Low starting pay for new RN?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey guys/gals,

I'm not meaning for this to sound like complaining, I'm sort of just wondering if it's a low hourly wage to start at. I just got hired last week and found out the starting wages are 19.60/hr. When I figure that rate per year it comes out to just under $34,000 per year. This is less than my spouse makes who is in her first year of teaching at a grade school, who we thought made bottom of the barrel salary. I guess we can't really complain as we're both newly out of school? I also checked several websites and most reported that the median average salary was quite a bit higher, this is why I'm surprised. Please add your insights.

Specializes in OR Hearts 10.
I'm about 2 hours south of you, in Southern Illinois.

I moved from S IL a couple years ago, that sounds about right. I started at a little less than $17 6 years ago and made over 45,00 my first year. You have to remember all the diffs and ot involved.

I also pasid $450 month for rent, it's all relative. We still have to live within our means unfortunatly, LOL

All those median #'s are for all those 20 year nurses.

It will work out, right now take what you can get since the job market is not great in many places. Get some expewrience then you will have more options.

Good luck in your new career....

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I started at $18.25/ hr as a new grad in PICU (2008). I was making less money than I ever had in my adult life. It was the best learning experience I could have hoped for as a new grad. With the job market being what it is, take what you can get and start learning. Focus on the quality of the facility and your coworkers instead of the pay. I know people that are paid more, but they hate their job.

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I started at 16/hr 4 years ago!!! Shortly after that all the nurses got a $2/hr cost of living raise, so I would guess starting is probably $18/hr now. I currently make 19.56/hr. plus 10% shift diff on nights and another 10% diff for weekends (The whole facility got .50 raises last year and then all raises were frozen, so no raise with your annual eval.) I'm scheduled 36 hours and get paid for the number of hours I work.

Cost of Living is fairly cheap compared to most other places. Housing cost average between $125-$150k. I've never heard of any one paying more than $400/month rent and that's pretty steep for here.

And you are located where? What state?

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I started at $18.25/ hr as a new grad in PICU (2008). I was making less money than I ever had in my adult life. It was the best learning experience I could have hoped for as a new grad. With the job market being what it is, take what you can get and start learning. Focus on the quality of the facility and your coworkers instead of the pay. I know people that are paid more, but they hate their job.

Can you tell us what state you are in? Thanks

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I was in Arkansas at the time.

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Specializes in Psychiatric, MICA.

Rochester, NY, 2008: 20.80/hr start. Additional parts of the package boost that, of course, such as five weeks vacation plus 40 hours PT, tuition reimbursement, shift differentials and regular raises.

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Well, I have been a clinical nursing instructor for an ADN program in kansas and I make 19.50 /hr. I have been an RN since 1985. I also work at a clinic and make 20/hr. Home Health 17/hr. I pay 600/month for rent and my utilities average 300/month. This will be my last year of teaching. Something is wrong with the pay scale when my students upon graduation make more than I do. That is one of the reasons I am giving up teaching. I have a kid in colllege and I need to make more money and get back into the hospital working as a regular or charge nurse. I feel I am not appreciated for my expertise in nursing. I have alot of experience in big hospitals and all areas of nursing. So fresh out of RN school, no that really isn't that low. Now if you would have been an RN for many years, then yes.

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Specializes in LTC, Medical, Rehab, Psych.

In Seattle, it's about $26-$29 hr, with shift differentials of $4.50/hr. I work in homecare for $23/hr. But I'm not complaining, since it's sooooo much less stressful.

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Specializes in Radiation Oncology.

In New York City starting salary for a new grad is around $66,000.00 to $68,000.00

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Specializes in Pediatric Nursing and Educational Technology.

In 1980 I was paid $7.10/hr as a new grad. That is the equivalent of $18.68 today. So the OP's salary is in line with salaries of 30 years ago. That says that the profession really hasn't progressed in value to the job market.

As to faculty salaries: I have seen $30K to $100K/year depending on degrees, level of the program, workload, research/grant writing expectations. To get higher education salaries you will need a PhD, work in a university with a good union or a good endowment, and work long enough and hard enough to get tenure.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Hopefully that's just a GN salary and you'll get a raise soon. Salaries are a bit stagnant because of the economy. There are new grads clamoring for jobs so facilities are taking advantage by keeping salaries low.

As we can tell, it is regional. GN salaries are a little better here in west central Florida....low 20's per hour.

I'd like to be a Hospice nurse but found out the salary is about $8.00 less than my currently salary. Ugh..............

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Specializes in Emergency, ICU, Corrections.

I don't think that is particularly low given your location. I live in North Mississippi and I think the starting pay is around $22.00/hr. Just guessing though really. Once you are more experienced, you will make more.

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