Money!

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I know we're not supposed to say this, but I am going into nursing mostly for the money. sure, i want a job that is meaningful, and im sick of working in an office, i would like a more active job, and i like the options that an RN seems to have with employment. But i also want to make money! Im 38 and can barely make ends meet. This seems like the best way to get a good job where i can make money with only a two year degree. My question is - what was your starting pay rate when you first graduated? I have heard everything from 18/hr to 30/hr. I know it depends on the location, shift, etc. But i would like to hear from people what they made when they first started nursing. Thank you!

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Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

I made $18 in orientation with promise to go up to $20 for nights. I left that job. Now I'm hired on at $22h/r with weekend and nights will be $24.

Quite an improvement. Travel nurses make a TON though. But no insurance.

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Specializes in Med/Surge.

I am a new grad nurse and have started out at 17.50/hr plus 2.25/hour shift dif from 3-7 and then shift dif for weekends 3.25, plus time and a half for overtime which I always get 4 every paycheck-usually more than 4 per check. This week I will have a full shift of OT. Some of the bigger hosp pay more for new grads but I stayed rural b/c gas prices, and location.

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Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.

I'm older than spit, but my starting salary was a whopping $17K a year. I felt rich, considering I shared a house with a first year attorney who was making $16K a year. Of course, she probably earns 5 times more than me now...

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Specializes in L&D.

Hi there, there's actually another post that lots of new nurses answered that talks about pay: https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117675I am paid in the low $20-something/hr. I work 7p-7:30am and I don't pick up extra shifts and never will unless my husband was to lose his job. We have the shift and weekend differential which pays quite a bit more. Wish it was more. I'll never make what my husband earns with his cushy engineer office job and his 2-hour lunches, no holidays, no weekends, no evenings job. :rolleyes:

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.

I'm a new RN in Mass & our starting pay (was just increased thanks to our union) is $23.50/hour on the day shift, plus $2 more per hour on 3-11 PM (my shift) and $1 more per hour on weekends.

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