No,new grads dont make big bucks !

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Ok so my best friends is starting LPN school January of next year and and she plans to bridge into RN,after that she is definitely moving to Arizona (has family there,loves climate,has a small daughter so she wants a safe envinronment to raise family) The only issue is that she thinks when she moves to Arizona she will get a much better pay than in midwest (we are from Illinois Area) I try to show her a bit of my realistic side of nurses pay and when I tell her than nurses in Arizona can make about 22-24 dollars per hour she simply doesnt believe me.Like even today I have told her that I'm cosidering moving to different state for the experience sake she have asked me what is the pay like in other states and I told her that the states that currently hire dont offer amazing pay and usually is in low 20s because usually those are considered less popular rural states located in the middle of nowhere etc..She doesnt believe,she hold on to this insane idea that nurses in the South Central United States (like Texas,Arizona etc) make God knows how much money.I dont know maybe it is true but I really doubt it, I think Chicago pays decently (usually 26 with shift differential) but I doubt that South Central States pay more because the living costs are definitely lower.Also she is really surprised why I cant find no job...I keep explaining to her that times are rough for new grads,she keeps telling me it is my fault that I'm doing something wrong and she is not worry at all about finding job in Arizona once she graduates.:angryfire Please shed some light into my direction about pay rate in central United States..thanks

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

So sorry I can't help you with the current starting new grad rate. What I can tell you is that Texas in general is hiring new grads, which is way more than other States can say. I don't know about Arizona.

Sad thing is, by the time your friend graduates from LPN then RN program, she will likely not have the struggle you are having as most think nursing jobs will go back to the way they used to be and new grads will be actively recruited.

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Most Arizona hospitals are not hiring new grads at the moment, and she would be in competetion with all the new grads that graduated from local colleges here that have done their clinicals and have worked here in hospitals. I would be lucky to get a job in LTC here in AZ after I graduate in May. It's best to move to Texas. I know a girl at my college in AZ that recently got a job offer there, and who is moving there after xmas.

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Most Arizona hospitals are not hiring new grads at the moment, and she would be in competetion with all the new grads that graduated from local colleges here that have done their clinicals and have worked here in hospitals. I would be lucky to get a job in LTC here in AZ after I graduate in May. It's best to move to Texas. I know a girl at my college in AZ that recently got a job offer there, and who is moving there after xmas.

Thank this my exact opinion but she doesnt believe me!!!!

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Hmm on one hand, she seems naive and on the other seems so positive about finding a job. If she's really into nursing for the love of it, then let leave her be.A lot can happen before she graduates- sll of them good, I pray.

And asking about other state's salaries while neccessary if you're thinking of relocating, is simply bad news if you're not.

Why give yourself grieve thinking about much you could be paid and constantly comparing? Other factors also play a role in salary calculations too, that you or may not be presently aware of.... Hope this helps:)

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

New grads in AZ make about 25-27 an hour depending on what hospital she starts at.

The bad news, nobody is hiring new grads. It is difficult for nurses with experience to find jobs also.

This may improve as the economy picks up. Right now I am seeing low census and this is our busy season.

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New grad starting rate for much of North Texas is about 21-22 an hour. I know of 1 hospital starting at 24, and have heard of another startign at 24. Texas is hiring new grads, but the jobs are not nearly as plentiful as they used to be. There is lots of competition for what is out there and one HR manager met with our clinical group and told us that each open position is getting over 100 applicants. Its a tough market here too...but at least there is a market.

I have a friend who lives in AZ...She is a new grad looking for a job in and around Phoenix. Very few positions and she has been looking for months. She is actually talking about moving away to find a job.

Of course these are current situations and we can only hope things will improve.

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There's a substantial dfference between new grad and new RN hrly rates.

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Also understand that when you compare pay rates, you must also consider cost of living. My brother is an RN in Manhattan. His 2 BR apt rents for $3K/mo! He pays Fed Income Tax, State Tax, City Tax and he is also a smoker where packs of cigarettes cost $10/pack. His 6 figure pay doesn't go very far!

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Specializes in ER.

I was just talking to another nursing student who noted that pay in rural Georgia hospitals for new grad RNs is less than what the carpet factories pay people in Dalton, Georgia. Kind of insulting, no?

It does seem to hover around 21-22/hr but is more like 26/hr for nights/weekends.

Edited to add:

The discussion was mostly hypothetical though since metro and suburban hospitals are doing no hiring and rural hospitals are minimally hiring.

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I've been looking at Arizona, and I can't find much available for experienced nurses, let alone new grads....

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