NURSE work schedule

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Can you work 3 days a week an be off 4??

Hows the pay? ? What's the average starting salary? ?

Hows life if you have a family vs a nurse??

What's the average pay check?

I have a question for some that recently graduated here. Since this is the topic to ask, are some of you able to pay your regular bills (car, rent, cellphone, etc..) and your student loans and still have some left over to save for extras?

Yes. I pay rent, car loan, car insurance, cell phone, home internet (no cable), payments on $22K in student loans, retirement contributions, and 10% of my paycheck to savings.

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My, so many loaded questions, so little time....

I remember what a "good job" and "great pay" looked like at 19. I assure you that number is a fraction of what I make now, and my current pay could use some perks to look better.

At one time, nurses were in greater demand and could therefore earn more money and new grads could be reasonably assured of finding not only instant jobs, but ones that came with sign-on bonuses. Nowadays, new grads often have difficulty finding ANY jobs, let alone their top choices. Depending on the area you live in and the needs of that area AT THE TIME you are applying, you could either find decent employment---or not.

Comfortable living on a nurse's pay? Yes, no and maybe, like pretty much every job out there. It is not easy money by any stretch. And you may have to do a whole lot of jobs you don't like much before anyone ever lets you get a chance to "start saving lives!!!!!!".

Check with your school's job placement center to see how they do at finding positions for their grads. Take a look at the job listings at local hospitals and nursing homes to see what they are looking for, and what the rate of pay is.

Only time will tell if your paycheck is worth what went into getting it......we can't.

Best of luck to you.

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I think you should explore various jobs. Nursing is not a easy degree for those that want a quick buck. Not saying you need to be "called" just motivated enough to research independtly and make a decision.

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Thank you so much! I can't wait to help and save people's lives!!!!Do you recommend this as a very good career in demand??
Whenever I see prospective students say something along the line of "I can't wait to save lives!", I can't help but wonder if they're confusing nurses with EMT/paramedics.

Yes, nurses are often involved in codes. But so are all members of the healthcare team, from doctors down to patient transport. "saving lives" isn't really what being a nurse is about.

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Well inform me then

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Well inform me then
Well, others could define nursing better, but it's more the promotion of health and the easing of suffering. I think TV has trained the general public to view nurses and paramedics as somehow interchangeable. But they're really not. And I think that ends up being a disappointment to some people. (BTW, my comment was a broad observation, not a comment on you specifically:) )
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i live ina rural area with cheaper rent but food and gas is very expensive. i still buy what i want with regards to food. I pay my rent, new car bill, insurance, cell phone, cable and internet, gas for my car, electricity and i still save some money. i now work threes 12s and some ot. in terms of schedule be prepared to rotate and maybe i the same week. i did . my facility rarely hires for three 12s it is almost all 2 twelves and 2 eights . days, evenings and nights. you are scheduled where they need you .

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UnleSs you are in a trauma er or icu you are not going to be saving lives left and right like they do on tv. Yes even a lowly med surg nurse like me has codes, catches acute changes in pt that really did save their life but you are not living "true er stories" every shift.

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i live ina rural area with cheaper rent but food and gas is very expensive. i still buy what i want with regards to food. I pay my rent new car bill, insurance, cell phone, cable and internet, gas for my car, electricity and i still save some money. i now work threes 12s and some ot. in terms of schedule be prepared to rotate and maybe i the same week. i did . my facility rarely hires for three 12s it is almost all 2 twelves and 2 eights . days, evenings and nights. you are scheduled where they need you .[/quote']

Wow so do you like it????????? Does working times work good for familys

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Well others could define nursing better, but it's more the promotion of health and the easing of suffering. I think TV has trained the general public to view nurses and paramedics as somehow interchangeable. But they're really not. And I think that ends up being a disappointment to some people. (BTW, my comment was a broad observation, not a comment on you specifically:) )[/quote']

Its kool:)) lol but I want to help people and have a good career successful!!!!"

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Wow so do you like it????????? Does working times work good for familys

Depends what you mean. As a nurse you will be working nights, weekends, and holidays when daycare facilities aren't open so you may have to find someone to watch your child that doesn't mind your ever changing schedule

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Who could watch my child day care???

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