What is a reasonable starting salary to expect?

allnurses Guide · Apr 20, 2017

In a perfect world I'd like a pony that can fly

.......and produce flatulence consisting of gold dust and diamonds.

I've been a nurse for 17 years and make about 70K - but I work Psych and 8 hour shifts. It's my families 2nd income and works for me. PS I am in California where the COL is pretty high.

hppy

Julius Seizure · Apr 20, 2017

I worked in central Florida up until a few years ago. I worked at the hospital for my first 5 years of being an RN and in my last full year there I made about $46,000.

Moving to a different region of the country gave me a considerable pay increase: I made $55,000 in the Midwest the following year.

Scottishtape · Apr 20, 2017

I live in Orlando.

Brand new RN's are at $21-22/hr for the hospitals in Orlando. Since I had the LPN experience, I was privy to the pay scales at different years of experience.

One hospital was offering me $23 as an RN with 2 years of experience (they were only giving me 4 years of my LPN time)

Another hospital offered me $26 as an RN with 5 years of experience (they gave me 10 years of my LPN time).

That's only the base pay, not the differentials. With the differentials, I'll be making around $56k a year being considered an RN with 5 years of experience once I start, with a 2.5% pay increase per year. Those are day shift differentials. You'd make more if you went night shift of course, because their differentials are higher.

So, it depends on how long you decide to work before moving to Orlando.

If you moved south (Miami area), you'd be paid a lot better, but the cost of living is A LOT higher down there.

* Note that the pay I was quoted also included an extra little bump for my bachelors.

Scottishtape · Apr 20, 2017

I worked in central Florida up until a few years ago. I worked at the hospital for my first 5 years of being an RN and in my last full year there I made about $46,000.
Moving to a different region of the country gave me a considerable pay increase: I made $55,000 in the Midwest the following year.

Yep. This happened to me too, except I went the opposite direction haha. I went from the Midwest to FL and took a pay cut. Womp womp. Now it's better, but it hurt in the beginning!

DowntheRiver · Apr 20, 2017

Central Florida new grads typically start at $22-$23 an hour. In Winter Haven, which is pretty close to both Tampa and Orlando, I started at $23/hour plus differential. Some places pay .50-$1/hour for BSN. With three years experience, I have now had offers for $27-$29/hour plus an additional $1 once I obtain my BSN (August 2017 - can't wait!).

utopiaworld · Apr 21, 2017

I get paid $40 per hour in seattle washington and the cost of living in my area is not that high. My rent is around $875 with one bedroom. Two bedroom is $989 typically. I work for this really good agency that hires you for high amount. I make $86,090-161,280. I love my job and the agency I work for. If you work hard and really care for your patients, they will give you what you trully deserve. Many nurses work hard, but they don't get paid enough for their hard work.

EmRo42 · Apr 24, 2017

I get paid $40 per hour in seattle washington and the cost of living in my area is not that high. My rent is around $875 with one bedroom. Two bedroom is $989 typically. I work for this really good agency that hires you for high amount. I make $86,090-161,280. I love my job and the agency I work for. If you work hard and really care for your patients, they will give you what you trully deserve. Many nurses work hard, but they don't get paid enough for their hard work.

You must not be in the metro Seattle area, because you can't even find a STUDIO for less than 900, let alone a two bedroom for $1000! You found a steal of a deal and I am just jealous!!!