maggijo

I just accepted a job at Children's as a graduate nurse, and YES, there's a BSN differential.

How hard is it for a GN to get a job in St. Louis? I keep hearing that it's getting increasingly difficult for new grads to find jobs because of the economy. How can I improve my odds of getting a job? I have a previous degree and work experience, no healthcare experience, and I will graduate with a BSN. Any thoughts/advice? THANKS!

In terms of reputable schools, Maryville U. is way up there in terms of NCLEX scores (most recent: 96%) and good reputation for their BSN program. Something to consider.

Yeah, StL is cheap compared to other cities, but under 100k for a nice house?? Where? I would think these houses are not located in high quality school districts.

I have 2 children and personally, I do NOT recommend starting clinicals one week after giving birth! I could barely walk, much less think straight, one week after having a baby. Take a semester off, enjoy your new baby, and start up again when the dust settles a little. Congratulations, BTW!

Do you know if you have to have seniority to be hired for a weekend option job? Also, do weekenders qualify for benefits (I know PRN don't)? What is considered the "weekend": Fri., Sat., and Sun.? Thanks!

Dumb question from a nursing student: does this mean that it would be +$5.00 for weekend nights?

Thank you for addressing this. I was on bedrest in the hospital for 4 weeks (additional 6 weeks at home), and I saw other patients on the antepartum wing ONE other time, there were NO group activities/movies/crafts, and I was depressed, lonely, and miserable. I would suggest access to some sort of counseling for the patients. Not once was I offered the opportunity to talk to someone about what a scary situation my baby and I were in. In retrospect, I realize how seriously lacking the focus on the psychological/emotional side of bedrest was at this particular hospital. I felt like I was in jail, and it doesn't have to be this way. Anyway, thanks again for this thread.

Where do you live?? I KNOW the salary's nothing like that here in MO.

I'm the original poster. I'm pretty sure of the base pay for new grads in the St. Louis area. I am most interested in hearing how much more people earn as they gain more experience. In other words, once I'm in the profession for 5 years or so, what kind of increase from the $18 or so/hour might I expect? Thanks.

Sorry for the tacky question, but I'm curious: What is your salary? How many years have you been working as an RN? What MO city do you live in? What area do you work in? Thanks!

I wonder if there is an updated salary chart? If anyone knows, please let me know. Thanks!

New grads make $18.50/hr. in St. Louis, MO area. You can get a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in a good school district for approx. 200-250k, depending on the part of town. This base salary is appalling, in my opinion. I can't believe some of the salaries on here. So much higher than what I will be looking at after graduation.

Can someone tell me where I can find that chart I saw on here a few months ago that ranks all of the states for RN salaries (taking cost of living into consideration)? Thanks!

Thanks for you helpful response about BJC. Did you have a say in what shifts you worked and in what area of the hospital, or did you have to take what you were given? Also, when did you approach BJC about helping out with tuition? Before entering school or once you were in? I begin in the fall of this year and I'm wondering when to do this. Thanks!