Is the pay really that bad??

Vito Andolini · Aug 10, 2008

I have been offered $65K as a starting salary, and I do not think that that is a bad starting rate. It also depends on the state that you are working in, and the cost of living. Nursing is one of the only professions that you can start off with a pretty decent salary with no experience.
In comparison to a lawyer, doctor, or a movie star, just remember that they had to struggle for a while before they all made that kind of money. As a nurse you are guaranteed a pretty decent pay right out of school.

They didn't struggle any more than we did. Anyway, they chose to enter their lines of work, just as we did. Until nurses stop believing what you said about others struggling more than we do, therefore deserving better pay, we will continue to be a kept-down group. Self-respect is the start.

ilstu99 · Aug 10, 2008

Not to hurt your feelings or start a fight but look - I make only a few thousand more than you but do not have a large family. So I get to be taxed so that you can have free medical care and lunches for your children. Where's the justice in that? I limited my procreation to what I could afford but I have to pay for your offspring. I know you are working hard but this stuff just makes me very angry and makes me realize what a fool I've been.

Sometimes I wish people weren't so quick to pass judgment. Well. Always, really.

I've had as many as 7 children in my home, yet I only gave birth to 2 of them. My best friend has 6 children, and none of them share her or her spouse's DNA. Yes, the increase in family composition in ratio to income means that a household might qualify for some kind of assistance. No, it doesn't always mean that someone is irresponsibly making babies. For me, my BF, and several of my friends who are foster parents....it means we're often managing someone else's irresponsibility.

I'm not saying that this is always the case, just that it might be prudent to inquire prior to assuming and slamming your gavel down.

pojned · Aug 10, 2008

When I decided to go to school ten years ago to be a nurse, I needed a job that paid well. I make a very good living as a nurse but the reason I stay a nurse is because I love this profession. Not many people have the opportunity to witness a birth, hold a hand in death, comfort the sick, and teach healthy living to anyone who will listen. Nursing is a calling for me - thankfully I get paid well for it.

kogara · Aug 10, 2008

I think that you miss understood me. Doctors go to school for 4 years of medical school and on average 3 to 5 years of residency and I work with quite a few right now who will say that their wives who work as nurses, are the bread winners. Lawyers also go to many years of school and most movie stars and actors struggled on nothing for years before making a decent living. Nurses go to school for either a 2 year or a 4 year program and than start making a very decent living. A doctor is a minimum of 7, sometimes 9 or even more and some of them still do not make enough money to be comfortable for many, many years after that.

I do NOT for one minute believe that nurses have no struggles. I like yourself and everyone included know what school can be like and how difficult it can be.

But, in comparison to other professions, no we do NOT endure unlimited amounts of years struggling.

sweetmagnolia1439 · Aug 11, 2008

NO, the money is not that bad!! I have 7 yrs experience in med/surg and supervision at a very small rural hospital. I make just over $25.00 per hour at my current job and LOVE IT!! I'm currently working in a Adult Day Health Center, which means I have to wear many, many 'hats' and deal with things most nurses do not. However, I enjoy the challenges and the stress is FAR less than hospital nursing...where the nurse to patient ratios are dangerously high. If you're a member of the ANA (and if you're not, I strongly encourage you to join)...they are currently promoting a campaign to have SAFE STAFFING. The ANA is not only advocates for patients, it's primary purpose is advocacy of NURSES. I could only afford an affiliate membership ($45) for now, but when able, I want to get a regular membership. (approx. $300). I'm not sure exactly what the difference is...as I DO get to vote on legislative topics to support both the safety of patients and nurses.

For example: The ANA currently is having a mock vote for President. They sent a list of important healthcare issue questions to both Obama and McCain. The deadline for 'voting' is Aug.31st. As of this am ...Aug 10th....Obama had replied and gave some convincing and encouraging words about his stand on healthcare in this country. McCain HAD NOT EVEN TAKEN TIME TO REPLY TO THE ANA!!!! Before today, I was leaning more toward voting for McCain, but now Obama is getting more of MY respect....as he has shown he respects NURSES! He did, after all, reply at length to the questionaire the ANA had sent him.

Just some food for thought on our futures as nurses and our future President! As to the topic for this thread, YES, the money is good enough that I just qualified to buy a $200.000 home on my own!!

I love my job and also love my new home. Thank you NURSING Career and the clients that I've fallen in love with at my current job!

PICNICRN, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2008

"I think that you miss understood me. Doctors go to school for 4 years of medical school and on average 3 to 5 years of residency and I work with quite a few right now who will say that their wives who work as nurses, are the bread winners. Lawyers also go to many years of school and most movie stars and actors struggled on nothing for years before making a decent living. Nurses go to school for either a 2 year or a 4 year program and than start making a very decent living. A doctor is a minimum of 7, sometimes 9 or even more and some of them still do not make enough money to be comfortable for many, many years after that.

I do NOT for one minute believe that nurses have no struggles. I like yourself and everyone included know what school can be like and how difficult it can be.

But, in comparison to other professions, no we do NOT endure unlimited amounts of years struggling."

Family Practice, Peds, and Internal Meds make 120K-125K STARTING- fresh out of residency....... they are the least paid MDs. Dermatologists 250K, ENT 300K.... again, fresh out of residency. It goes up from there.

anhttp://mdsalaries.blogspot.com/2008/07/2008-md-salary-survey-by-mh-pulmonology.htmld

That sure seems like "enough money to be comfortable" to me:twocents:. I also do not for one moment believe that doctors, lawyers, ect. "endure unlimited amounts of years struggling".

Now, I'm not saying that we do either, but common! I'm not saying RNs should make a salary comparable to a Dr's- they DO go through years more school and take on soooo much more liability (and God bless them for doing so!) But, until WE start realizing what we are worth, and our importance to the process ourselves....... no one else is going to! :nurse:

3rdcareerRN · Aug 12, 2008

Uncompensated overtime is not restricted to nursing management...as you probably know.

My previous two careers were both "professional" non-medical. As an "exempt" employee I was routinely expected to work 70-hour weeks. More than once I worked 36 hours straight, to meet a client need...for no extra pay, no overtime, no bonus, and no thanks. At least we kept the client, which kept the income flowing.

Now as a staff nurse I am "nonexempt" and actually get paid per hour worked. It is a refreshing change, although my career prestige has nosedived compared to previous careers. I made the career decision while A&Ox4, so can't blame anyone else...

TEXAS_BSN_RN · Aug 12, 2008

4 yrs for $46,000/yr thats not too bad. I paid my truck off and I have real nice apt. I can typically eat whatever I want. Steak shrimp whatever. I only work 3 days a week.

myty23 · Aug 12, 2008

Not to hurt your feelings or start a fight but look - I make only a few thousand more than you but do not have a large family. So I get to be taxed so that you can have free medical care and lunches for your children. Where's the justice in that? I limited my procreation to what I could afford but I have to pay for your offspring. I know you are working hard but this stuff just makes me very angry and makes me realize what a fool I've been.

She's paying just as much into taxes as you are, so in a sense she's paying for herself to have those "free lunches and health care". Your taxes go to much more than just paying for her children to have lunch and health care. Get off your high horse. Don't blame her for having a large family. Blame the government for their faulty spending practices. Much more of our tax dollars are wasted with their frivolous spending habits than to free lunches and health care.

:icon_roll

Not only that, she said her children "could easily qualify" for medicaid and free lunches, not that she's actually taking advantage of it, so it sounds like you're high and mighty tax dollars aren't supporting her after all.

sweetmagnolia1439 · Aug 20, 2008

It is the 'system" that is at fault...not you!!! It sounds to me like you are working and trying to make ends meet without Medicaid, and other public assistance. So, my advice would be to simply 'keep on, keeping on' and the 'system' will finally provide you the services you both NEED and DESERVE!!

All my best to you and all those truly needy people in OUR country....just think of all the people who are not 'truly needy' in out country who, somehow, manage to manipulate the system into providing them with services.............and and many others who are truly in need of services get left behind in the process due to various reasons.

I just try to help those in need, to the best of MY ability ....and I think that is the most any of us can do right now!

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2008

I suppose young and single...no responsibilities...50K sounds good!

Live in the northeast...housing in NJ starts 250k in bad areas to own a home...then there's the matter of the highest taxes in the nation....what do our taxes go to in the federal government?....to all of the states who houses are 25k!

Now while I can understand where some of you are coming from....you really need to open up your eyes. We are responsible for ALOT as nurses, up to including being the last line of defense against all errors, EVEN PHYSICIAN ERRORS!

In addition, not only are we exhibiting higher thinking, higher stress and higher usage of our bodies...we can be injured with a career ending herniated disc or whatever....where you gonna work then?

For you singles...never going to marry....never going to provide for your familys wants and needs.....what about family vacation....sick kids....college?

It's so easy to know it all when you haven't done it all. It's amazing that the sayng "hindsight is 20/20" is soooooo true! You think you know it all, every year, every decade, every experience....however, you only realize how much you didn't know until YOU KNOW IT ALL!

JMHO as always,

Maisy

PS When nurses undervalue their worth, put up with dangerous situations, and are unbendable.....WE ALL LOSE!

PICNICRN, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2008

"When nurses undervalue their worth, put up with dangerous situations, and are unbendable.....WE ALL LOSE!"

Amen Sister!! :yeah: