Makeing 80k

Sanuk · Oct 20, 2011

Is that a magic number? :)

You could pick up another job, and yes it is common to "travel" where you live. For me, working OT has been enough. It just depends on how much you like where you work and whether you mind being there more!

Orange Tree · Oct 20, 2011

You could move to an area where a "decent" house costs 600K and easily find an 80K paying job.

MandaRN94 · Oct 20, 2011

It is a normal salary here in the bay area of CA but the cost of living is also high and jobs are scarce.

agldragonRN · Oct 20, 2011

i have an adn rn (1 year experience) and will make over 80k this year. i have a full-time job in snf/subacute and prn gig at ltc vent. i do some ots and purposely work all holidays because i get paid x3 during holidays. i am in new jersey.

yuzzamatuzz · Oct 20, 2011

Where do you live? Here in nyc a new grad can easily make 80k if they are working nights/weekends, but cost of living is so high you'd be surprised how quickly that pay check disappears! anyways, I know a lot of nurses who work a full time job and then pick up a per diem job somewhere else. I've considered doing it myself while I'm young but worry about being exhausted all the time. I also think it would be good experience to see how another unit runs and have a different patient population. Since you're working a per diem job right now, maybe you could continue looking for a full time job on top of that?

noahsmama · Oct 20, 2011

You could move to an area where a "decent" house costs 600K and easily find an 80K paying job.

If you're referring to the Bay Area in California, it would be more accurate to say that IF you can find a job, there is a very good chance it will pay at least 80K. However, it's not accurate to say that one can "easily" find a job here.

MandaRN94 · Oct 20, 2011

Agree -that's why I said jobs are scarce.

noahsmama · Oct 20, 2011

Agree -that's why I said jobs are scarce.

I noticed that. That's why I was responding to Orange Tree, not you.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

How can I, a new grad from a BSN program make 80k a year without having to get a master's. I am currently working prn at a hospital. the pay would be nice if the hours were consitant. Should I try and work somewhere else? Work two jobs? Can a travel nurse work in the local area and still be considered a travel nurse? oh well off to work!

I can think of a few ways:

1. Move to a big city (New York, San Francisco, L.A. etc.) where nurse salaries can be in the $40-50/hr range, but prepare to pay $2000-4000 a month in rent/mortgages PLUS other living expenses. Every time I go back home to NYC to visit the parents, the cost of living amazes me. 15 years ago I was living there making 50K and barely saw any of it. And this was with a rent controlled apartment!

2. Work as much overtime as you can get at your current job. Also work every single holiday that comes your way. Volunteer to be on-call as often as possible. Give up hope of a decent social and personal life since any free time will be spent working.

3. Get a second job. Work both of the jobs to the max. Again, forget having much of a social/personal life.

massrn116 · Oct 21, 2011

Not nice Noahsmama.....anyway...I have worked 25+years in MA and with OT my current gross income is 120,000 at a small community hospital...in it for the long haul I guess........

nola1202 · Oct 21, 2011

OMG you guys must be so tired! I'll take less pay and more free time. Thank-you for being so willing to work extra, you are the ones I call when everyone else calls in. :)