RN salary expectations

Published

How much can you realistically expect to make as a new RN? Is 22$ pushing it. It is not about the money, but i do need money to buy stuff. Or is 22$ to low?

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
How much can you realistically expect to make as a new RN? Is 22$ pushing it. It is not about the money, but i do need money to buy stuff. Or is 22$ to low?

Depends on where you live. TX or Southern or Midwest US, you're doing pretty darn well for a new grad. But if that's your rate and you're in NY, CA, or any major metro area, you're getting screwed.

Seriously, you have to factor in cost of living into whatever salary you get. Areas with lower costs of living (e.g., TX, the South) generally have lower salaries. Higher cost of living means salaries have to keep up to compete...but that doesn't mean you'll get more money in your pocket though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
How much can you realistically expect to make as a new RN? Is 22$ pushing it. It is not about the money, but i do need money to buy stuff. Or is 22$ to low?

I'm an RPN (what you in the US refer to as an LPN/Diploma...and, I earned waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more per hour when I was a new grad than what you're expecting. You're selling yourself way too short! You can make $28-30/hr to start as a new RN... especially if you're able/willing to travel. DO NOT SETTLE! If I I was done my RN I would be exploiting it for the fullest $ per hour I could get. You're not being greedy, your skills are valuable and you deserve to be paid appropriately!

attachment.php?attachmentid=23694&stc=1

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Back in my day new grads got top pay of $5 hr, added bonus $5 a week for BSN, but this was 1977, my first RN job in Boston. I was just coming off min wage of $1.60/hour as a cna, so I was thrilled. Currently in LA area $40 + for my years experience, but union places are up to $50+ an hour for those with senior experience. As other comments said it depends on your area.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It is all about location, location, location.

That is perfectly correct, the standards of living depends on the state

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It depends on the area. Location and area of expertise. Oh, and experience. First LTC job paid $21. Had another, easier LTC job paying $18/hr. My first acute care job paid $23/hr. Now I get $26, but don't see much of a difference on my cheques because more is taken out in taxes, and retirement. I graduated in '13 with an ASN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hmm my mom works in Atlanta as an RN and makes a $36 an hour. I'm currently working as a Respiratory Therapist and I started at $31 an hour in Washington state. $22 is way too low for a registered nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Hmm my mom works in Atlanta as an RN and makes a $36 an hour. I'm currently working as a Respiratory Therapist and I started at $31 an hour in Washington state. $22 is way too low for a registered nurse.

OP never specified what type of area. The salaries you mentioned are in cities. If OP is in a rural area, particularly in the midwest, with a lower cost of living, $22 may indeed be adequate and in proportion. There is no blanket too high or too low definition.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Depends on where you are. I just graduated a week ago and was just offered a job at 26 an hr in Ohio.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm in the Midwest, medium sized city, LCOL. Hospitals start at $24/hr base pay.

Also in the midwest, started in a medium sized city making $24.75. It was quite the commute for me so I started working at one of the local, rural hospitals and they pay the same starting wages ($24.75)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.

I started out at $22 an hour in Virginia as a new grad in ER.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU, Oncology/hospice.

I am in the NE TN region, hospital pay for new grads in my area is 17.70/hr now, it was 18.60/hr when I graduated in 2014, in private practice RN pay ranges from starting 16/hr-17/hr. The hospital pay is base pay without any diffs, such as night shift, ICU, etc. Night shift in my area adds $1/hr and critical care adds 50 cents/hr. I personally feel like the area as a whole is underpaid for the education, and demands of the job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wonder if we'll need another dozen, two dozen posts that tell the OP wages depend on where he lives before he will comment on where he lives?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion