How well is your living status?

bargainhound, RN · May 17, 2007

What state you live in, what city you live in, price of utilities, etc.......

determines how far your salary will go.

jmgrn65, RN · May 17, 2007

I think that you can 20 people making the same money and they will all have different thoughts about whether it is enough money to be comfortable. I don't this has an answer except it pays more than flipping burgers and less than doctors.

CHATSDALE · May 17, 2007

have realistic goals

how many children do you have, will they need babysitters, can you arrange your children around your working hours

how much are your loans, do you get childsupport

here are many variables but i know a lot of nurses who raised their children and bought homes and put a little aside for the future

you are on the right track

Altra, BSN, RN · May 17, 2007

I suspect (hopefully) that you've already given this some thought when you chose to pursue a nursing education. Right?

ZootRN · May 17, 2007

I live pretty comfortably in a big house and save a lot. But it's only because of my husband's income; I would not be able to afford that kind of lifestyle, being single mom and having to live on my nursing salary. So it all depends on your personal situation.

RNperdiem, RN · May 17, 2007

Look on hospital employment websites. Look at how the majority of jobs in the hospital pay. Look at the wage ranges for housekeeping, dietary, HUC's PT assistants,etc. Now look at how much nurses earn. See, pretty good. Look up how much your medical and surgical interns earn- a modest set amount for the hours they work. Yes, you earn more than they do too.

For the nurses who really love the money, plenty of overtime is often available. Other nurses have a second per diem job at another hospital for the higher per diem rate.

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 17, 2007

I agree there are too many variables but you might be disappointed. I notice my single mom coworkers fair much better if they get child support. If you manage your money well, you should afford a nice middle class lifestyle.

Real estate prices have skyrocketed around here. So the answer to your question would probably be no. Nurses are struggling to buy homes these days here. I've seen many of my coworkers move out of town and commute for affordable homes.

As was mentioned overtime is available.

I'm a single homeowner and I put away 10% of my salary, pay all my bills, insurance and property taxes on my nurses salary and it's a struggle when you add in a car payment (however currently my car is paid for), car repairs, vet bills for the dogs, car insurance, repairs around the house, etc. It always seems I'm taking two steps back financially. But I definately don't live paycheck to paycheck either.

purplemania, BSN, RN · May 17, 2007

I live very comfortably and have a single salary. But I live in a part of the country where real estate is fairly cheap, compared to other regions! My 2300 Sq ft home was $85,000 10 years ago. It takes me less than 10 minutes to drive to work. I buy a new car every few years, but they are all small sedans. Not living a fancy lifestyle I guess but I am content. I go to Europe every year because it cheaper to vacation there than in the states. My kids are grown, but grandkids aren't all that cheap! The average RN salary here is about $25/hr (varies widely depending on where the RN works and the length of experience).

Jo Dirt · May 18, 2007

I have a disabled husband and three (soon to be four) children. We own our home (a dumpy old brick house but it is at least out in the country) and land but because there are so many of us we are considered poverty level on my income. We aren't able to spoil ourselves but the older I get the less it matters for me to have "things."

Picture that movie "Vacation" with Chevy Chase when they stopped at Cousin Eddie's and there were a bunch of grubby kids running around and they were eating Hamburger Helper without the hamburger and the wife (who was about 8 months pregnant) was elated that Eddie said she could quit one of her night jobs after the baby was born...

I've never lived in a nice house my entire life so at my age why start worrying about it now? If you find yourself in a big house driving a new SUV and having the extras it will either be because you have a spouse who can afford it or because you are up to your eyebrows in debt. A nurse's salary won't make you wealthy. I'd say, if you are single the story might be different (but why would you need or want a great big house when you're the only one living in it?)

NoeIssa · May 18, 2007

I have a disabled husband and three (soon to be four) children. We own our home (a dumpy old brick house but it is at least out in the country) and land but because there are so many of us we are considered poverty level on my income. We aren't able to spoil ourselves but the older I get the less it matters for me to have "things."
Picture that movie "Vacation" with Chevy Chase when they stopped at Cousin Eddie's and there were a bunch of grubby kids running around and they were eating Hamburger Helper without the hamburger and the wife (who was about 8 months pregnant) was elated that Eddie said she could quit one of her night jobs after the baby was born...
I've never lived in a nice house my entire life so at my age why start worrying about it now? If you find yourself in a big house driving a new SUV and having the extras it will either be because you have a spouse who can afford it or because you are up to your eyebrows in debt. A nurse's salary won't make you wealthy. I'd say, if you are single the story might be different (but why would you need or want a great big house when you're the only one living in it?)

That is hilarious! I know what you mean as long as the bills are paid and your happy that is all that matters. My family is all about who has the nicest house and who drives the nicest car its ridiculous.

ERRNTraveler, RN · May 18, 2007

I am a traveler, so my husband, dog & I live in company housing- usually a 1-bedroom apartment in a gated community- most are very nice & have pools, spas, workout rooms... My husband does not work- he is working on his master's on-line. We do not own a home in our "home state." We own 2 cars- one travels with us, one is in storage, along with a lot of our furniture & other belongings. We are traveling to pay off debt we accumulated during the first years of our marriage while we were both in school. We live very comfortably on just my income- plus make extra to put down on debt each month.