RNs, does your salary let you live cormfortably?

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How are you RNs does your salary let you live cormfortably. What is the median salary now. States such as NY and CA thank you!

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Would any of you consider becoming an NP or any of the other advanced practice

Sure, but not for the money. Not all advanced practice nurses make more money than staff nurses. It depends on the particular type of role, place of employment, hours worked, local job market, etc. Be sure to investigate the local job market for whatever specialty role you are considering before investing in a graduate education.

For example, in some communities, there are local universities with large NP programs that produce a lot of new NP's. In those communities, there is an "over-supply" of NP's, jobs are scarce, and NP salaries are relatively low. In other communities, there are fewer NP's and more opportunities for good, well-paying jobs.

A lot of people with graduate degrees make less money than staff nurses who are willing to work some night shifts, weekend, and/or overtime. So, be sure that whatever role you pick for your advanced education is one that you really want to do even if the pay is not as high as you hope -- and research the local job market before you invest.

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Are you serious? Theres 2 million nurses and if they can find a job theyll make the moey they expected. But i guess its still good to get the education so you can be superior to your RNs. Is it possible to have the education of an NP but work as a staff nurse but seem superior to your rn staff

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

You will find that the education does NOT make you superior to the staff in a clinical setting. It is your ability that is relied upon.

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Specializes in CVICU, Obs/Gyn, Derm, NICU.
Are you serious? Theres 2 million nurses and if they can find a job theyll make the moey they expected. But i guess its still good to get the education so you can be superior to your RNs. Is it possible to have the education of an NP but work as a staff nurse but seem superior to your rn staff

LOL ....it's only a masters degree ....something many of us have. Let's not blow things way out of perspective here

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haha your right but i meant DNP. but its still the same title at the end. And i guess its more important on how well you do your job than what title you hold.

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In SF Bay area, starting salary is around $50K to 70K. After 4 to 5 years, most all RN's are making over $100K.

Even with the high cost of housing, you can still live comfortably.

But, as I'm sure you're aware, new grads are having a hard time finding jobs.

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Yes hopefully it changes in a few years

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It's not about being "superior" to "your" (???) RNs, it's about having a different role. Being an advanced practice nurse (whether Master's- or doctorally-prepared) doesn't make you superior to or better than your nursing colleagues. (And, as llg noted, you don't necessarily make more money.) We all work together to meet clients' needs, and every member of the team has a necessary function.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

People assume that if you are in California it means you make good money. I make $22.22/hr in the hospital. The average house in my area is in the $250k-$300K range and not anything special. If my husband did not work and have his own business we could not afford to own a home.

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Im glad thay you guys were able to buy your own house. As long as im finacially stable im ok. I dont need the 80k car or a mansion.

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People assume that if you are in California it means you make good money. I make $22.22/hr in the hospital. The average house in my area is in the $250k-$300K range and not anything special. If my husband did not work and have his own business we could not afford to own a home.

Yes, that is certainly true. The SF Bay area is highly unionized, hence, the high salary. The Los Angeles area, which has probably 10x more hospitals, pays considerably less. And, the rural areas of Calif pay even less.

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