So after 3 months, 50+ applications to hospitals, doc offices, agencies, nursing homes.... I finally got my first job as a Registered Nurse at a nursing home and rehabilitation center in Chicago. The pay is $23 per hour with benefits or $25 per hour without benefits. I have heard from other people that the starting salary for RNs in Chicago is usually $25-27 per hour. I was so desperate to get a job so I accepted the offer but of course, I asked the DON why it's so low compared to other places. She tells me that I am new with no experience. OK, I just graduated so fine, I understand.
I started the job 3 days ago. I am appalled to see how they practice nursing!! I know that clinical theory is very different from actual practice but my gosh (!!) I see so many things screaming lawsuits and citations. Also,
I come in at 7am and I am on my feet (NO KIDDING!!) non-stop until 1230pm. At 1pm, I'm back on my feet until 3. Basically, I give, give, give medications. They don't even take vitals. They told me that if they stop and take them, they'd be there all day and they don't pay overtime.
For the past 3 days, on my way home, I feel so dejected and depressed. As soon as I get home, I put my feet up and nurse my achy feet. As much as I would love to keep on applying for hospital jobs, I have no energy left in me to do so. It's only been 3 days---- and I'm already complaining. WOW. It's soooo not like me.
Anyway, I just wanted to vent. And I guess, I'd like to ask around... is $23 per hour for RN job too low? I know there's recession and all and I'm so desperate for a job. I am beginning to think that it's not even worth it. Before nursing school, I made the same amount per hour and I was sitting. Am I giving up so quickly?
hi jan_angel, it's my second career as well-- i was earning around $22/hr while sitting in an office all day. i decided to scrap it and start from scratch to go into nursing. i know i made the right decision.
good luck to you and i hope you do well in whatever you decide to do.
Wowwww! I don't know where you all are located in Illinois but I have a riend who completed her LPN certification in January/February of this year (2009) & started at a nursing home in Chicago @$23/hr. I was shocked she started that high fresh out. I have another friend who is now the director of nursing at an LTC center who says LPN's typicallly start between $20-25/hr and RN's $28-36/hr., in which she says you can easily make up to $50/hr as an RN. I'll be starting at South Suburban in the LPN program in January 10' & I can only hope & pray I dont have a hard time finding a position, at that with good pay. I wish you all the best of luck!:loveya:
I make 20.63 an hour plus benefits at a LTC facility(80 cent differential when I go to nights) but the med pass is never ending, the cutting corners I see there is not my style but there is no other choice if you want to get done... and I'm not sure if it's even worth it. I'm done with daylight orientation and now I'm going on to 4 weeks of orientation on nights. We'll see when I get to graveyard shift if I'm going to stick with it. I can handle nights in general, just not sure if I can handle the job...from what I heard, the night shift is more my style. More quieter and not as stressful this way I could actually breath and think about what I'm doing.
The pay sounds right for a new grad Chicagoland to me. It sure does sound like your job sucks though. Maybe you should look for another?
-b
THis pay is not right new grad RN's in chicago is making at least 25 an hour at the bare minimum. Most or making 26-28 an hour with the latter being 30 in some suburbs where it is hard to keep nurses. Just got to keep looking.
THis pay is not right new grad RN's in chicago is making at least 25 an hour at the bare minimum. Most or making 26-28 an hour with the latter being 30 in some suburbs where it is hard to keep nurses. Just got to keep looking.
Even in the suburbs, nurses are having a hard time finding work due to the economy. So your last statement isn't true
mfr69
8 Posts
hi jan_angel, it's my second career as well-- i was earning around $22/hr while sitting in an office all day. i decided to scrap it and start from scratch to go into nursing. i know i made the right decision.
good luck to you and i hope you do well in whatever you decide to do.
thanks!