Wages

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I love in TN and fresh out of nursing school and passed the NCLEX. starting pay is $17.50 for RN in the ER. Too low? I'm very greatful for the opportunity. It's a dream job!

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Yikes. Seems low to me for an RN.

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I make $11.20 an hour as a nanny, cuddling infants all day long. So...yeah that's a tad too low for an ER nurse.

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You have to look at what the average pay is for your area. I would assume Tennessee is lower than national average, but $17.50 does seem a bit too low.

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Yes it is lower than national avg. TN I think has the lowest paid RNs

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That does seem low but, if that's what they're paying in the area, you can't expect much more as a new nurse. I went to nursing school in Florida where the starting pay was around $17 an hour but moved to Louisiana right after graduation and started at $20 an hour. Mind you, that was 8 years ago.

You have to consider the whole package, not just pay. How good are the benefits? How much will you be paying for your insurance? What opportunities are there to increase your base pay (certifications, shift dif, etc.).

If it's your dream job (and you can get by on $17 an hour), take it. If nothing else, it's a great experience.

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It's full time with zero benefits!!!!

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Way too low. I'm in TN also and new grads where I'm at off around $24 with great benefits.

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$17 an hour with no benefits is not just too low, it's a slap in the face. I know men who make more than that in the plants with just a high school diploma. If they want a professional they have to pay for one. At the rate they're offering you, after taxes, it'll be less than $35K a year. To work in a high-stress environment as an ER nurse. My mom worked as an elementary school teacher making more than that and again, I live in a state where cost of living is a lot like TN.

Trying to put some things in perspective for you. I mean if you can live comfortable off of that income, and it's your dream job, then I would 100% go after it if it were me. I just don't know of anyone who can.

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Yeah I agree completely. I am very hurt by this offer but wanted to know other opinions because I love the ER/trauma. Hoping I can get experience here and then move to ICU at another hospital.

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Yeah I agree completely. I am very hurt by this offer but wanted to know other opinions because I love the ER/trauma. Hoping I can get experience here and then move to ICU at another hospital.

I empathize with how you feel. For what it's worth, you don't want to start your first job out as a new grad feeling unappreciated from the get-go. I'm not a nurse, I start my program in August but most people say that the first year is a doozy. Lots of things to take in, lots to learn, and you feel like you have no time to learn it. It's overwhelming. The last thing you want on top of those feelings is to feel undervalued. Keep your head up and keep searching. This may seem like a dream come true but in a week you could get an offer 10x better than that. Don't sell yourself short. Consider all of your options. You worked way too hard!

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Thank you very much. Best of luck to you in nursing school! I know you will succeed!

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