What was minimum wage when you first started?

[HeartsOpenWide]

I have read a couple threads on here with people asking if nurses would be willing to work for ridiculously low wages; often as low as minimum wage. Got me thinking about what minimum wage was at my first job...my first job was at a round table for $5.75. Soooo glad I don't still make that! What was minimum wage when you got your very first job?

[MERRYWIDOW46]

In 1984 I was making $15.45 at a major eastern city tertiary care university hospital.

[llg, PhD, RN]

In 1977, I got my first job as a staff nursing in an NICU -- for $4.51 per hour. When I left to go to grad school 2 years later, I could make as much as $6.10 if I was the Charge Nurse on the night shift.

I was THRILLED to be over that $6.00 mark.

[mamamerlee, LPN]

In June of 1974, fresh out of school, I made about 4.55/hr. In July, there was an across-the board increase, and I was making 4.76/hr.

I lived in a FABULOUS apartment in downtown Philly! Thought I was well-paid! Always had money in my pocket!

[lisamc1RN, LPN]

It was $3.35. I was 16 and worked as nursing assistant in a nursing home. Things have changed a lot.

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

I worked for $3.20 at the local movie theater during college.

My first nursing assistant job paid $4/hr base pay. I lived at home during nursing school, and that $4/hr job paid the tuition(community college), books, health insurance, car insurance, and all my expenses except room and board.

I worked as a CNA through an agency to put myself through LPN school.

I made from $7.00-$9.50 an hour- big bucks back then! (1990-1992) I lived on my own in an all-girls boarding house known as "The Convent."

I took a pay cut when I graduated with my LPN and got a regular job. My first LPN nursing job paid $9.00/hr.

My first RN job paid $20./hr. Not bad for the year 2000.

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

In June of 1974, fresh out of school, I made about 4.55/hr. In July, there was an across-the board increase, and I was making 4.76/hr.

I lived in a FABULOUS apartment in downtown Philly! Thought I was well-paid! Always had money in my pocket!

Those were the days!

[1dyclsr2rtrmnt]

Fresh out of LPN school, Arkansas, 1975, and was going to start in ICU, @ $2.75/hr, @ St. Joseph's Hospital.

But we moved to California. and my first job as an LPN, @ Long Beach Community Hospital and I cannot remember what they started me out there.

Maybe around $3.75....I'm just guessing and figuring that California always paid better than Arkansas so I"m sure it was a little more, but being a new grad it was low.