NACE New Grad Salary Poll Shows 2007 Starting Nursing Salaries Down

[worldtraveler]

Along with Agricultural and Political Science Grads. Unbelievable in this day and age with the so called Nursing shortage(or is it really?) that Salaries are down for new Nursing grads over last year. Goes to show what Importance the Healthcare Industry places on one of the most Valueable members of the healthcare team. However those Bean Counters(Business admin grads, marketers) who trim benefits and wages can look forward to nice 7-10% Increases in Starting salaries over last year. What a creative way to attract new Nurses into the Industry:uhoh3: ,,,Intersting to note that Nurse Grads are NOT considered to be in "Hot Demand" at least not in this Poll in today's USA Today,,,

NACE(National Association of Colleges and Employers

http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2007-05-17-grads-usat_N.htm

[Ginger35]

If this trend continues, we will be back in the same boat we were in not so long ago with "crisis shortages". The supply and demand of a labor force revolves around wages and benefits. Start taking them away and you will see the promising future talent going away also.

I just wanted to add in here that I have been a bedside nurse for 12 years or so. I will be graduating with one of those "admin" degrees in the next couple months (MBA). Knowing what I know working the bedside, I will never forget where I came from in regards to what nurses put up with there.

I think it is a bunch of crap that society in general cries the blues when there are not enough nurses to go around. Yet - they (meaning admin, and the public) don't want to pay for nursing care. The nurse at your bedside is soooo critical in making sure there is a good outcome. Granted, there are other players involved in the patient's care lab, radiology, pharmacy et al. However, they are not having to pull the whole picture together. (I'm not putting these professions down or anything- but just stating the truth).

Considering that reimbursement from insurance companies, Medicare et al is beginning to base some of their reimbursement on the patient outcomes. I don't see this decline in nursing wages to be sustained. Unless, the CFO's et al are willing to forego the percentage of reimbursement based on patient outcomes and satisfaction. They will find out soon enough that taking away the nurses will be like shooting themselves in the foot. Only time will tell I guess.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

With 1000's of students on waiting lists around the country if one person decides the salary is to low to consider nursing, there's another one next in line that will take it.

[Ginger35]

Tweety,

I see what you are saying. However, I see that as a "short-term" cause and effect / remedy. Short-term meaning a year or two projection at most.

Long-term - I don't see these 1,000s of people standing in line and beating the nursing school doors down if the wages take a down turn and remain sustained.

[Sensoria17]

I think this poll was really only looking at 4-year degrees which, of course, isn't necessary for nursing. That's probably why it's not listed in the top 5 careers.

[MsBruiser]

Be leery of these salary surveys. There are lots of variables that can skew them one way or the other - I'm a former MBA-type before entering RN school.

When I first looked into nursing school in 2000 - AZ RN starting salary was around $16.00. It is now $24.00 at same place and slated to rise to $27.00 very soon (in fact, I make almost $17.00 as an LPN-extern as of now). So I am graduating in November of this year and happy.

The average marketing job paid around $41,000. That is with a four year degree. With an associates, an AZ nurse can easily make $60,000 first year (some OT, night differential, etc). So marketing salaries grew exponentially - from one low level to another low level. No biggie.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I think this poll was really only looking at 4-year degrees which, of course, isn't necessary for nursing. That's probably why it's not listed in the top 5 careers.

Agree.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Tweety,

I see what you are saying. However, I see that as a "short-term" cause and effect / remedy. Short-term meaning a year or two projection at most.

Long-term - I don't see these 1,000s of people standing in line and beating the nursing school doors down if the wages take a down turn and remain sustained.

I agree, the long term consequences of depressing salaries might bite adminsitrators in the butt. This might hold true if the economy takes an upswing and there are more attractive and plentiful higher paying jobs. There have been times when this has been true.

But the salaries increase just enough to keep it attractive to many people, and have kept the waiting lists long for many years. I know the starting salary has risen about $10/hr the last decade around here in Florida. But there hasn't been an upward rasie the last year or two. Here the waiting lists are long. And $23.00/hour is attractive to many people, esepcially if they can get that with an Associates Degree.