Nurses make more than median salary, so you should be grateful for what you earn?

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Hi, I have been reading a lot of comments saying that nurses make more than the median salary, so you should be grateful for what you earn or you earn more than the average of the population.

To be honest with this opinion, I disagree.

The median salary often referred to in this case includes those who did not go to college or those who work part-time.

If we compare the median salary of mid-level college graduate jobs, nurses' mid-level salary is on the lower side compared to other jobs.

Don't say that you did not do this for money. If you say so, you should not get paid instead should do some volunteer for free. We are still responsible for our care and can be sued by patients. This sounds like it has some money involved. Isn't it?

Let's talk about New York.

Considering mid-salary of college graduate workers they are most likely to be six-figure for sure close to $200k, but nurses are below or around $100k in their mid-level career.

I think we should not discourage each other by saying that you didn't get in this field for money or your money is enough for the job you are doing.

Don't you think it is unfair to be treated like this?

If travel nursing can pay that much why can't regular full-time pay us that much?

Is leaving this field the only thing that I can do?

This is so frustrating.

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

First, I don't think that anyone should go into any field solely for the money, hopefully you will also enjoy the career. However, in nursing and every other vocation, there's a need to support oneself and potentially a family, and that's an important aspect of a position.

I came from another career field that paid better than nursing, but did require more schooling at the entry level. 

I don't think the pay is inappropriate or unfair. Travel nurses make more because hospitals aren't paying for their benefits and they don't have to train people. They are a short term investment for a hospital and the job market has made it something profitable for everyone involved. 

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3 hours ago, JBMmom said:

First, I don't think that anyone should go into any field solely for the money, hopefully you will also enjoy the career. However, in nursing and every other vocation, there's a need to support oneself and potentially a family, and that's an important aspect of a position.

I came from another career field that paid better than nursing, but did require more schooling at the entry level. 

I don't think the pay is inappropriate or unfair. Travel nurses make more because hospitals aren't paying for their benefits and they don't have to train people. They are a short term investment for a hospital and the job market has made it something profitable for everyone involved. 

I disagree with this.  My company lets me know each year how much I’m compensated including benefits and it’s no where near a travel nurse salary.  It makes no sense to me to not pay a few dollars more an hour for your core nurses to retain them.  
 

I've come across many dangerous travel nurses that make more than double what I do as a nurse with years of experience.  Right now, travel nurses are warm bodies, nothing more.  
 

And I don’t blame those that want to travel.  If I had tons of student debt, and was not married and kidless, you bet I would travel for the money.  But it’s dangerous.  Patients are getting nurses that have very little to no experience in areas.  And it’s simply to fill holes.  

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44 minutes ago, LovingLife123 said:

I disagree with this.  My company lets me know each year how much I’m compensated including benefits and it’s no where near a travel nurse salary.  It makes no sense to me to not pay a few dollars more an hour for your core nurses to retain them.  

It makes perfect sense: Their main goal is not to retain anyone. Not being beholden to the idea of retaining nurses saves them money and ensures that the staff remains largely powerless (assuming at-will employment).

Travel nurse pay reflects the fact that they can pay them and then be done with them when they want to.

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I am curious about the data. Mid-career college graduates making six figures and close to around $200K? That seems high.

Did the researcher include all those master's prepared teachers and librarians who earn far less? What about the college-educated adjunct instructors paid by the class? Social workers? 

If the financial compensation of nursing is not enough, you can change careers. Of course the six-figure salary world comes with higher barriers. It helps to have excellent grades, a strong work ethic (50+ hour weeks are not uncommon), useful contacts, mentors who can guide you, and money for the cost of education (variable, but if some fields the pedigree of your university matters). 

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

 

On 8/11/2021 at 7:35 PM, LovingLife123 said:

I disagree with this.  My company lets me know each year how much I’m compensated including benefits and it’s no where near a travel nurse salary.  

May I ask what your benchmark for an average travel nurse's salary/compensation is?  Like, paycheck and whatever benefits they might have?

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
On 8/11/2021 at 9:25 PM, JKL33 said:

Travel nurse pay reflects the fact that they can pay them and then be done with them when they want to.

Yup, even when they decide to drop them in the middle of their contract with no warning.  Better find a new contract, quick.  Hope you aren't out $$ on that 3-month apartment rental that you already paid for.
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On 8/11/2021 at 9:25 PM, JKL33 said:

It makes perfect sense: Their main goal is not to retain anyone. Not being beholden to the idea of retaining nurses saves them money and ensures that the staff remains largely powerless (assuming at-will employment).

Travel nurse pay reflects the fact that they can pay them and then be done with them when they want to.

But that’s dangerous.  I know some nights on my unit it’s nothing but travelers and new grads.  

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On 8/13/2021 at 8:09 PM, Julius Seizure said:

 

May I ask what your benchmark for an average travel nurse's salary/compensation is?  Like, paycheck and whatever benefits they might have?

I know from speaking to the many travelers I have encountered and the current offers out there, they make double to triple what I do.  As a core staff nurse that has about 10 years experience in my specialty and unit, it’s disheartening.  Especially when I have to listen to them complain about their assignments or having to float.  That’s why you make all that ?.  

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
12 hours ago, LovingLife123 said:

I know from speaking to the many travelers I have encountered and the current offers out there, they make double to triple what I do.  As a core staff nurse that has about 10 years experience in my specialty and unit, it’s disheartening.  Especially when I have to listen to them complain about their assignments or having to float.  That’s why you make all that ?.  

Yes I know you said 'double to triple.'  What is the ballpark figure - $50k, $100k, $200k?  What are these travelers telling you that they make?

17 hours ago, LovingLife123 said:

But that’s dangerous.  I know some nights on my unit it’s nothing but travelers and new grads.  

And without the travelers, it would be nothing but new grads.  That is a problem with your hospital's inability to retain nurses, not a problem with travelers themselves.  (My guess is that we can agree on that.)

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3 hours ago, Julius Seizure said:

Yes I know you said 'double to triple.'  What is the ballpark figure - $50k, $100k, $200k?  What are these travelers telling you that they make?

And without the travelers, it would be nothing but new grads.  That is a problem with your hospital's inability to retain nurses, not a problem with travelers themselves.  (My guess is that we can agree on that.)

I know travelers are necessary.  But I think when you pay your core staff say $26/hr and a traveler is getting $100, it irks me.  Pay your core staff more to retain them.  We’ve lost so many great nurses to traveling in the past year.  And I don’t blame them with the rates being paid.  I’d do it too if I was young and didn’t have family.

The problem lies is these are 13 week contracts, so nobody feels any type of loyalty to the unit.  So the care ends up being subpar.  
 

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On 8/14/2021 at 5:10 PM, LovingLife123 said:

But that’s dangerous.  I know some nights on my unit it’s nothing but travelers and new grads.

I know, I hear you. But dangerous means something different to them. Besides, they use their stats and their financial and legal teams to figure out how the likelihood of catastrophes and how many of them they can afford and what chances they're willing to take.

Yes, normal people would think that you pay a little more and change your horrible work culture so that you can retain experienced employees who are doing a good job. It's a pretty straightforward concept. They aren't doing it. This discussion has come up for years and still they aren't doing it. It isn't on the table, it isn't their plan and it isn't what they want to do.

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