salary/pay with BSN in Charlotte, NC

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Hello,

I'm looking to make a career change into nursing from a non nursing field by doing an ABSN. I've calculated the cost of the education and am OK with that. I'm concerned though, that I won't make enough in nursing to cover my fixed expenses such as mortgage etc.

What could an ~36 year old adult expect to make right after getting an ABSN and going into the nursing world? I am interested in rates in the Charlotte, NC area- ie, Presbyterian, CMC, or Private Practice.

I might be completely crazy but I'd want to earn ~$30/hr. Is that do-able in any way?

If not, I'd rather know now so I can make some decisions to make this do-able. But, having a realistic guage of what I'll make is critical for me to do this.

I appreciate your candid help on this one!

Also- any chance of me landing a job in critical care?

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Specializes in Step-down ICU.

if you have no prior nursing experience I would expect to make $20/hr @ CMC/Carolinas HealthCare, and $21/hr at Presby/Novant. Both have a $4 night diff, and weekend diff of $7-$8--I think. I would NOT expect to make $30 bucks an hour. There is no pay difference for BSNs.

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Thanks for responding, Spoiled1! Follow up question though. If you work nights it sounds like entry level pay with a BSN is $24/$25 per hour. And nights would be $27/$29.

- how long until your pay can increase? Wouldn't there be more specialised nurses making a lot more? (critical care, nicu, ER, OR, etc?) how do you get into these jobs and what is the pay progression?

- how many hours per year is a full time nurse paid for? 2080 (40x52) or 1872 (36x52)

thanks again!

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Specializes in Step-down ICU.
Thanks for responding, Spoiled1! Follow up question though. If you work nights it sounds like entry level pay with a BSN is $24/$25 per hour. And nights would be $27/$29.

- how long until your pay can increase? Wouldn't there be more specialised nurses making a lot more? (critical care, nicu, ER, OR, etc?) how do you get into these jobs and what is the pay progression?

- how many hours per year is a full time nurse paid for? 2080 (40x52) or 1872 (36x52)

thanks again!

You are correct--entry level (ADN or BSN) nights= $24/$25/hour. Weekend nights= $27-$29/hour. There are straight weekender positions that pay $32/hr. The clinical ladder is another way to raise your pay rate or the yearly performance reviews. You can always pick up additional shifts and there is often a $10/hr critical need incentive when they are short staff. From what I know of the hospitals in Charlotte they do not pay you extra to be in the ICU, ER, OR etc. Most of the nurses are paid for 36 hours a week= 36x 52, but of course this would vary if you work over time or have to say late, etc, etc. but for general purposes 36x52 is the norm.

The best way to get into these jobs is to apply for them online via the websites. I know that Novant is recruiting pretty strongly right now for new grads and nurse positions in general. Both hosptial systems have internship programs for new grads interested in critical care. You can't work at CMC's ER as a new grad (last I heard). Hope this helps some. :)

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thank you! being a complete newbie here could you help with a couple of what I'm sure are super basic questions to someone already in the field?

- clinical ladder?

- straight weekender? (they only work sat/sun unless they pick up extra shifts? and would the extra shifts be at $32 or the norm for the shift picked up?)

- do you get overtime pay bumps ie, hours after 36 in a week are at time and a half?

thanks again- I really appreciate your help!!!

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- clinical ladder?

- straight weekender? (they only work sat/sun unless they pick up extra shifts? and would the extra shifts be at $32 or the norm for the shift picked up?)

- do you get overtime pay bumps ie, hours after 36 in a week are at time and a half?

thanks again- I really appreciate your help!!!

The normal yearly raise is only like 2% so it won’t help too much.

A weekender is required to work every weekend of the year expect for maybe two. They only get the weekend pay on the weekend. Depending on the hospital, the weekend is considered Fri, Sat, Sun. The weekender normally only works 24 hours/week.

Overtime is paid after 40 hours, not 36. If you work an extra 12 hours, then only 8 of those hours will be overtime.

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