How much did you start as a nurse and when.

streetsmart · Jun 4, 2006

I started at $5.10/hr as RN in 1975. When I left hospital nursing in 2000, I was making $22.

Midwest4me · Jun 4, 2006

Received $7.00/hr as a graduate practical nurse in 1985. Once I got my license it was raised to $7.25/hr. I now earn around $17/hr but when you consider the fully paid benefits(no premiums nor co-pays to pay), it's much more than that!:)

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jun 4, 2006

As a new grad in 1997, I turned down a $19/hr. job in a large hospital for $14/hr. in a nursing home where I'd done my LTC preceptorship. I didn't like the politics of that hospital, and the NH had been good to me when I was a student. They treated me like garbage as a nurse, however, and I lasted all of three months.

not now, RN · Jun 4, 2006

I graduated last May and started Spetember 2005 at $19.13 an hour as an LVN in long term care (I was a CNA in the same facility for $8.72 an hour). Loved the staff, loved my hours, loved the encouragement to continue on with school. Alas, 50-something residents to myself every.single.night. took it's toll on me. I left in March.

Now I work for a hospital in sub-acute. We are an off campus building all alone. This is one of the few places this hospital has LVN's working and the only department that still hires LVN's. Needless to say my pay has dropped. $16.12 an hour, full benefits and a much less stressful.

Rnandsoccermom · Jun 4, 2006

In 1985, $9.38/hr, Chicago suburb. Now different suburb, $38.49/hr.

blue49 · Jun 4, 2006

In 1976 in rural southeastern Indiana ina small county hospital I started at $4.96/hour and in the *city* Cincinnati I was offered a job at $5.13 an hour. After almost 30 years I am only making $26.81......

seems like from 1975 to 1985 there wasn't much increse in nursing salaries was there?.................sad

Selke · Jun 4, 2006

As a new BSN grad in Chicago in 1989, $12.56/hr day shift.

onarie · Jun 4, 2006

Graduated August 2005 - Licensure October - pay became $18.54/hr + shift diffs. I had worked at this hospital as an extern while in school receiving $12/hr + shift diff. When my anniversary as an extern came in November - they increased my RN pay to $18.91/hr + shift diffs ($4/evenings; $5/nights).

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 4, 2006

$11.83 as a GN in 1993 in NW Florida. I was thrilled as that was almost 3X/hr what I was making in fast food while a student.

My husband who graduated with an RN about 4 yrs ago with the same degree level I have makes 2% less an hour than I do, same hospital system, same pay grades, same position, same specialty, only I have 9 yrs more experience than he does. Go figure.

Having said all that, I am satisfied with the rate I make, just seems wrong that experience counts for so little.

dorimar, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2006

In 1985, $9.38/hr, Chicago suburb. Now different suburb, $38.49/hr.

me too soccermom. I graduated and got my RN in 1985 and worked for 10.50 /hr in East Chicago IN. now i make 34.oo/hr (very well deserved) in a different suberb, but was wondering what my old area paid now days.

RoxanRN · Jun 4, 2006

Graduated in 12/03 and went from $10.50/hr as a nurse tech to $15.50/hr as an RN. I can remember ~$5/hr as a nurses aid in 1987. In my current position, it's about $22.15/hr including shift diff and almost $27/hr on weekends.

kaycee · Jun 4, 2006

$6.00/hr as a new RN in 1975. Now making $32.00/hr as a charge nurse.

My salary increased very slowly over the years and was stagnant for quite a while in the late 80's and 90's. Jumped quite a bit in the last 6yrs, but is still considered on the lower end, for my experience level and what I do.