The 1st check as an rn....yay!!! Or nay!!

Nurses New Nurse

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hi lovies!!

i was just wondering, what did you guys do with your first check?? and how did it feel when you received it?? was it like.."oh yes sooo worth it!!!":lol2: or was it more..."blaaahhhhh":crying2:...

i wanted to know because throughout nursing school i've been working as a medical receptionist and making $17/hr pays the bills but its pretty "blah":yawn:...if/when i get hired at my facility as a rn (when i get my licsence)...the starting range is between $32-$34....:yeah:

when i get my 1st check as an rn i want a new wardrobe:monkeydance:...no more sweats and tees for me!!!! then of course save to buy a house since i'm sure taxes are going to rape me since i have no kids, i own nothing, and i'm 23 years old.....

so.....what did you guys do with your hefty or non hefty check???? :hpygrp:

I just started a job as a new RN and i'm starting out at 17.25/hr.... my first paycheck was only for a week and it was way better than what i was used too. I just got my second paycheck, and i was amazedddd. Haha.

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Specializes in OB, Peds, Med Surg and Geriatric Nsg.

When I got my 1st paycheck, I was truly amazed! It was 10x more than a nurse in the Philippines gets paid for. I work 32hr/wk and get paid $24.50. Unfortunately, it was a total blah since I ended up paying 2 of my sister's tuition for the whole school year in a private school.

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Specializes in Mom/Baby.

I've got waaaay too many bills for a yay! :crying2:

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Specializes in Operating Room.
Seriously - I want to know myself! At 36 hours a week - that's over SEVENTY-FIVE grand a year - folks with MBAs don't necessarily make that right out of school, and that's about what an NP makes for starters!

Most likely high salaries are due to the fact that these people live in places with a high cost of living. It all "evens" out. I realized this when I was doing some salary research. New grads in my area make $21/hr but our cost of living is extremely low. You can get a decent house in the 100-150k range easily! This was BEFORE the recession too, so imagine how low the prices are now.

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RN Ashley $17.25/hr??? Where do you work if you don't mind me asking? We start off new grad RNs with no experience at 21/hr.

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RN Ashley $17.25/hr??? Where do you work if you don't mind me asking? We start off new grad RNs with no experience at 21/hr.

That's what they're paying in my area too (SW MO). $0.50 differential for BSN, $3ish for nights, and $4 for opting out of benefits, and $.65 in previous raises at my old job puts me at $25ish...otherwise I'd be hanging out in the $17's. Sucks.

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Wow and my girls think they have it hard. Im a Director and my staff nurses on nights get $21 base pay plus $7 for night diff and I can't remember but like $3 or $4 for weekend diff. They are always complaining that they are under paid (not that I don't agree with them) its just they are really lucky considering!

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
sunshine9403RN...I work at Valley Hospital in NJ...pretty expensive place to live but luckily I still live with mom...and she's not getting rid of me any time soon hehehehe....

Geeeezzz Maeva...$40/hr...where do you work??

I guess our sleepless nights of studying...dark circles under the eyes...and nights of feeling helpless does pay off....I can't wait for my 1st check!!!!!

At my hospital in NC, one can make $40 an hour if you work straight weekend nights. Thats the only way you can make that kind of money around here.

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At my hospital in NC, one can make $40 an hour if you work straight weekend nights. Thats the only way you can make that kind of money around here.

Now that quote I'm familiar with. I actually wouldn't have minded that schedule and had I not come back in the Air Force I would have pushed for it. Not a bad gig if you don't have kids and I would have been in grad school at some point anyway.

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When I got my 1st paycheck, I was truly amazed! It was 10x more than a nurse in the Philippines gets paid for. I work 32hr/wk and get paid $24.50. Unfortunately, it was a total blah since I ended up paying 2 of my sister's tuition for the whole school year in a private school.

It's posts like this that help keep some of the lousy pay in perspective - you gave me a new appreciation for the small salary I made as a civilian and I honestly thank you for it. :redpinkhe

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Exactly, "if/when" you get a job. What makes you so sure your starting pay will be this high?

Sorry, I haven't read all the replies.

Hi itsmejuli,

I've worked at the hospital for 5 years in another position, what makes me so sure that this is the starting pay is speaking to experienced and non experienced nurses in various units....I've heard as low as $32-$36....would I bet my life on it no...but I also doubt 15+ nurses are lying...and living in NJ this pay is pretty norm...cost of living here is ridiculous for absolutely no reason lol...at least that's my opinion...

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Specializes in Home Care.
Hi itsmejuli,

I've worked at the hospital for 5 years in another position, what makes me so sure that this is the starting pay is speaking to experienced and non experienced nurses in various units....I've heard as low as $32-$36....would I bet my life on it no...but I also doubt 15+ nurses are lying...and living in NJ this pay is pretty norm...cost of living here is ridiculous for absolutely no reason lol...at least that's my opinion...

Lucky you :) Good luck!

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