$ pay scale range

new grad in SoCal making about $35/hr

Pay scale range is really dependent on where you live. I worked in New Jersey and the range was dependent on years of experience, type of degree, LPN's made less. My hospital had clinical ladders which added to your salary, shift diffs. In Colorado, pay was really low 21 to 23 with over 5 years of experience. I now live in KY and pay scale is also low for over 10yrs of experience. Clinical ladder is a long drawn out process but can add 5% to your paycheck. It really does depend on where you live. Cost of living is really not that different area to area. Only thing that is really different has been property taxes. Gas, food, mortgage has been about the same.

US Army, captain with a total of 18 years active duty military. Annual salary of $94,800.

I'm a new grad in Dallas. Make 21.50/hour, but with shift diff, I get 25.25 at night and on night weekends 31.00. I also got a huge sign on bonus too.

South Florida here... RN with Associates Degree and about 1 1/2 years experience. I make 19.60/hr plus 15% shift diff (I work nights), which comes to about 22.50/hr. I just got hired at another hospital which is starting me out at 29/hr plus 5/hr shift diff for nights which comes to 34/hr (this is a per diem job).... This hospital offered me 21.75 plus 5/hr shift diff if I were to go fulltime.

I live in northern Missouri where cost of living is pretty low. At my last job, I made $19.68/hr. and at my new one I will make $20/hr. All I have is an Associate's Degree. Oh, and that is at a nursing home too.

Blessings, Michelle

I am a new grad (BSN) in Boston , and was offered $25/hr for sub-acute/TCU where I will be starting in the next few weeks. I've seen acute hospitals in the city offering new grads upwards of $27/hr.

I'm in the midwest--I've been a nurse since Dec 2007. Almost 8 mos in and I make 21.61 base plus 3.50 night diff and 1.25 weekends. So I am usually a little over $25/hr for weekday nights. Taxes take a lot out though!

Best wishes.

Of course the cost of living in CT is much higher than in Missouri.

Pay scale is very dependant on the State you live in, the area of the State etc.

I laugh when I see people saying on this board.."you make $32 per hr...heck I only make $19..I'm moving to (fill in the State). Thing is your bills will also go way way up, it all evens out, less pay with lessor cost of living equal more pay with higher cost of living.

I need to find a State with a decent cost of living that pays their nurses well....

I agree with your post. Here in the northeast pay tends to be higher (depending on facility), to meet up with the cost of living. I know plenty of nurses that work 2 jobs, to pay $500,000 mortgage and be able to save, and pay bills, car insurances, etc...

I definitely see if there is a nice balance, this will help give people a piece of mind in this country. I know the nurse in NC who is able to live in a stress free environment, able to pay all bills w/ 2 weeks pay, and save her husbands, and 1 check. Now this is living.

At least the NY nurses have the option to afford a 500K house. Even with 2 jobs that's not possible in a state like GA or FL. (Unless I am mistaken)

I would like to know more cities that offer a good quality of life for nurses who can enjoy life without working to death to pay mortgage and bills.

The post above mentioned NC, which I believe since so many are moving to that state. Another option is Houston, where it seems pay is good and houses are affordable while living near/in a major US metro area. I'm not sure if Dallas/Austin/San Antonio also fall into that catergory...meaning good pay & affordable homes.