Texas ADN / Paramedic Pay

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Alright,

First I would like to make it clear that I am not entering into nursing for the pay, nor am I suggesting anyone else is. I am simply trying to become informed so I may make a better decision when it comes time to job hunt. We all choose to enter nursing as a passion, however the pay does play a factor in our lives.

I am currently certified as a Licensed Paramedic (Associates Degree in EMS) and will be graduating from a nursing program this spring with an ADN. Obviously, all my experience is strictly in the field as a Paramedic. As a brand spanking new ADN right out of school, and considering my experience as a Paramedic (if it counts), what would be a reasonable hourly pay / yearly pay to ask for?

Also, while I do not mind working in a hospital at all - I prefer working in the field. What alternative areas are there? I have heard about the oil field, cruise ships, travel nurses, and flight nurses. Anything I may be missing? I have a family, so time away from home is a factor.

I would like to thank each of you for your time!

C.Nowlin

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Hospital pay : $24/hr + if u land an ER Job. Maybe less if its on a floor (this is just midwest rates- idk what Texas pay rates are.

I don't know any prehospital RNs so I can't even guess for u.

Also... Money is very important and ain't nothing wrong wanting to go from medic to RN. The medics I know make $12-16/hr. the RNs are making $10-15/hr more depending on shift differentials, weekend option, or resource pay rate.

RNs are paid well and now u will be too.

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libran1984,

Thank you for your quick reply! Any, and all, assistance is greatly appreciated!

As I have already mentioned, I have my Licensed Paramedic (Associates Degree in EMS) and will be graduating with my ADN this Spring. I am also a Lead Instructor for the AHA in ACLS, PALS, and BLS thus those certifications are always current. I am not sure how much value a hospital will place on these certifications - if any. Would it be told bold to seek around $28.50 per hour or $60,000 a year minimum? Granted I have loads of experience in the field but zero in a hospital.

My second question would be how to properly go about asking for the amount of pay I seek. I have often heard that the first person to give an amount loses. I do not want to be weeded out just because I gave an amount too high or low. Lastly, I would not be apposed to returning back to school for my BSN but I would rather have a hospital offer to reimburse me. Do I bring this up in an interview?

We all have that dream company we want to work for, as do I, and I really don't want to blow my shot but nor do I want to be underpaid for what I am worth.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

As an LPN, I work in a level III (non-trauma) ER and as a licensed personnel I'm also certified in PALS, ACLS, BLS, and also TB testing. Those extra certs will not help ur pay grade. Potentially, if u get ur CEN and CPEN right after u pass boards u may be able to command a higher rate.

My hospital, sadly, does not offer higher wages for the CEN nor CPEN. They also do not count years of medic experience in relation to ur nursing ability (but that is just my hospital- I know nothing about how other hospitals count medic-rn exp)

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

To go about asking for a higher rate, it's very difficult as I understand it. HR will be the entity dictating your pay and every hospital has a grid / sliding pay scale based on years of nursing experience and education. Since you will not be talking to the manager who absolutely loved you, the HR person will have no problem saying "take it or leave it" and ADNs are a dime a dozen now.

I'm just thankful when I graduate next year my dept managers have expressed heavy interest in keeping me as an ADN RN based on my current LPN performance.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I can tell you with a fair amount of certainty, you will not have a problem reaching your $60k / year. The shift differentials alone will boost you near to or over $28/hr.

My hospital gives $3.75/hr after 1430 and after 2300 it bumps up to a flat $5.00/hr extra. Weekends are an additional 20% more on your base rate. If you land a weekend option position at a hospital like mine, you work every weekend but make an additional 40% on top of ur base pay as long as you work ur scheduled weekend.

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