Making 100k salary/ income as a nurse?

I am interested in what specialties are making 100k. I have 3 daughters in nursing school and can advise them on a lot, but not necessarily give them a big pic of the financial opportunities from across the nation. I am a 25 year RN and have a 65k salary, but double it most years with ot. not much fun working 68-72 hour weeks though. please tell me your specialty, experience , salary, and salary with diff and ot. oh, and where you r in the USA thank you all and hope your practice is professionally and financially rewarding

Specializes in ER, Med-surg.
TheAtomicStig_702 said:
I have a question, and most RNs are free to laugh cause I'm sure the ones with experience would probably never do this. If I'm a new grad..and say I get hired on at a hospital doing med surge and my schedule at work is 3 12's for the week...what if I wanted to work at another hospital that scheduled me 3 12's around my other 3 12's? As a second job? Is it doable? Is it recommended? Is it possible? Is it even legal? Has anyone ever done that when they were a new grad or now? I'd only do it for the extra experience and extra income considering I have student loans to pay back and just want them out of my life as soon as possible. (Who doesn't? I have yet to meet anyone with a mortgage to say they love their mortgage)..

This could be something for the OP. Btw, I'm in Las Vegas and not a nurse yet, just trying to get there and be done with school so I can enjoy life!

***Edit: Oh, and I'd probably do it for a year straight because I just hate living as a college student and not having my own money. After that, resign and work either one that I liked the best or keep doing it until I got sick of it. 6 days a week with one day off. I know as a CNA I could work doubles if I wanted to if the hospital or clinic was short CNA's but if nurses typically run 12 hours a day or more, that being a double shift doesn't sound possible or legal. I know one RN that did a triple shift and it was on accident. I hear those are illegal.

Many nurses work a full-time 36 hour job and a second per diem/PRN job (which can vary in hours from as few as one shift a month to one or more a week). The per diem job usually pays more/hour as it has no benefits. The reason for this is that per diem jobs are very flexible and it's possible to schedule them around your full-time job.

It's essentially impossible to work two full time nursing jobs, because no full-time job is going to agree to schedule you around another full time job. You absolutely would run in to scheduling problems. It also makes no sense- most jobs have available overtime, and you would make far more working those hours somewhere where you're paid overtime than working a second job where you're somehow at 72 hours without overtime.

You also probably can't and definitely shouldn't take a second job of any kind while you're still a new grad. You have a *lot* to learn in that first year, which will include didactic classes outside your work time and a lengthy orientation- take the time to learn it properly. Any job that would be willing to hire you PRN as a new grad (and there wouldn't be many) is NOT a place you should work. PRN jobs are typically intended for experienced nurses who need minimal orientation to a unit and specialty. New grads typically need and get 3-6 months of orientation before being allowed to practice independently. You can see why good employers would be reluctant to hire people who need months of orientation for a job where they might only work one shift or less a week, right?

"Anesthesia nurse" is an advanced practice role that requires completing years more of highly competitive school and an additional licensing process.

Travel companies do not hire new grads for the same reasons that new grads aren't hired for PRN jobs- they are looking for experienced people who can hit the ground running in an under-staffed unit.

I make north of 100K as a med surg RN...but it takes me 2 years as I am a 0.6 w/ +1-2 shifts pickup per pay period. I raise my child, go to concerts, and travel. Although I would like to make more, I would not love to imbalance my life with more work.

Drphillgood said:
I've been a nurse for going on 9 months and like many people said it's all about where you work. I was able to get into a management position at about 85k/yr with extremely good benefits and retirement. So it all depends on where you live and what you want to do.

On a side note, with the way current tax brackets are if you're shooting for 100k I would go for more like 150k. If you're breaking the 95k mark the new tax bracket basically makes it redundant until you're up over 110-115 unless you have a really good tax man.

LOL.

I hear this a lot from nurses about picking up overtime.

THIS.IS.NOT.HOW.TAXES.WORK.

Each tax bracket taxes the income that falls within that bracket so if you fall into a higher bracket like lets say the 28% bracket ($91,901-$191,650) only the EXTRA income from $91,901-$191,650 is taxed at 28%. Your income from $37,951-$91,900 is taxed at 25% still etc.

I'm late replying to a few people who had a problem with my comment, but sometimes I wonder if you ever think about your money and appreciate how much you make compared to someone who does not or didn't have the opportunity you have to be where you are today. I'm not talking about starving children in Africa. More like, if you feel like this career isn't about the money, would you do it for a lot less at what you and all the other nurses in existence that work for the sick put up with? Sometimes you HAVE to think about yourself. Not "putting yourself before patients" but how much I've worked and can I afford a vacation?

I don't know what new grads get placed in and I accept that ignorance that is the experienced nurses' punching bag. The problem is seen, the solution is then made. Was it a good quality solution? No, not what I was looking for. "Nursing isn't about the money" also sounds like "I work 24/7 365 and have no problem if nursing salaries dropped to minimum wage". When I say I hope I get into nursing school, I think I know what I'm willing to deal with and sometimes, not 24/7 365, I'd like to think about taking time off occasionally to reduce some burnout, if I ever come to that point which I guess is common amongst nurses.

Thanks Flatline! I just assumed it was flat once you crossed the threshold. I've never done my taxes as my Mother works payroll and can do them in no time flat so I'd never bothered to look into it.

I digress on the tax information :) and accept this new information willingly!

As others have said; it really is all local...

Here in NYC RNs are already pulling between 75k to near 94k per. It is not uncommon for a RN to do her (or his) three twelve's at their main gig, then pick up another eight (or 12 if their body can stand it) shift someplace else. This and or pick up some overtime. Either way you can earn around 13k -14k more per year. That is enough to push many close to if not above 100k per year.

Salary: Registered Nurse in New York City, NY | Glassdoor

I am a WEO nurse and even with an extra shift per week, I am no where near 100K more like 70. This is NC though Agree with PP about where you are and cost of living. I am in school for informatics and I am told it has the potential for 6 figures. Time will tell.

How are you liking Informatics? Are you taking Nursing Informatics or Health Informatics? I live in Charlotte and am looking at furthering my education for a higher salary earning. Thanks.

nc . we are forbidden by state law to have collective bargaining. we do have unions, but without collective bargaining the unions are weaker , salaries low. cost of living low also so its not all bad. thanks for your input

Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

I do. Operating Room, my Hospital pays a higher rate for the OR, plus with call... all the OT I care to pick up-- well , well over 100k

interested???

Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

I should add , I'm on the East coast, and work @ an Ivy League affiliated level 1 Trauma Center...

RNOTODAY said:
I do. Operating Room, my Hospital pays a higher rate for the OR, plus with call... all the OT I care to pick up-- well , well over 100k

interested???

Call?

OT?

East Coast and high COL/away from family/support system?

Nope!

Young and single, I might consider it.

If income is the motivator nursing might not be the right choice. i'm not trying to be snarky or rude but nursing is not a high earning profession. Where I live its difficult to get into nursing school. Those who enter generally has the grades to get into more high earning professions if they wanted to. As PA's or NP's they can get a pretty high income though.

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