My co-worker current earns $19.80 per hour working a second job (as a factory hand). I work in the private sector for $14.00 per hr as a registered nurse. I am in-charge of 5 staff/22 patients per duty. A registered nurse working for the public district health board nets $25.00 per hr plus weekend and nocte penal rates. Their workload can range from 6-8 patients per shift. On-top of my poor hourly rate I owe the goverment for training-a huge sum of $16.000. :imbar.