How much do Nurses really make?

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Now, I'm not into nursing just for the salary. I'm in this for the long haul, and I want to do this for my career but I've heard from several sources about how much money nurses make. Some say they don't make a lot, some say that they do. I'm not expecting to make half what surgeons make in a year, but honestly, how much does an RN make? I wonder how many people perceptions of 'a lot of money' plays into the answers, and I just want the facts...

If possible, could ya'll list specific fields of nurses salaries, too? Thanx!

Specializes in Homecare-Pediatrics.

RN's only start at $25/hr, what an insult, LPN's start at $29/hr in Connecticut

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I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything as an insult, I was merely repeating what my friend told me. Maybe she didn't want me to know how much she actually made. I don't live there, so thank you for correcting me!

Be well,

~K

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Specializes in MS.

Well I believe that a nurse anesthetist makes a lot of money you need more schooling with critical care experience but they make close to 100k if not more a year.

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Thanks for all of the information folks, whether I gave kudos 2 you posts or not, I did take my time reading all of em....

I don't expect to get rich, but with the loans i'm going to have to pay back by the time I'm done with nursing school, I do hope to do more than break even!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.

:idea:

GtownhoyasDC said:
Now, I'm not into nursing just for the salary. I'm in this for the long haul, and I want to do this for my career. But I've heard from several sources about how much money nurses make. Some say they don't make a lot, some say that they do. I'm not expecting to make half what surgeons make in a year, but honestly, how much does an RN make? I wonder how many people perceptions of 'a lot of money' plays into the answers, and I just want the facts...

If possible, could ya'll list specific fields of nurses salaries, too? Thanx!

It deepens on what state you are in. In Northern California ( the bay area, etc Oakland, Dublin),etc. But when I lived in Baltimore and I worked at John Hopkins Hospital I made close to $100,000.00 a year. This is on a med-surg floor. If you are ICU you could make more. The southern pay is horrible, along with lots of patients per nurse. Now most hospital are requiring BSN which I have from the beginning. John Hopkins initially required BSN nurses but when the nurse shortage hit I guess sometime in the 90's they would take 2yr Rn's. They still don't let LPN's do floor nursing, they can work in the clinic. Blessing to you!!!:idea:

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.
GtownhoyasDC said:
Well, do you you know the average pay for nurses in Metro Atlanta, or possibly Ga. in general?

I have a friend who lives in Atlanta and just started a job for $32.00 plus shift diff. She has been a nuse for over 20 yrs. So that's not too bad for nowl.

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$24.50 to start at my place. I was happy to get it! Texas has no income tax, too. So not bad. I think my place pays a little better, but I think it's around $20-$25 at other hospitals in town.

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I started out @ $5 / hr in 1974 - In central Oregon I now make $39 / at my day job and I take night Recovery call in a postion that I am guaranteed 20 hr / wk at $46/ hr - last year, my gross was $115,000 - no where near a Dr.'s income. But compared to minimum wage a very good wage. I disagree with the nurse that said you should not apologized for caring about the wages. I work with a few nurse that went into nursing just because of the good wages and in the long run they are not very good nurses. A committed nurse works for the caring and giving to others and the wages are a bonus. So I commend you for feeling committment to nursing as a career and something that helps others and provides you with great satisfaction.

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Not sure if you are interested...but R.N.'s in Ontario Canada usually make anywhere from $28 to $ 44 an hour. We have a province wide union that most hospitals and nursing homes use...you don't get paid by your specialty, but by how many hours you have worked.

RPN's (the equivalent to LPN's) get paid anywhere from about $18/h to $30/h and are doing a lot of skills that were previously reserved for R.N.'s only. RPN's do not have their own union and are often a part of an other union.

Cool blog!

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Specializes in med/surg, OR, private duty, HH.

It also makes a difference were you nurse. Acute care hospital nurses make more and if you work nights and weekends that also increases your take home pay.

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Specializes in Homecare-Pediatrics.

i meant that is an insult to the RN for only making as little as that, when LPN's make 29/hr and RN's make 40/hr here in CT.

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Specializes in MED SURGE.

A nurse-RN (cousin) told me she made $161k in 2009, working in a Nursing Home & Visiting Nurse Service (NYC area). Not bad for a 2yr degree. Those with Masters degree in Biz r making $10/hr. Go figure! You know Im in an LPN program now. :)

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