Pay check??

[All Star_Pre Nurse]

What was your reaction to your first check?

[RNewbie]

I was bummed. I never had a full time job before. Didn't realize the amount of taxes that would be taken out being single w no dependents. Also, got really depressed realizing that I made more working part time as a server and cocktail waitress than as a nurse.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Threads merged as same topic

[Patti_RN]

Funny thing about my first paycheck was that HR messed up my paperwork so no paycheck was issued the first pay period. My supervisor told me that often employees 'miss' their first paycheck, so I should just wait for the next 2 week pay. Same thing two weeks later--still no check. I waited again (didn't want to be the squeaky wheel when I was a new employee). The next pay period I DID say something, and they corrected the mistakes on my paperwork, but it was too late to get the next check! They did issue a check the next pay period and it included all the back pay I was entitled to, so it was quite a little windfall. My husband and I looked at each other and thought off all the sacrifices we made while I was in school, what a wonderful vacation we could have... or buy furniture... or a big down payment on new car... Instead, we put it in the stock market and forgot about it. My first paycheck has swollen in value to the point that I COULD buy a flashy new car, or make a substantial down payment on a house.

[kcdunlap]

I haven't really had a full time pay check and I've been working a year. Hopefully I will by March sometime when I start my new position. Unfortunately we are totally underwater financially so it will only help keep us a float until my hubby gets a job.

[M/B-RN]

My first check came right in time to pay off my first large monthly student loan payment. With the rest, I went shopping!

[Calabria, BSN, RN]

I only worked for part of the pay period, so it was less than half of what I wound up making for that year.

I put most of it towards student loans, even though they were in deferment. And I saved my paystub, so that I can look back on it fondly one day.

[Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN]

Still waiting to get a job. Treading water at the moment, so my first paycheck will go to pay off some debts.... and all of them after that!

But you know, I could use some shoes that don't make my feet ache.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

My reaction in a word was RELIEF. I was in a 12-month accelerated BSN program and had budgeted myself with savings and loan proceeds for about 13 months, so July 31 was pretty much when ALL my money would be gone. I had never been so poor in my life! Getting a job ASAP after graduation was the only option. Thankfully, that happened as planned and when was my first payday? AUGUST 1. Talk about dodging a bullet!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I'll go with relief, too. I was having so much fun at my first job that I thought to myself, "I can't believe they're paying me to do this."

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

Also, got really depressed realizing that I made more working part time as a server and cocktail waitress than as a nurse.

Seriously? Where the heck did you work??? (and are they hiring?)

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

My first paycheck came with a pretty substantial bonus, so I was quite pleased.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I was elated! I did not expect the amount I received for my first RN position. We are well paid where I work.