RN's how much do you make here in Utah?

[blueyezz71]

Nurse for 14 yrs., 28.00/hr/48,000.00 annually.

Thought this would be interesting.

[Surgery182]

The problem with nursing in Utah has two parts. Part 1: there is almost no competition among the hospital systems. IHC is a monopoly and can therefore pay nurses whatever they want, because where else are they going to go; Universtity Hospital who will just basically match what IHC pays. That leads to Part 2: nurses accept the low wages because they refuse to move to another state where they can make more money. If nurses would move to where they get paid what they are worth, IHC would be forced to increase their pay.

[tfleuter, BSN, RN]

I guess it comes back to the bigger picture then. If someone has found an area that they love so much, that moving is not an option, then I would think the sacrifice in pay is understandable. At the end of the day, there are things that are a lot more important then what's on your pay stub. I moved here with my family 4 years ago (after growing up in the midwest) and now my husband never wants to leave. He loves the skiing and other outdoor opportunities here. Me, I'm open to moving just about anywhere else, and earning potential along with COL would be a big factor in the decision, but that's only because I haven't found any area as of yet that I'm particularly attached too In the end though, I would rather live somewhere that I loved and accept a lower pay, then live somewhere I didin't particularly care for and earn more.

[Surgery182]

You have some good points...it seems like the majority of people here want it both ways though. They want to stay where they like living and get paid more (who wouldn't). I don't see an increase in wages ever happening though because most nurses here are complacent with the low wages in return for living in a good city. So until the time comes when nurses here will refuse to work for low wages, they'll be making far less than what they deserve.

[CASTLEGATES]

SLC is notorious for price fixing and collaboration between the hosptals. I understand they got caught at it at least once. Some east coast places get you 37 an hour staff (non agency) and agency in SLC is paying in the 20's? Cost of living isn't an excuse, either. When I was out west, cost of living wasn't much different than east coast.