what is the top rate of pay for an RN in the states?

[Guest505077]

Hi

what is the top rate of pay for an RN in the states? I know it varies depending where you work, but what would be a ballpark figure?

[GreyGull]

Life is about choices and you are letting you fear and prejudice make yours for you.

I have continued to lived in SF for many years by choice even though I could easily move somewhere else. I know the economic stressors. However, I do not believe being cautious when commuting, walking my former neighborhood (the Mission) or being aware of one's surrounding including those at work make me living in fear or prejudice.

But yes, I have known fear first hand and I also know the meaning of the word prejudice first hand. None of what you describe comes close.

I also don't go through life with blinders on and oblivious to what is going on or in denial either. Being an active part of the community to help those who aren't making the same wage as you and who know prejudice, fear and hardship first hand gives you a closer look at diversity and issues that are still present in our society and they will not go away with your insults toward those who have learned some valuable life lessons.

For the topic, money isn't always everything but it sure helps with the choices you can make.

[kalevra, BSN, RN]

But then you have to put into perspective the colleges in San Francisco. SF State is very expenive as is St. Mary's. UC Berkeley is not exactly cheap either but Berkeley does have many apartments to accomondate students which some of us who have had our college life in the past would not choose to live in. These are not your typical state universities. Many of the students are from other countries with a significant financial aide incentive along with high income families. Some are on scholarships. Some are head over heels in debt. Some drive cars which cost more than my first house. Those that go to city college where tuition is unbelievably cheap are probably living at home or from one of the lower income neighborhoods. San Francisco also has a few areas which are extremely poor, near toxic waste and plagued with violence. And even there it might be difficult to find a reasonable apartment when adjusted to income.

But yes it is possible to live in the city if you can get by with a small apartment and a bus pass. You also must remember the health insurance issues this city has with employers and those who work for small businesses. There are still a few rent controlled apartments like NYC has which some of the more fortunate might have. But, I can also tell you about living conditions in some neighborhoods like China Town or the Mission which the regular tourist will never see. There are some who think nothing of existing in a small "apartment" with several people and one community bathroom on the floor for 6 - 10 apartments. Overall they are happy just to be where they are if they are with family or when they have no family but lots of friends sharing a building. But, these areas do not get as noticed as Bayview - Hunters Point which is also known as the "invisible majority".

SF has its share of random violent crime especially if you have to use MUNI. But, it is nothing like Oakland which just had a 3 year old gunned down. A lot of this has been happening lately. The gang members seem to be very unskilled with the use of a gun or very near-sighted when it comes to identifying their intended target. After awhile you get tired of hearing "mistaken identity" as if that is an excuse for killing someone.

For an $8000 gross, You'll probably take home $5000 depending on how much you are paying for insurance and withholding. State income tax is a bear here and the state is still broke. A two bedroom apartment will average $1800 -2400. ($3000 - 3500 if buying) Most places don't include electric, gas, water, sewer and trash collection. A car with insurance, $500. Parking $300 extra for rent and $250 at work. Sales tax was 9.5% and dropped to 8.5% but will rise again later this year. Vehicle registration is around $250/yr plus smog checks. Everything can be adjusted proportionately with a lower income and a lower cost of living area. Just 75 miles east the wages are half of what is made in SF with a lower cost of living.

Every metropolitan area has its ghettos and San Francisco is no different. Everyone takes the muni, college kids, the guy the runs the bodega, the waitress, everybody takes the muni in SF. I mean owning a car just doesnt makes sense if you live in the city. The cost of parking alone would kill you, not to mention the tickets you get.

Many of these college kids take out thousands of dollars in loans to pay for stuff out in the city it is not uncommon to pull out $60,000 for as little as 3 years. Even with Financial aid factored in, college kids do not live the Hollywood life, most hang out at free events or places with no cover charge. Get in early at Zeitgeist and you don't have to pay a cover charge, there's also the tamale lady in the outdoor area that sells cheap food. Whitewalls gallery has exhibits that are BYOB, people just hang out at night looking at art while getting plastered with cheap booze they bought from the liquor store across the street. Definitely not the glamorous life as seen on T.V, but they get by on the cheap.

Im not gonna lie some of the best times I had out in the city were at some very cheap places. If your a girl well, dudes buy you drinks or pay for entrance, dinner, ticket etc. Kinda works in the girls favor lol.

[kalevra, BSN, RN]

The big question is....drumroll...are there any jobs in the Bay area??? All that talk of big bucks is great but any openings, real openings, not just postings on Craigs list or websites that the hospitals all do...I am just curious, I'm not moving.

The original poster asked what the top pay is, also asked for a ballpark based on location. So we got into this whole California thing, but jobs are very hard to come by. Mostly because everyone and their mom in northern California knows that the highest pay is found out in the bay. Competition is murder for positions at these hospitals, going up against people with over 20 years experience trying to come back into the work force because they lost tons of their retirement. Assuming they land a job, they can recover their losses faster than working in the Central Valley.