How much did you start as a nurse and when.

[ZASHAGALKA]

Just a curiosity thread:

What was your first nursing salary and when did you command what I'm sure is going to be such high salaries? LOL.

Me: 13.18/hr as an RN in San Antonio in 1993.

Ironically, I left my LPN job outside of Baltimore MD to take that job, and I was making 14.50/hr as an LPN in LTC in MD at that time.

(My first healthcare job, as a CNA in 1991: 6.20/hr.)

~faith,

Timothy.

[SoulShine75]

$6.59/hr as a RN new grad in 1985 (nursing home). Got a raise up to $7.10/hr after I received my license (you could work on a temp permit back then until your results came back a few months later).

With shift diff, I make over $40/hr today.

$6.59!!?? That's highway robbery.

[SaderNurse05, BSN, RN]

Stupid question: How do salary caps work? where can I find more information on them? How do COLA increases work?

No such thing as a stupid question, especially when it comes to your money A cap is simply the top end of a range that an employer has set. In my experience every 5 years or so a new consultant comes in and they get adjusted. I am sure that where you work there is a cap based on your position and experience, but some places do not want to tell you their number. I get better luck asking about a range rather than a cap. A cost of living adjustment is a number that an employer has calculated based on the economy to keep your earning power the same year to year so you do not lose buying power to inflation. It is usually given without regard to experience or position and is simply a percentage of your current earnings. Now also be aware that as much as HR people will hem and haw over how they simply can't pay you a certain amount there usually is some wiggle room. If you know for a fact that you are worth a certain amount in a certain market then you can try and negotiate. The more you know about all of this the better deal you can get for yourself. Good luck!

[SmilingBluEyes]

Easy to recall. It was 12.00 an hour as a new RN in Oklahoma, 9 years ago.

[wincha]

Over 20 years ago I started at $9.89 an hour in MO.

[dorieabsLPN]

1994 LPN 10.50 hr

2006 LPN 23.50 hr

[outcomesfirst, BSN, RN]

Always an interesting read. Nursing salaries are flattening out again. See Nursing 2006 Salary Survey. Started out in the 80's, in CA at $11.13. Many years experience, certification and education years later maxed out at 64,400 in admin. Left acute care for research 2 years ago. Not counting my bonus due any day, I will declare $124,677. for uncle sam this year. Did I mention I work M-F 9-5. I have a beautiful, clean office. All the resources and supplies I need to make a difference in healthcare, today and tomorrow. If I am held up or late or sick (rare now), no worries - life happens. I eat lunch when I want, go to the bathroom when I want and work out for free with a personal trainer in the company gym everyday. No holidays worked - actually this week off (paid, not vac time)for christmas. 27 days vacation. Don't get me started on the other benes. Do I miss hospitals and taking care of people - more than I can say.

[MajorAl]

$4.44 per hour in 1975, that equates to $16.64 in today's dollars. My brother in law was making (starting salary) $5.55 at the same time. His job? Working as a mechanic at a newspaper. The best part is I only have 160 working days left and then I'm retired. Take care and Happy New Year. Alan

[Marylou1102]

$3.25 in 1970 :smackingf

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

as a LPN in 1979, 5.00 an hour, right before I retired,2006, 15.75 an hour

[Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN]

1986 started at $9.28 /hr. Now well over $52.00/ hr

[BJLynn]

In 1994 I made $4.50 as a CNA. I make $15.00 as a LPN currently. I live in West Central Illinois.

[SWRN84]

23 years ago I started as an RN at $7.77/hr in a small rural ICU in Missouri.