Nurse ($66,000 salary) -- from Charge Nurse ($44,000) to Nurse Emergency RN ($144,000)
Calling projected employment opportunities for nurses "excellent," BLS details that Nursing already makes up the largest healthcare occupation, at 2.5 million jobs, and that roughly 587,000 new Nursing positions will be added through 2016. A registered nurse (RN) has the ability to specialize in multiple areas of patient care -- for instance, as a pediatric nurse, you'd work with children, while as a pediatric oncology nurse your specialty would be young people with cancer. There are many specialty options for nurses, varying by employment setting. Educational options take three main forms: a bachelor's of science degree in Nursing (BSN), an associate degree in Nursing (ADN), and a diploma (administered within hospitals).
For 10 or more years, I had a 6 figured income. Now my house is paid for. I have gone green at home, with solar panels and wind turbine, and other things. I now only work 24 hours a week to keep my hand in. The rest I am busy doing what I want to do in life. Which is everything else. I might even run for political office.
For 10 or more years, I had a 6 figured income. Now my house is paid for. I have gone green at home, with solar panels and wind turbine, and other things. I now only work 24 hours a week to keep my hand in. The rest I am busy doing what I want to do in life. Which is everything else. I might even run for political office.
The cost of living is very high in some places in the US especially California. New grad nurses start between $40-$45/hr in the SF Bay Area that doesn't include shift or weekend differential. So it is very possible after a few years on the job to be making over $100 without OT. However even with the housing slump it is hard to find a decent house in a decent neighborhood with decent schools for under $500K the SF Bay area.
Wow! What is your specialty? I just started nursing school and had no idea there were so many areas of nursing. When I graduate, my kids will be in college, so I will be able to do whatever I want. I love watching Trauma, Life in the ER on tv and think that sounds great, and I also think I might like the OR.
Wow that is great. I would love to accomplish some of things you have. I start my first job as a nurse in November. I worked in the hospital for 7 years prior but not as a nurse. There are so many things that I want to do and I know that my salary will not allow me to do everything unless I work a ton of OT. I was thinking about going back and getting my masters in administration.
I'd just like to point out something: there are areas where there is high demand for nurses with specialized skills (such as ED and ICU). The more experience you have, the better. I've known of one CVICU nurse who moved to a rural area in another state; she had experience with dialysis, vents, ECMO, etc. When she applied for an ICU job in another state, she was offered house supervisor due to her extensive experience. She ended up making an extra $20/hr compared to her old job (which probably put her at $60/hr).
I know nurses who work ED pool positions who make $45-60/hr with benefits. But this is after many, many years of hard work, crappy hours, poor pay, extensive training and classes, and sacrifice.
I see nurses on the net saying they make $100,000. or more anually all the time, but I have only met one irl, in all my years.
He was a traveler who worked 6-7 days a week, often worked up to 3 weeks in a row without a day off. Did 12 hr shifts, and did back-to-back-to-back travel contracts.
He was not a very good nurse, either. He did just the bare minimum to get by.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to make a decent payrate commensurate with the responsibility of the job, but I am getting really sick of the "Big Bucks" emphasis on nursing! People who go into nursing ONLY for the "money" are the ones who are miserable themselves, miserable to work with and are on here complaining of burnout after only a year in nursing! They are the "I didn't go to school to wipe butts", "I won't work nights/holidays/weekends" or "I only want to do this for a desk job" kind of nurses.
I don't make anywhere near the 6 figures, most years in the 50-60,000 range, but I am not stressed out, while I have the occasional frustration or shift from hades I still love what I do and look forward to it (after 25 + years in nursing). I do, as a traveler take about 8-12 weeks off a year and get to see family often.
This is not a job for those "only in it for the money" and if you are one of those I really don't want to work with you!
Okay, rant over, putting away the soapbox. Just had to get it out of my system.
I beg to differ here. I place a lot of interest in money and have done so. I am not stressed out, unhappy, miserable or anything else. I love what I do. And I love the high stress areas, currently ER. But my years working that 6 figure income paid off handsomely. I invested in stocks and bonds well. Besides my 401k. My house is paidoff, now granted its a Texas house and not a California big expensive house. But it is all mine. No bank involvement anymore. I have a well for secondary water, I have solar power and wind turbine power. And a septic system. And I am adding other green alternatives to my lifestyle.
I only work nursing 24 hours a week now, part time. I do have a second job, but that is also something I love. Yes money has always been of keen interest to me. It has allowed me to live life on my terms. Nothing bitter or miserable here, I promise you. I have been and continue to be an extremely fortunate person, and I acknowledge this.
Wow that is great. I would love to accomplish some of things you have. I start my first job as a nurse in November. I worked in the hospital for 7 years prior but not as a nurse. There are so many things that I want to do and I know that my salary will not allow me to do everything unless I work a ton of OT. I was thinking about going back and getting my masters in administration.
Get your MS in admin if you want. I just have a BSN, I love being a nurse. I have never wanted to do Admin. style of work. Too many meetings. I became a nurse to be a nurse, just not a suit. But if you want it. go for it.
I beg to differ here. I place a lot of interest in money and have done so. I am not stressed out, unhappy, miserable or anything else. I love what I do. And I love the high stress areas, currently ER. But my years working that 6 figure income paid off handsomely. I invested in stocks and bonds well. Besides my 401k. My house is paidoff, now granted its a Texas house and not a California big expensive house. But it is all mine. No bank involvement anymore. I have a well for secondary water, I have solar power and wind turbine power. And a septic system. And I am adding other green alternatives to my lifestyle.
I only work nursing 24 hours a week now, part time. I do have a second job, but that is also something I love. Yes money has always been of keen interest to me. It has allowed me to live life on my terms. Nothing bitter or miserable here, I promise you. I have been and continue to be an extremely fortunate person, and I acknowledge this.
It sounds like you've really got it together - and as you said, you love what you do. I certainly don't begrudge anyone the result of their hard work! The ones I was referring to are those who are going into nursing "for the money", but don't have a clue, or any desire to know, what nursing is really about.
Iam46yearsold
839 Posts
For 10 or more years, I had a 6 figured income. Now my house is paid for. I have gone green at home, with solar panels and wind turbine, and other things. I now only work 24 hours a week to keep my hand in. The rest I am busy doing what I want to do in life. Which is everything else. I might even run for political office.