That DREAMY First Check!

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Hello,

I am a second year nursing student. When it seems like I can't see the light at the end of the graduating tunnel, I dream about what I am gonna do with my first RN check. There are so many things I wanna do. What did some of you do with that Dreamy First Check? Sometimes, I wanna say that I am just gonna shop til' I drop, sign up for a years worth of massages to get rid of the school stress. Put the down on a nice new car. But did you all blow your check or just went straight to bills. I think I'm gonna frame mines!

Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

My first check back in 1978 was for $7 an hour! You do the math.

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Please tell me that was for a one week check....1400 just does not seem like that much money to me anymore :uhoh3: kinda sad when your cost of living requires that much money. I remember when we had a minimum wage jobs and made ends meet. Now I bring home about 4500 every 2 weeks and still wonder where it's going. I don't even remember what I did with my first nursing paycheck. Heck I don't remember what I did with my last paycheck.

Ok, I have to ask...what type of nursing are you doing to earn that much? I'm always looking for ideas :)

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I did little splurges. When I graduated I bought myself some opal earrings. Later, working as a RN, I bought some pearl earrings to go with my new uniform. I'm about to purchase a big screen lcd tv for the living room and get hooked up with satellite. Not only can I afford that now, but since I'm done with school, I have more time for goofing off.

Splurging is good, once in a while, but saving is important. I advise anyone to participate in a retirement account of some kind regardless of their age. And don't invest the bare minimum required, put in a little more and increase it with each pay increase. I also don't make major purchases unless I have the cash and I don't drive a new or newer car. My cc balance gets paid off each month and it is HEAVEN to not be in debt (house payments aside).

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Hey Cyberkat,

Please allow me these last two semesters of dreamy, unrealistic bliss. Sometimes when I am reallly stressed about school, thinking about the future helps me to get through.

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

Wow - and I thought I made a s^load of $$$ - but it sure looks like

Kyrshamarks has it really going on!

PLEASE **PLEASE * PLEASE let us all know how you clear that kind of money.

Clearing 4500 every 2 weeks - even in a minimum tax bracket of say 15% Federal (that is magical thinking!), NO state tax (if you live in that lucky state), and the 7% contribution to the Feds - so, that is approx 22 % of your gross that you "pay" at a minimum.

Now lets see.

You say make $30 hour and you work EVERYDAY!

Thats 12 hours x 14 days = 168 hours a pay period.

Thats 80 hours of REGULAR pay.

Thats 88 hours of OT pay.

So 80 x 30 = 2400

So 88 x 45 = 3960

----------------------

TOTAL 6360

less 22% 1400

For a NET of $4960 every 2 weeks.

Please do tell, what kind of nurse are you? CRNA? Or other advance practice nurse?

Do you have the best accountant in the world (in jail does not count)?

Anyway, any help that you can provide would be appreciated. I sure am tired of paying no less than 28% Federal, 7% State and 7% FICA. My accountant is a great guy and samrt as a whip, but... Heck, I get all happy when I clear anything over a $1000 a week!

Please help your fellow nurses!

Thanks!

;)

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Specializes in ER, Medicine.

I paid toward my school loans and other bills. Nothing really "fun." Well, the part that I put into my bank account was fun. :-)

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Specializes in Staff nurse.

I handed it over to my husband, who paid my way thru school. During my pre-reqs all four of us were in college at the same time! My husband's job paid his tuition, and my sons both worked and went full-time. I wasn't employed. DH did most of the house work and cooking in addition to his full-time job and church responsibilities so I could study, study, study.

It was something I wanted to do, he felt weird taking it...and we celebrated with dinner and some new scrubs for me that weren't white!!

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

hi,

From a new grad to you, SAVE YOUR MONEY!! I just graduated in May, got my first check, and as tempting as it is to buy a bunch of junk i really do not need, I am saving and will be buying my first home soon.

Don't waste it on a new over priced car cause you will never get that money back. Invest that money or buy realestate ( if you do not already own a home of course) and hopefully you will either get your money back when you sell or best case make more money.

I regret that I have worked full time for the past 11 years and have lhardly any money saved up to show for it... Don't be stupid like me, save your money for soemthing that will be worth the money.

Sweetooth

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this post made me laugh. i have promised my men (hubby, 15 and 6 yr. old sons) that we would get a john deere riding mower for helping mom out so much.

and a slushy machine... but thats a whole different post.

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Specializes in LTC, HomeCare.
I handed it over to my husband, who paid my way thru school. During my pre-reqs all four of us were in college at the same time! My husband's job paid his tuition, and my sons both worked and went full-time. I wasn't employed. DH did most of the house work and cooking in addition to his full-time job and church responsibilities so I could study, study, study.

It was something I wanted to do, he felt weird taking it...and we celebrated with dinner and some new scrubs for me that weren't white!!

That was nice of you, ofcourse he deserved the check,lol

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