How much did you make as a new grad?

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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?

Specializes in Med-Surg, OB/GYN, L/D, NBN.

Mississippi-- 18.00/base pay, 1.50 3-11 diff, 3.00 11-7 diff, 27.00 OVT with an extra 4.00/hr RN bonus. Not too bad, considering that with the way our pay periods fall we ALWAYS have at least 8 hours OVT on our check if we work all our hours. :smokin:

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

I earned $17K a year when I started. For a similar position- med surg in a busy metropolitan hospital- I think nurses here(San Diego County) make over $60K. One quote I heard was $70K, but I don't know how much OT that involved, and I don't even know for sure that's an accurate figure. Let's just say they make a lot more than I did, but I haven't worked in hospital nursing since I quit to go on maternity leave almost 14 years ago. I earned $44K that year. I have no intention of ever working in a hospital again.

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Specializes in LDRP.

17.05 base, 3.00 more nights, 4.00 more for the weekend (not just nights, but all weekend).

new rn w/ no health care exp

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
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:

I wish I weren't so allergic to TX, I'd return for a job since TX's new grads are making what experienced nurses in Southern IL are making. (I'm talking over 12 years experience as registered nurses) :rolleyes:

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I am (and always have been) very happy to receive the pay I got. I guess I am one of those not "in it" for the "big money".

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True.. you must be intrinsically motivated to make it in this field.

Kudos ya'll. There's a special place in heaven for ya'll.

Hoping to be RN, BSN in 07.

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16.50 on nights for new grad LVN, now with one year experience i'm around 21-22/hr on nights. I have a PRN in house agency job that's 25/hr week 27/hr weekend. here in houston, RN's start around 21-22/hr. LVN's 13-20/hr for new grads.

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

actually, i think $35 is pitiful pay. considering physicians make anywhere from $175 to $500 an hour and garbage men make about $35 an hour.... ya, i would say the pay still sucks.

when i was in school in 1985 i had NO idea how much nurses made. i just wanted to do it. i know i am worth waaay more than the $44 an hour i now make. gees, my brother makes about $90 an hour as an accountant.

numbers....on paper!!!!

and we deal with numbers.... as with drug calculations etc on PEOPLE.

never accept your wages as 'not bad', bc trust me, the hospitals will not view you as worth more if you don't even think so!

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, Home Health, Oncology.

Hi

I haven't read this whole thread, but thought I'd add my thoughts.

When I started Nursing in the mid-60's, as a new Grad. I made $400.00/month before taxes!! It was a small amout but I was able to make it real well with that economy. A couple of months later we had a HUGE increase & made $600/month.

That seemed so GRAND at the time.

Now, as a VERY SEASONED RN on a med/surg/Onc floor, it's over $31.00/ hour.

But it seemed so long to get there.

All of these salaries have been in Chicago.

As a new grad, I worked for the State of Illinois in Chicago & now in a large Chicago Teaching & Trauma Center.

Mary Ann

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NOT ENOUGH !!! But that does not mean that you are in it for the money, I just want to be compensated for what I do. Generally the specialties and post graduate certifications make something more, BUT not where I am! No additional certifications count (such as ONS, CCRN etc) for more pay. However, generally different areas of the hosp pay a little more such as surgery, icu, and trauma/er. I didn't go into it for the money, but 'comfortable' living and the job security/rewards of helping.

ON THE OTHER HAND, water getter, comforter, making you comfortable, talking to your family when you can't , talking to the doctor, giving meds that can help you but also potentially kill you, and making a mistake that can cost you your whole livelihood and the time and money of your education plus being recorded on your record, etc etc etc. You have to LOVE this job to be effective or it will destroy you. It is way too hard physically, mentally, emotionally. You are sometimes spending more time (16 hours a day) caring for others that your life and family suffer. You definitely need to be compensated for that.

The MULTITASKER title deserves to be paid accordingly.

I was shocked to find out how little I was being paid after the rigors of nursing school that after all the sweat and tears, THAT WAS IT when I could have been in school for something else and made more.

PS but for some people TOO MUCH. If you just sit around and do the minimal you will still get paid the same, but you decide what kind of nurse you want to be. You will see all kinds.

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When I started as a new grad 2 years ago, my starting pay was around $17.50, I think. Two years later the new grads are making about $19.25, I think, to start, and I'm making $23+.

But, I'm looking to leave and go elsewhere, and elsewhere may include a family practice office, and I know my salary is going to take a dive but money does not equal happiness!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.

$12.34/hr in El Paso, TX in 1991.

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