misconceptions about nursing pay

[johsonmichelle]

As a new graduate nurse who is in the process of getting hired and have been told what my pay is going to be, I have quickly learned that nurses do not make as much as people claim. A lot of people are naive when its come to nursing pay and some even spend close to six figures for schooling. I should also note that pay does vary to location, I'm in the DMV area where cost of living can be decent to expensive. I started this thread to create a discussion about nursing pay and what people should know before they choose this field.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

You shouldn't make the "good" money just yet. You need experience. It sucks I know, but you need something to back up the demand for the higher pay. You will get there though. I started at 19/hr in kansas. 6 years later Im making 6 figures, and no I don't live in California. No one should come out of school expecting high pay.

[johsonmichelle]

You shouldn't make the "good" money just yet. You need experience. It sucks I know, but you need something to back up the demand for the higher pay. You will get there though. I started at 19/hr in kansas. 6 years later Im making 6 figures, and no I don't live in California. No one should come out of school expecting high pay.

not expecting high pay, but like i said some nurses can make as low as $30,000 , where rent alone is $1000, some of the poster says they're making the same as nurses in my area but the cost of living in much lower compared to mines.