That DREAMY First Check!

[Williss2]

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!

[NursingAgainstdaOdds]

I put every cent into bills, and still got a shut-off notice, a threat from the daycare that they were gonna boot my son for non-payment, and an eviction notice. 8 weeks in, and we're still in the negative every pay period before I get my check.

[leslie :-D]

i saved like crazy for a house.

we bought one directly across the street from a historic cemetary.

my first job after graduating, was a hospice nurse.

living so close to a cemetary, made me feel right at home.

there's one tombstone (perfectly visualized from my bedrm window) that has my dh's name on it, my dtr's birthday and my maiden name.

kinda creepy.

leslie

[Sassybottom]

I was so excited about my first check -I had grand plans!

But then after taxes, union dues, health insurance, etc. it turned out to be kind of pitiful

For some reason it seems like I make a decent hourly wage however when I get my paycheck the total always seems kind of low. However, I am happy I am making anything at all. I was unemployed for over a year. And, now when I go out to eat I can order a drink, an appetizer, and dessert if I want - instead of just ordering a meal and water. I also have money to join a yoga studio and can buy as much fresh fruit as I want.

[Cindy1008RN]

Upon reflection, I think that I went to the grocery store and bought anything and everything that I wanted. Plenty of fresh fruit and veggies. Yes, that was fun to me because I was so tired of trying to stretch what was left over after bills to get enough food. My dh and I made the decision for me to stay at home to raise my five kids. Please know that I am not in any way knocking those that must work. With my dh being active duty, the money was just not there to pay for daycare. By the time I went to work, we were eating beans and rice three days a week.

I love nursing, and I know that one day in the very near future, I will be working full time again. My children are getting older, eat more food, and three are only a couple of years away from college.

[AprilRNhere]

My first check will be next week. We're going out to eat at an expensive restaurant...and using the rest to catch up on bills. Not what I dreamed about the last 2 years...but it's better than late fees lol.

[gt4everpn, BSN, RN]

Well, I just go my first check as a LPN, 3 wks ago, it was in the neighborhook of $1100, but where I work I get paid weekly! so that figure is split in half, anyway, I went back to school shopping, u know clothes, gave my mum $150, gave another $150 to church, ate out... went more shopping..., put some in savings, wish I put more though, paid school tuition, went shopping again... the list continues...

[Skeletor]

gave my mum $150, gave another $150 to church

Those are two thoughtful and generous acts on your part, that's awesome of you.

[nurseangel47]

I'd give anything to be able to bring in even a part time nursing salary! Due to temporary mental/emotional ?instability? due to not being on the correct combo of antidepressants for bipolar disorder and not being able to cut it at the moment from being too burned out with nursing in general....I can honestly say that I'd love to be able to put an entire tank of gas in my car, buy whatever I need/want from even a discount store of groceries, go shopping for much needed clothing for fall/winter, even at a walmart or kohl's, buy a new novel, right off the shelf of a bookstore, not a used one, start on christmas shopping for needed items for immediate family members in the same financial crunch as myself. That about covers it.

So...when each shift is a challenge to get thru, you nurses out there working right now, not only RAWK! .... you can imagine yourselves on my end of the life span at the moment....working for minimum wage, part time due to life....physical and mental problems...never thought I'd be here so sooon! Plan for it. That rainy day does come eventually. I only wish I'd saved each and every paycheck those twenty years as a nurse, put some by for this time I'd going thru at the moment!

[prinsessa]

When I graduate and start making money, I plan on paying off credit cards and saving money for a new house. I will probably celebrate by going out for a nice dinner with my family (maybe sushi ) but I won't go on a huge shopping spree. I have just wanted our own house for so long that I can't see spending money on anything else. Once we get the house we will probably buy some new furniture though

[OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN]

My first, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, etc................. nursing checks are going to be deposited right into our line of credit that will be maxed out by the time I'm done school!! No splurges here!

(Well, maybe I'll take $400 from the first one and me, DH and our two kids can each have $100 to spend any way we like)

But that's all!!

[SaderNurse05, BSN, RN]

I bought a Dooney and Burke Purse

Me too!!! First and last, but it was the principle of the thing.

[RNDreamer]

I currently have $0 credit card debt and don't plan on having any by the time I graduate (I learned my lesson the first time!). I also have a nice chunk of change in my savings account. ...There are so many things I would love to do with my first check, but realistically (sp?), I will probably use the first paycheck to buy myself some nice outfits and a purse, then during the next so year or so put at least 2 of the 4 checks per month into my savings account for a down payment on a condo or co-op...all while paying off student loans and putting money into a retirement fund