Nurses Make The Big Bucks

Published

I get this a lot and I'm sure you guys get this too! When I tell people that I'm a nursing student and that I want to be a nurse, they starting telling me, "You are going to make so much money!" One guy was rubbing his fingers together signaling that nurses make a lot of money. I was offended by it. I never got into it for the money and I keeping telling them it's hard work.

What do you guys think? Do you also get that too from friends, family, relatives and strangers? How do you respond to them?

Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I have to work more than 3 OT shifts a month to make the big bucks, which is what I'm doing the next schedule. This reminds me, I should get to bed because I must be up at 4am to go make big bucks. :rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC/Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

I tell them I'm happy to be in a career thats rewarding in a variety of ways. Everybody needs to make a living, and I'm finally able to make a living at something I'm good at, enjoy, and gives me career options. If it every starts to suck, I'll look at other options.

I get this a lot and I'm sure you guys get this too! When I tell people that I'm a nursing student and that I want to be a nurse, they starting telling me, "You are going to make so much money!" One guy was rubbing his fingers together signaling that nurses make a lot of money. I was offended by it. I never got into it for the money and I keeping telling them it's hard work.

What do you guys think? Do you also get that too from friends, family, relatives and strangers? How do you respond to them?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.
Pinkster, he probably didn't take into consideration that docs don't make that much right out of medical school and in residency. Plus, why would you want to paged all hours of the night. Not my cup of tea. I'd rather be a NP.

exactly!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

well, like someone mentioned earlier, it's depends on with whom you are speaking. i think RNs make more than a lot of other careers - plus we get the option of being able to work almost anywhere. but there are also a lot of other areas that make more than RNs do, so it's all relative.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

hahah omg, yes I get this all the time. Everyone is like, "ooh, you'll be making the big bucks now!"

To myself I think, "I don't know what big bucks is to you, but I'm starting at 22.25, which is probably going to come to about under $40,000 my first year."

I don't know, it will be nice, but definitely doesn't feel like the big bucks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

One of my patients mentioned that the other day, actually. I just smiled at him and told him I didn't really want to discuss it. This was of course coming from a young guy that was desperately looking for better work and was making minimum wage somewhere. I told him to look into nursing school if he keeps on having trouble finding a job. Seriously though, after my mortgage payment, groceries, my 3 kids private school payment, and utilities (no credit cards/car payment because I'm CHEAP), I rarely have much left over for luxuries in life. 10% of my income alone goes into my 403b/401k just so I can afford to retire comfortably since pensions are a thing of the past. So much for the big bucks! I just count myself lucky that I'm able to make an honest living. I might have money in a savings account/403b/stocks, but just last week I was scrounging for change on the floor of the car just to get gas money to make it home from work the day before payday!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.
One of my patients mentioned that the other day, actually. I just smiled at him and told him I didn't really want to discuss it. This was of course coming from a young guy that was desperately looking for better work and was making minimum wage somewhere. I told him to look into nursing school if he keeps on having trouble finding a job. Seriously though, after my mortgage payment, groceries, my 3 kids private school payment, and utilities (no credit cards/car payment because I'm CHEAP), I rarely have much left over for luxuries in life. 10% of my income alone goes into my 403b/401k just so I can afford to retire comfortably since pensions are a thing of the past. So much for the big bucks! I just count myself lucky that I'm able to make an honest living. I might have money in a savings account/403b/stocks, but just last week I was scrounging for change on the floor of the car just to get gas money to make it home from work the day before payday!

Been there and doing that. If I don't work over time I don't cover all of my bills and I'm not able to save.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I have heard this numerous times. I think it all depends on who is making the statement as one of the above posters mentioned. I am told this due to me and my wife both being RN's. Not rich by no means...just living comfortable...and it was hard earned if I must say:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.

I will say I get paid well. I work hard for it. But I get paid well. Life has been good and even generous as far as I am concerned. I have worked hard and now I reap those benefits. I am quite comfortable, and saving money, even with all my vacations I take.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU, Neuro, Ortho, Med/Surg, Travele.

The sad truth of the matter is that across the board we make less than we should. If you live in areas of KY, TN your pay rate is horrible and the benefits, if you can call them that aren't worth what you pay out for the coverage. When I lived in NJ I made between 65-75k with OT. My benefits were excellant. In CO 23.00/hr with barely any benefits (access hospital in rural community). Agency paid 37.00 with no benefits. KY 23-27/hr with over 10 years exp. Yes, if I compare apples to oranges it's not bad but, cost of living is not that different region to region. Why is it that hospitals and other facilities don't feel the need to pay us what we are worth. No, I did not go into this profession for the money but I have a family to support and if have to work long hours and horrible shifts then, yes I and all of you should be paid more. We can go back and forth about education levels, and regions discussions but we all literally break out backs to care for patients, often missing out on milestones with our family. Hospitals, their CEO's, insurance companies are making millions but give us little in return. My question, when are we as a group, both men and women, going to take back control of our profession.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hello, I am a pre-nursing students and the majority of ppl I know that have worked at their jobs 15+ years make about 50-70k yearly. So in my opinion making around those numbers my first year out of school with my ADN is awesome. And I will be greatful to make that much money despite the hard work that comes along with it.

also in my area that is what new nurses make....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU/NICU.

I can remember getting my first paycheck as an RN..... this was a while ago... me and my room mate went to the grocery store and I felt like I was rich because I could buy anything I wanted-- even the box of Kellog's cereal and not the generic kind I had been able to afford on my CNA salary! HA HA HA !!!

Well, 13 years and 2 kids later, I feel like "they can't pay me enough" some days!!!!!

:chuckle

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion