supermarket. And would I ever have done otherwise? Never.

You go in to nursing because it is something that you want to do, not because of what the salary will give you. If so, you probably will not last long. Unfortunately, that is what happens.

nursemomruns · Sep 9, 2005

How much did you make as a new grad? what is the starting salary where you are now (which state)? With the working conditions and pay, is it worth it to be in the profession of nursing?

I started at $8.75 per hour 23 years ago. Suzanne is right - cashier's at the grocery store made more than me at the time. Is it worth it? Each nurse must answer that question for him/herself. It was worth it to me.

yvette76 · Sep 9, 2005

...about $25-$29.

missboo622 · Sep 9, 2005

I started out making $19.75 and in one year, I now make $20.98 base pay. Some hospitals around pay only $17.30 an hour. I am located in Atlanta, GA.

I didn't start out wanting to be a nurse. I just got a job at the hospital as a switchboard operator and registration clerk and I realized that Nursing was what I wanted to do! I wouldn't change it for the world! You have the opportunity to make good money, and help your community. There's not a reason to get burned out. Too many hospitals and opportunities are out there to let your education go to waste!

bluesky, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2005

Washington D.C; Started @ 24.00/ base. Now, one year later I work weekend alternative and make about $35.00/ hr. Not bad, eh?

KimBear182 · Sep 10, 2005

In South Florida on a tele floor I started out base $21.40 and then i work nights too...

live4today, RN · Sep 10, 2005

As a new grad in 1987, I started out working the eight hour nighshift at $11.01/hour! :rolleyes: Yep! and it is true...grocery store cashier's were making more than I, even janitors who worked for Generous Motors :uhoh3: made more than I. The very next year (1988), I started doing agency and travel nursing for $18.00/hour. It wasn't until 1997, that I was making in the mid-twenties/hour. I've made up to $40/hour as a contract nurse, but that was very short lived. :rolleyes:

Now, in this rural area where I live, a nurse WITH experience starts out at $20/hour! That sucks, but it beats minimum wage.........just gotta sweat and work TOO hard for such little pay. :stone

kat911 · Sep 10, 2005

1978 in Houston I started out at $9.00 hr. Now in Texas about 19-20 per hour for new grads. Still way to much wage compression. :uhoh3:

P_RN, ADN, RN · Sep 10, 2005

$4.03 1974

24.21 retirement in 1999

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2005

$12.50/hr 11 yrs ago. I actually took a pay cut going from LPN-RN. I was making $15/hr as an LPN. Sad, huh? I think that new grads around here now start out at $18-18.50 Im in central AL.