Salary question??

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Ive been doing a lot of reading on this site and noticed that alot of people complain about pay. However, I read classifieds, sallary.com, and testimonials on here as well that are saying 50-60 grand a year. While your not getting rich, this seems like a pretty decent salary, espically when it only requires 2 years of school to become an RN.Anyone explain?

I just don't have much sympathy. I have 3 people in my family who are nurses. One is my aunt who is supporting my uncle. My uncle is a preacher and doesn't make any income. My grandmother has been a nurse for forever and she still loves it. If you are tired of picking people up go into a different area of nursing, like the business side. Sorry to say it yes nurses can be fired, but Nursing IS one of the most secure jobs in the US at the moment. No job is 100% secure.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Nutmeg,

I would be able to respect your argument more if you had actually worked as a nurse! It is hard to take it seriously until you have done that. No offense intended, I just had to mention that.

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Nutmeg,

I would be able to respect your argument more if you had actually worked as a nurse! It is hard to take it seriously until you have done that. No offense intended, I just had to mention that.

That's fine and I may eat my words later, but it is hard to take any of your opinions on the other side of the spectrum (ie. business, computers, law) seriously, because most of you haven't done that. That is my point.

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Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.
Across most of the United States, ADN programs are more accessible and AFFORDABLE than BSN programs. A nurse can have all the education in the world and not have any bedside manner. I started at a BSN program and because of personal family issues, I had to come back home and finish at an ADN program. I do plan on going back for my BSN and Masters just because it would give me more options for advancement later in life.

Very true! Thinking about my class, there are two girls who are prob. the smartest in the class and have every skill down pat...except bedside manner....yet I think they will come along eventually and when they do watch out bc they will both be one heck of a nurse!

Oh and about ADN programs being more affordable...lol...true sometimes...at clinicals the other day I was talking to a girl who went to that hospital for nursing school and was set to receive a diploma, when she told me the cost of her program I almost choked! Her program was over 40k (plus books)! I thought my program was ridiculous! At 32k for my MN I thought I was being robbed but I have heard quite a few (on this site) in other states as well say that they paid that for an LPN! Crazy how schools can charge whatever they want just bc they know people will pay...we have a shortage of nurses but we sure dont make it very easy or affordable for people to go to school!

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
That's fine and I may eat my words later, but it is hard to take any of your opinions on the other side of the spectrum (ie. business, computers, law) seriously, because most of you haven't done that. That is my point.

But we have done nursing and I repeat: anyone who goes into nursing thinking that it's a guaranteed income needs to be aware of the truth. It's not.

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But we have done nursing and I repeat: anyone who goes into nursing thinking that it's a guaranteed income needs to be aware of the truth. It's not.

Like I said before, no job is 100% secure and no job has a guarenteed income. Out of all the jobs nursing is one with a lot of security and it has been named one of the top professions to go into. Also the job security is the top reason given in nursing recruitment.

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Here in New York City the starting salary for RN is at least $65K. However, income taxes and cost of living are very high. The good news is there are plenty of jobs around the city for the second part-time or full time job--if you don't mind working on understaffing unit and a fast-paced society. Hey, you don't even need to buy a car to go around the city.

just sharing my experience.

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I think that nursing is a great job. I also think the pay is ok but that is not why I am going into nursing. I worked in the military as a computer operator and I almost finished a degree in business. I then decided nursing is for me. In business you don't know if you will have your job tomorrow. Have you been watching the news? More and more jobs are being outsourced and people are losing all of their health benefits. My uncle who has worked for a finance company in New York for 19 years just got laid off because the company got bought out. That's right. Right before retirement. Not to mention you are lucky if you get a job for a nice business most of my friends from business school are stuck in positions like "manager of Sears" making 35-40k. :barf01: Even in computers it's hard to find a good job. And Law? Hahahah! As I look out my window I can see 4 lawyers on my street alone! No thank you. I will take the 50k and live comfortably in an apartment. I would just like to add I am a single mom so I don't have a husband to help. I know there are times when you hate your job. That happens in every career. It just drives me nuts when nurses complain about their job and say oh business is so much easier or law is better or computers is where the money is. I guess that is why they say don't go into nursing for money. If you think money is that easy to come by in other professions then please do us all a favor go back to school and try it for yourself b/c you only bring the morale of us who want to be good nurses down. /rant off

I would like to respectfully point out that you have MISSED my point entirely. When I mentioned other salaries or careers ie law/business, I was specifically speaking to the PHYSICAL aspects and longevity in the modern career of the RN as a point in this discussion. FURTHERMORE, I think that a strong case CAN be made for money being a motivater for many NOW going into the RN job market probably because of some of the things you listed (insecurity in other careers). Just by local observation/inquiry alone. I have mentored many new and experienced nurses into the critical care areas so I am exposed to many "coming in" who share their motivations with me. It is not your place to judge me. I do use this board for support when I've had a hard day and in most cases come away feeling better. This is called sharing. If we only share the positive; things would be rather one dimensional. I was merely bringing a different point to the discussion. I apologize if my posting brought you down.

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I would like to respectfully point out that you have MISSED my point entirely. When I mentioned other salaries or careers ie law/business, I was specifically speaking to the PHYSICAL aspects and longevity in the modern career of the RN as a point in this discussion. FURTHERMORE, I think that a strong case CAN be made for money being a motivater for many NOW going into the RN job market probably because of some of the things you listed (insecurity in other careers). Just by local observation/inquiry alone. I have mentored many new and experienced nurses into the critical care areas so I am exposed to many "coming in" who share their motivations with me. It is not your place to judge me. I do use this board for support when I've had a hard day and in most cases come away feeling better. This is called sharing. If we only share the positive; things would be rather one dimensional. I was merely bringing a different point to the discussion. I apologize if my posting brought you down.

Oh then it's my fault for misunderstanding you. I wasn't trying to attack you but I have read in other threads how some people wish they would have went into business etc. I'm sorry I misunderstood and I see the point you were making.

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Oh then it's my fault for misunderstanding you. I wasn't trying to attack you but I have read in other threads how some people wish they would have went into business etc. I'm sorry I misunderstood and I see the point you were making.

No worries, thank you for the kind reply:) Sometimes I CAN come off as negative. I try NEVER to vent at work and do use this message board for that release. I suppose I should thank you for the perspective. I NEED TO MEDITATE MORE; I LOVE MY JOB, I LOVE MY JOB------BUT SERIOUSLY, I DO LOVE MY JOB. I just wish my work was more facilitated by the powers that be. I am strong, don't get me wrong. I do try to be that pillar at work; but sometimes I fall down. You feel me?

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Very true! Thinking about my class, there are two girls who are prob. the smartest in the class and have every skill down pat...except bedside manner....yet I think they will come along eventually and when they do watch out bc they will both be one heck of a nurse!

Oh and about ADN programs being more affordable...lol...true sometimes...at clinicals the other day I was talking to a girl who went to that hospital for nursing school and was set to receive a diploma, when she told me the cost of her program I almost choked! Her program was over 40k (plus books)! I thought my program was ridiculous! At 32k for my MN I thought I was being robbed but I have heard quite a few (on this site) in other states as well say that they paid that for an LPN! Crazy how schools can charge whatever they want just bc they know people will pay...we have a shortage of nurses but we sure dont make it very easy or affordable for people to go to school!

FORTY GRAND for a diploma?? Good Lord. Duke is going to be just under that for a BSN!

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Like I said before, no job is 100% secure and no job has a guarenteed income. Out of all the jobs nursing is one with a lot of security and it has been named one of the top professions to go into. Also the job security is the top reason given in nursing recruitment.

Why do you think nursing offers such great job security? There are a lot of nursing positions out there that are vacant simply because no one wants them. Of course there is going to be security if you are willing to fill that slot, because there is no one else who will fill it. Nursing is secure largely because of turnover and nurses leaving the bedside. That leaves not enough nurses left to go around, which creates a "shortage".

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