Iowa - RN Pay

U.S.A. Iowa

Published

Raised in Iowa for 8 years, moved out to Jersey to live with my wife. Had 2 kids born here before and after a deployment of mine. Gettin sick of expensive city life and want to go back to the midwest and I'd like to get a ballpark of what my wife would be making out there.

She's got 12 years exp, a year of that in management. All of that in ureology and nephrology. She only has her Nurse Diploma, but has goals to get her BSN sometime in the future.

Would be in the Des Moines area...so if anyone currently working at any of those hospitals, if you could give me some numbers that would be great.

Thanks.

Specializes in LTC, Med-Surge.

i am also an r.n in LTC for 11 yrs of experience i make 19.86/hr i am 1 hour east of desmoines. i have looked at area hospitals and their starting wage for and rn is more then i am making now........makes me kinda sad:cry: and i work for one of the top nursing home in the area we have a great reputaion and great survey results

Specializes in military acute care.

I started out as a new LPN in Eastern IA at 19.15/hr. Looking to go back for my BSN just because I LOVE the learning process.

I started out as a new LPN in Eastern IA at 19.15/hr. Looking to go back for my BSN just because I LOVE the learning process.

If you love it...go for it. I dont think you can go wrong to get your RN.

Specializes in ICU, School Nurse, Med/Surg, Psych.

Here is an example: I have 15 years RN experience, work full time community mental health and earned 37K last year. My son in law who manages a Dickey's BBQ earned over 40K.

Specializes in LTC, PCU, Med/Surg, Hospice, OBGYN.

Most hospitals don't really hire LPNs anymore so you're looking more at long-term care facilities. I work at one in small town Iowa and they start at $12.60/hr with no experience. Then you get a $1 more/hr for 2nd or 3rd shift. So it's a lot less salary but your cost of living is also way less.

Specializes in ICU, School Nurse, Med/Surg, Psych.

did you read RN magazine's survey of saleries nationally? I don't make anywhere close to the national average. I am going to think seriously about moving.

Specializes in LTC, PCU, Med/Surg, Hospice, OBGYN.
I am a recent new grad..as of Nov. last year. I accepted a job at the U of I. They pay salary, then you get shift diff on top $3. for evenings, and $3.50 for nights, when you work a weekend you get $2. an hour, and if you work an extra shift you get $10. an hour. all on top of your base salary. My base salary is $47980. which equals out to $27.76 an hour, as a NEW RN. I'm sure your wife would make much more than that. Plus you get awesome benefits, like IPERS, which is state retirement. hope this helps!

Just curious to know how is working for U of I now with the budget cuts and recent lay offs. I have friends who work there (grads from 2008) and they hate it because of these cuts. The hospital is not replacing nurses who have left and they're getting overloaded with patients. They are so desperate to leave their jobs but won't because they know with the economy the way it is, they won't be able to find another one right now. I also hear the starting pay is no longer the same as you had quoted before. Pay is lower and they don't even have any jobs for new grads right now and according to the nurse recruiter, there won't have any for a while. It's amazing what a year can do!

Healthcare costs in Iowa are lower than the national average. Plus the cost of living here...is why you nurses are getting paid a lot less.

Where else is bread 99c and houses 1K/month

my wife and i (both lpn right now) are considering relocating to des moines within the near future. we just received out lvn license (or lpn) in texas, but intend to pursue rn asap, so our questions:

1. what is the job market for rn/lpn like? is it hard to find a job with a new rn license?

2. what opportunities are there for lpn to continue to rn (like an lpn-rn bridge program)?

3. are there waiting lists for entrance to these programs?

4. what is the typical starting salary for rns in des moines?

Specializes in Skilled Nursing/Rehab.

What kind of nursing jobs allow you to work for the state of Iowa? I live in Dubuque, but would be willing to work within a 45 minute driving radius...

Specializes in Skilled Nursing/Rehab.

Also - does anyone know current starting wages for LPN's and RN's in Dubuque?

+ Add a Comment