OK, I have a big beef here. I'm currently in my first year of nursing, and I feel like I have to say something regarding nurses complaining about their pay.
Reading these boards, I just came across someone who said they make $34 an hour in Ontario, and they were telling someone that if they're looking to make money, go into accouting or something. THis just floored me!
$34 and hour!!!! How can you tell me that is not making money? Many many nurses who work in Ontario get WAY less than that.
I just really don't understand.
People are always saying, "if you're in this profession to make money, get out because you won't be rich." This is ridiculous. I live in SK Canada, where nurses make $24 starting (I think) or if not, it's very close to that figure. That is considered a WELL paying job. How can you not live comfortably on pay like that? I know many many many many people who make considerably less than that, and they do just fine.
Some nurses say that there is no money in nursing. Has anyone heard of a Nurse Practitioner? I know they don't make millions, but they do make more than RN's, some even make 6 figures. I am going to be one. Once I'm an RN, I'm working in the ER for one year, then returning to school for a 30 week course. YOu don't have to be a genious to do this either.
I know that you have to love nursing to be in it. You CANNOT be in it JUST FOR THE MONEY, but it makes me mad when people say THERE IS NO MONEY. Some areas pay nurses more than others.
I know it's a lot of work, it's stressful, and it's a hard job, and I know that many people (including me) feel that we should be payed more for what we do, but come on people. Doesn't it make you mad when people who make $34 an hour complain they don't have enough money? Do you spend foolishly? The cost of living in Ont is higher than SK, but $34 an hour is STILL much more than many many people in that prov make.
I thought that once I graduated my financial problems would be over...not the case. Now, I worry about being placed on call and I need that money to pay my bills (I make 19.89 an hour). One week I only worked 16 hours and this was at a full time. So, because of having weeks like this since I have started, my utilities have had to wait, my car payment is consistently one month behind and I really have to ration my grocery money. It really sucks. Of course, I choose to work at this facility that seems overstaffed, but we have really good ratios and the ratios are even going down again (currently 4 on days, 4 on eves, and 5-8 on nights...I think on nights they are dropping it to six).
New Mexico is crying for nurses (probably like everywhere).
Wages are fair for the cost of living.
-R
Same here.
mjlrn97,
I also moved from San Diego...one of the things I found funny was when I lived in SD, I shared a 3 bd apart and paid 700. I also made 4 dollars less than I do in Vegas ( as a dental assistant) I moved here, got paid 4 more and lived in my own, new apartment for 550! Now I have a house (with my BF) that was something I never imagined doing in So Cal even with my BF.
Just goes to show you that sometimes the more expensive places to live don't really pay more.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I know what you mean, iliel......When I was in San Diego a couple of years ago, I researched nursing salaries just for the heck of it, and found that wages weren't really any better than I was making here in Oregon. At the time I was making around $22/hr., and most hospital jobs around SD County were paying $20-25/hr. depending on experience. My DH could have made a LOT more down there doing electronics assembly, but then we'd have had to pay so much more for housing and utilities it would have eaten up any extra wages he might have made, and then some. I'm glad we decided to stay right here......yes, there are times I miss the sun and the beautiful weather, and I wish I could be a "snowbird" and stay there from about mid-February until June...but Oregon has been home to me for a long time, and I don't see that changing in the foreseeable future. Besides, I know I'd never find a 3000 sq.ft. house on several acres of forest land there for less than $2500 (or more) per month......a place where I can literally watch the seasons change in front of my eyes, where deer wander through and squirrels frolic on my front lawn to entertain me every day.
I happen to be a NP and I can tell you that I do not make 6 figures. You don't have to be a genius but you do have to be pretty good at ACCURATE/Timely assessment, diagnosis, planning and evaluation.
Otherwise, figure on getting fired or sued or both.
In fact, I have been thinking that if you factor in my long hours(exempt from OT) and my masters degree AND the huge responsibilities that I have....a senior RN is getting a better deal.
There was an ad in the newspaper that says a senior RN gets
nearly 73,000 CDN/year. Well, I don't think I am paid much more than she/he is. And if I am freeing up the MD so he/she can do other things then NP's are way underpaid!
DMR- I admire you coming out with that observation $34/hr hour is a lot and yes you are correct many Americans do not make that kind of money. I know a lot of nurses say that is not enough money but I wonder how many would admit living above their means? I am the first to admit that I tend to over spend and I sought a financial counselor to get my finances together and to see the money I wasted was a trip. I can't speak for others. But what is enough if nurses were making 60$ it still wouldn't be enough. I just budget my money carefully don't work fulltime I can see where I can make money. I had one of my old bosses tell me that you can make a small fortune in this profession and I believe it. It is up to you! I think it is merly perception not reality.
Being a NP isn't feasible for some of us! And they do not make all that money in some areas. The only nurse I know that can make 6 digits easy is a Certified nurse anesthesist (sp). They do pretty well. You really have to consider geographical location. In California 34$ is stretching it. In Ohio you can live pretty well! I know some will agrue but when you start working you will see. :-)
I know a lot of nurses say that is not enough money but I wonder how many would admit living above their means? I am the first to admit that I tend to over spend and I sought a financial counselor to get my finances together and to see the money I wasted was a trip. I can't speak for others. But what is enough if nurses were making 60$ it still wouldn't be enough.
Excellent point, and one I tried to make in my post (which I noticed that no one responded to). If your habit it to spend everything you make, it wouldn't matter if you made $100/hr. At the end of the month, you'd have the same amount of $$ left - none. For most of us, it's not our salary that kills us - it's our spending habits.
If someone can't live off $34/hr, the problem is their lifestyle and habits, NOT the money. I *WISH* I could make that kind of money, but because I've conditioned myself to not spend everything I make, I don't have to make that kind of money. When I started in the much-vaunted computer field in early 1995, my first contract was $15/hr - no benefits, no insurance, nothing. Just that straight hourly wage. And that was with a four-year degree.
OK, I have a big beef here. I'm currently in my first year of nursing, and I feel like I have to say something regarding nurses complaining about their pay.
Reading these boards, I just came across someone who said they make $34 an hour in Ontario, and they were telling someone that if they're looking to make money, go into accouting or something. THis just floored me!
$34 and hour!!!! How can you tell me that is not making money? Many many nurses who work in Ontario get WAY less than that.
I just really don't understand.
I think you need to understand JUST WHERE people live.
You live in a socialized society where your medical/retirement benefits are taken care of.
Here in the good old USA everything YOU pay for UNLESS you work for a government hospital which only supplies you with medical/retirement benefits
Here we receive a salary but out of that salary comes any household expenses, insurances-----must haves are home/life/auto/disabiliity/medical/dental/umbrella/professional, then there are the taxes, taxes, taxes. Don't forget childcare costs, food, clothing, college/university costs (very BIG costs here---no socialized sponsored educations), etc. etc.
Sooooooo add it all up and you will see that for the level of your responiblity and education you are being paid much LESS than the electrician, plumber, or anyone who comes to your home to perform a service that does NOT require life/death decisions.
I agree that you can make it on $34/hr in some places in the US
But did you not see my previous post about what it cost to live in the SF Bay area
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the cost of living is different everywhere. I just pulled out the classifieds a 3 bedroom 1 bath in one of the lesser desirable areas in the South SF bay area is $385,000. This is not a new home either.just renting a room in a house or apt is between$400-$800/month. In the town the hospital I work is located in you can't find a house for under $700,000 and that is likely a 30 yr old 3/2. I can't afford to live where I work.Most one bedroom apt rent for over $1000/mos, two bedrooms $1400/mos.
To have property with land in this area you either had to inherit it or are extremely weathly. I work with many people, mostly CNA's where multiple families live in one house. Or a whole family lives in one rented room.
It is really sad that Silicon Valley has all this technology and wealth but the people that are going to take care of these techies when they need health care can barely make ends meet. '
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I am not making this up. You would not be able to afford a house in this area. After paying rent and bills you would have no money to afford a down payment.
I know people that live beyond their means but they aren't the ones making $34/hr. They are ones making $100,000 /year+
Here are a few lines from a joke that are all to true
You know you are from Silicon Valley when...
You make $100,000 a year, yet still can't find a place to live.
Your friends just bought a $500,000 fixer-upper.
I can see that what you are saying is true but what I am saying is true too.
I am glad to be in America, able to speak what I feel. I am grateful to be able to pursue my dreams, go to college(no matter the degree). I am grateful I have 2 healthy children who are able to have an education...for which every child should be entitled to! I love my career, I love to help others! I am thankful to have the clothes on my back, clean water to drink, a roof over my head (unlike some of the pt's. I care for). Yes I agree in many instances the nursing profession gets the short end of the stick. But, look around at our society as a whole.....we need to appreciate the haves, instead of the things for which we do not have. We have a horrible world out there these days guys, I was never told in school I would make millions. I know my mom didn't. Nurses are suppose to be the humanitarians, the ones that cross the boarders and do not judge. Think about the people we are serving and caring for...I think we are pretty lucky!
Tilleycs . . .. just logged on this morning and started reading and I did read and enjoy your "tongue-in-cheek" post.
I tend to agree with Tilleycs, mljrn and the original poster. My husband has been a seasonal worker (farmer and logger) since we got married and I was a stay at home mom (which I loved). But we struggled every winter and worked most of the summer just to catch up again and then struggled in the winter again. I went back to school for my RN when my kids were all in school. After graduating, we felt positively wealthy. We saved and bought the kids a computer. We saved and refinished our hardwood floors and put carpet in another room. Bought a car. Sent the kids to football camp and horse camp in the summer . . all things we could not afford to do without me working.
I think this debate has more to do with why our cost of living is so high rather than with wages. In December I have property tax payments due, two car registrations ($250 and $425 - we live in California!) AND Christmas. We are overtaxed. Our car insurance is ridiculous. My electric bill is over $200 and we don't heat our house with electricity. Etc . . .
Of course we could move to a place where the cost of living is less and actually we would in a minute except that would mean moving our kids away from their grandparents, which would be a terrible thing to do to all of us.
I agree with the "glass half full" comment. Even though things are excessively and stupidly costly, I'm grateful for how much money I make.
kimmicoobug
586 Posts
I thought that once I graduated my financial problems would be over...not the case. Now, I worry about being placed on call and I need that money to pay my bills (I make 19.89 an hour). One week I only worked 16 hours and this was at a full time. So, because of having weeks like this since I have started, my utilities have had to wait, my car payment is consistently one month behind and I really have to ration my grocery money. It really sucks. Of course, I choose to work at this facility that seems overstaffed, but we have really good ratios and the ratios are even going down again (currently 4 on days, 4 on eves, and 5-8 on nights...I think on nights they are dropping it to six).