Nurse trying to scare me away from RN/Nursing in general

[camci]

I'm a CNA and will be starting (hopefully) LVN school this fall, but last weekend one of our agency RN's came for the holidays and I started asking her about her job and stuff. She is a 60 year old woman who has been in the business for decades, and told me she only makes $30 an hour. I said "but the LVN's here start at $27!" she said "I know, aweful isn't it?". She said everyone will try to glamour me about how much money I'll make as a nurse one day but the truth is they're more underpaid than they let on.

She told me just to stay away from the hard dirty work of nursing and go into computers (uhm, no) or maybe go to something higher than RN one day.

My goal is to one day be a nurse practitioner, but that could be 10 years down the road since I have to be an RN first for 2 years with most NP programs.

Are RN's really this underpaid though? Everywhere I read says RN's make 70-80 a year, is this woman right or is she just an unfortunate exception?

[LVNBSN2]

That sounds funny, but, don't let her take away your dream. I have been an LPN for 6 years and made $20/hr in LTC, $25 at my staffing agency.

It isn't all about the money. You won't get rich, but you will live comfortably. And, right now, that's all anyone can ask for.

[Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN]

Yup, southern states all pay less than 25/ hr for newbies, and don't move up all that fast.

[kaysmom2]

I try to steer clear of much of that negativity especially all the stuff I have been coming across regarding this field in the last few days. Sometimes people don't give you the whole story, rarely do we see what's going on the other side. Maybe her schooling and skills aren't up to par. That sounds likely to me. There are some people in this field (medical) that stay in school, stay taking refresher courses(not the required ones) and just overall stay up to date. I can't speak on behalf of all the workers who have been in the business for a long time, however *gulp* some people just don't want to change and adapt..Newbies...are modable (word?) LOLOL You get the picture.

When I get to hearing "I hate this job..." "they don't pay me enough..." "I can't find a job..." I turn my ears off. :zzzzzI don't want to enter the business with a sense of defeat.

[grpman]

Remember, as has been said already, wages change as you move across the nation and usually the cost of living averages out highs and lows. 30 bucks in Tn isn't the same as 30 in Cali.

I do however think it is sad that so many RN's and RN hopefuls act as if you can't mention money or your motives are wrong. If that is true then donate your time. I believe that the amount of education, hard work, dirty jobs, and stress should be compensated fairly and would like to know why this seems to not be the norm on allnurses. It is also funny b/c nursing is not a get rich job in the first place. It seems to be a case of the middle class telling the lower middle class that they shouldn't care about money. Really? I'm not sure if I know of a single RN that became one so they could drive a Lamborghini and live in a million dollar house.

[TC3200]

Esme12 made a very good point. Since 2008, there has been downward pressure on wages. Hospitals have closed and consolidated facilities and laid off many people. I heard from two local R.N.s who'd been in the field over 25 years and were at the top of their pay scale that their department was closed just to eliminate the high salaries they got. One started over and probably doesn't make $30 /hour now. The other works for state government and I'm sure she isn't getting $30 / hour. If you do not want to relocate, you have to take whatever work you can find in your locale, even if it pays a fraction of your former salary.

In western PA, hospitals have all cut the number of full-time w/ benefits positions, and then hired PRNs and part-timers. Starting salaries for new grad RNs are only $22 - $25 / hour here. Heck, the nursing homes pay beginning LPNs $18-$22.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

30 bucks an hour and she's 60?! I don't believe that! I'm in MS most rn's supposedly (not sure) start off with about 25 an hour. My friend's mother has been a nurse for over 40 and specializes. She makes as much as a doctor, therefore, she's having a hard time finding another hospital to hire her.

I'll bet she is having a hard time finding a hospital willing to pay her top dollar.....and willing to hire someone more mature......

Case in point....once your friends Mom has been looking for over a year and can't find someone who will hire her at what she was making let alone hire someone of mature age.

You'll take what you can get.....hence.... making $30.00/hr.

Sure beats minimum wage at Burger King AND l bet it has nothing to do with outdated skills as most states require CEUs for renewal and has more to do with her experience is pricey and hospitals are reluctant to hire the experienced nurses.......we cost alot and we don't put up with their nonsense....

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I try to steer clear of much of that negativity especially all the stuff I have been coming across regarding this field in the last few days. Sometimes people don't give you the whole story, rarely do we see what's going on the other side. Maybe her schooling and skills aren't up to par. That sounds likely to me. There are some people in this field (medical) that stay in school, stay taking refresher courses(not the required ones) and just overall stay up to date. I can't speak on behalf of all the workers who have been in the business for a long time, however *gulp* some people just don't want to change and adapt..Newbies...are moddable (word?) LOLOL You get the picture.

When I get to hearing "I hate this job..." "they don't pay me enough..." "I can't find a job..." I turn my ears off. :zzzzzI don't want to enter the business with a sense of defeat.

It is not what the schools and newspapers are telling you. Jobs are hard to come by right now. Schools are churning out nurses at a rate greater than need. Money stay at home Mom nurses returned to the bedside because their husbands can't find work. with CEUs' requirement to renew licenses you stay up to date and with competencies every year as per The Joint Commission requirement if you are working you are up to date.

Newbies are MOLDABLE because they....well, are new and haven't learned yet what is right and what is wrong they are just happy to have a job. The reality of nursing is polar opposite of what your are being told in school. There are many truths on the site here. Those of us of experience are disappointed where nursing is right now with scripting, and paper work and administration breathing down your neck with little or now regard for the patients. It's upsetting to us old bats right now......we've worked hard and long and right now bedside care is not what is should be and because of the economy the hospitals are taking advantage of the profession and forgetting the patient.

You won't be paid enough for what you will be doing and have to put up with...but for some, the reward of caring for patients makes up for it in the long run. Nursing is a hard, thankless job....but as thankless as it is.....are it's rewards in a smile, a thank you, a hug. There will be days you will hate your job, hopefully the good will be able to off set the bad for you. No one wants you entering the profession with a sense of defeat... but you need a sense of reality so that you can prepare yourself for your greatest success.

Good Luck in all you do! :)

[kaysmom2]

I hear you and I understand. I know there will be crap days and my head in the cloud days. I have been through the thickest/worst of times and the best of times. I am blessed that I have been afforded an opportunity to jump in. I'm a little different when comes to things like this. I try to look at the upside rather than the downside.

Can I share something I heard a week ago.. "My situation may not be getting better, but I am getting better in my situation"

Ok enough choir preaching carry on...LOL

[bigboi]

There is some disrepencies in what she is telling you. The fact that she has been a nurse for decades is not what is alarming, but the fact that she is an agency nurse with that much experience. Offcourse the area plays a big role in what you make but unless she is not adept in what she does, she should be making alot more than aforesaid.

[♑ Capricorn ♑]

She's probably pulling your leg. With her experience and knowledge she probably makes well over of what an LVN makes. Don't let her negativity dissuade you. If this is something you seriously want no one can't take it away from you, unless you let them.

[Toadlily]

This is close to my heart. When I was 18, I had a full scholarship to attend college. I had chosen nursing because I felt it would be a perfect fit. Well, one day I was visiting a friend at the hospital. The conversation came up about nursing. The RN overheard and bitterly shared how it would be the biggest mistake of my life. The things had a huge impact on me. Frankly, they scared me. Unable to shake her words, I abandoned my dream. 22 years later, I am finishing up my Prereqs for the Nursing program. I am 40 years old and have learned I am the one in the drivers seat. Never let someone's bias have influence over you. See for yourself and decide. Be fearless! Best of luck to you.

[taylissa]

I've had a few situations like this happen to me, worse yet is that I was actually IN clinicals when it happened no kidding, while working on the floor the nurse actually had the nerve to tell me I was crazy for wanting to be a nursethat this is terrible and this is horrible and the pay is awful ect ect ect well I think I was in shock and on the verge of tears the rest of the day wow that really takes nerve