What is ur average 2 week take home pay?

australianrn · Jul 5, 2006

HI I am a RN working in Australia. I work in a private hospital that caters for children 0 - 18 years of age with disabilities. Ive been there for 4 years. I work 32 hours per week, thursday to sunday. Take home pay for two weeks is $1750. That is after income tax and medical insurance is taken out.

I am enjoying reading all of your replies.

RazorbackRN, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2006

I am a new grad and will begin my new career next week. That being said, I find it disturbing you would post a survey regarding salaries. If you are studying nursing for the salary then you may want to rethink your decision. I certainly would not want you taking care of my family member if it is about the money. I chose to become a nurse because of my compassion for other people and my desire to make a difference. I have sat on the other side and know first hand the true value of a nurse. At the end of the day I will not be counting the money I earned, but recalling what I did, or what I could have done better. To be perfectly honest with you, I can not tell you off hand what my hourly rate will be. All I can say is that I will be part of a profession that I am honored to belong to. You see, I truly wanted to become a nurse for the sake of working in that capacity. There are plenty of other professions in which you can earn more and by all means will have less responsibility. In my opinion, if you are worried about the salary now as a student, nursing is not your calling.

You know, it's great that you're so gung-ho about being a nurse, as it is a wonderful profession. However, saying that you don't even know what your starting pay will be is ridiculous.

Either you're not being totally honest or you really are in for a wake up call. I can promise you that after a shift or two, you will care how much you're making.

Yes, nursing is rewarding and can give you that warm, fuzzy feeling, but that warm, fuzzy feeling isn't going to pay the bills and let's face it, nursing is hard work that deserves decent compensation.

bonjovigirl · Jul 5, 2006

I'm an RN in florida, with 1 year experience, day shift cardiac floor, 36 hrs a week, and take home approx $1200 Q2 weeks, after health ins for me and hubby and small amt in 401k.

I don't think the poster is out of line, alot of people don't want to answer, so don't. Theres nothing wrong with either. If my co workers and I never spoke of money, they I wouldn't know that after many many years of experience, some people are making a whopping $2 more an hour than me. That make me look into future plans.

Also, anyone who thinks a person is not going to make a good nurse because she wants to find out how much theyy make has never been broke. I personally find it crazy that I work SO very hard and put up with so much bs, and have to bite my tongue CONSTANTLY, not to mention the level of responsibilty I have and the fact I miss out on holidays and sunday dinners for what amounts above stated wage. Am I a decent caring compassionate nurse who ill do whatever it takes to be a pt advocate, yes, do I want to get paid a decent wage? oh yeah. Hello? while you're busting your butt taking care of everyone from millionaires to homeless people, your electricity and mortgage need to be paid. I wouldn't trade my job for most others, but dang, I NEED that paycheck.

mitchsmom · Jul 5, 2006

I don't think there's anything wrong with asking what to expect- if someone doesn't want to answer, don't answer :) They don't really tell you what to expect in school & there's nothing wrong with trying to make financial plans for the future. Sometimes it's hard to get the real scoop/all the details from hospitals too.

Salary.com is not always accurate for my area. It appears to be based on an estimation, which is not always right (for example, cost of living and pay have changed frequently in the last two years in my town); it even lists nurse-midwife pay for our town which is funny because there aren't any in my entire county.

I'm not doing nursing for the money, as a matter of fact I'm lucky enough that my husband's income can support us fully, but that doesn't mean I don't or shouldn't still care about my future work/income.

1.Type of nurse? OB RN

2. How many hours u work per week? I want all 36's but it may end up being alternating 36/48

3. How many years of nursing? 0 - I start next week

4. What Shift: Day, Evening, nights, or weekend only? 7-7 days, every other weekend

5. City and State - rural far South small town

6. Average 2 week gross pay - my base pay will be $19.10, I will get 15% for not taking benefits, 7% shift diff 3-11; no weekend shift diff., (15% diff for 11-7 which doesn't apply to me). I was told by another employee that my 15% for no benefits doesn't apply after 40 hours, that is something HR didn't tell me & I have to clarify. If we pick up an extra 12 hr shift we get an incentive (I think $125) plus applicable OT.

LaNICUnurse · Jul 5, 2006

Would you be happy making $10-15 as a new nurse? Graduate, go out there and start working, and then get back to me.

I graduated and was making $12.15 an hour. I never asked while I was in school how much I was going to make. It wasn't my goal for graduating. My goal was to take care of my babies. Yes it was in 1991, but it still wasn't good pay. I make more than double now.

I was totally happy with my income. I still am. I would do my job if I was still making that. THIS IS THE POINT!!!!

I don't believe that those looking for the income are totally heartless, but the reality is that nothing pays us for what we do, it has to be in your heart. If it is not you will eventually decide that nursing is a ridiculous way to earn a living. YOU will not be out here 10-20-30 years later telling your funny stories about your nursing career.

The ones who have it in their heart are the ones who should be taking the spots in nursing school. Instead it is getting clogged with people who think we make easy money. And, making it difficult to impossible for those with a calling to get in, and to graduate.

Off my soap box.

rngreenhorn · Jul 5, 2006

And I agree with the others .... shorthand or not, poor grammar never looks good. :-)

I find it curious you indicate your displeasure with poor grammar with a grammatically incorrect sentence.

LaNICUnurse · Jul 5, 2006

That is true-- it's part of our puritanical upbringing. We're very hypocritical-- can talk about anything under the sun but when it comes to the most important things that really affect your life, like, religion/sex/money-- well, people tend to run for the nearest exit.
I work in the Pacific NW
Take home pay- 1600 for 36 hrs/week worked
Night shift
Cardiac unit
1st year RN

That is because everyone has their own beliefs about these subjects, and they are DEEPLY personal. They should be respected. And, noone should be made to fee they are hypocritical because they don't feel they should share this information.

deanaRN · Jul 5, 2006

I didn't go into nursing for the money. I did check salaries, and do not feel bad about it at all. I discovered that I could make nearly twice as much an hour if I commute to the nearest city rather than working in my small town. That doesn't make me any less of a nurse, just a smarter one IMO.

LaNICUnurse · Jul 5, 2006

What is an LVN?

Licensed Vocational Nurse, or Licensed Practical Nurse. It is a vocational certificate that allows for less than one year of practical experience to work as a nurse. You have less responsibility, and more work.

Krither · Jul 5, 2006

Just a little input on the subject of cost of living.

In the most general sense, the cost of living really does depend on where you live. I'm talking regions AND individual states.

For example, the state of California (More specifically the urban cites: LA, San Francisco etc...) has one of the highest costs of living in the country. And the same goes for some states on the east cost, and on Northeast. When you really narrow it down to a city you get more of an idea of what the cost of living is like.

Also, I wanted to add that I find the survey helpful. I'm just starting my prereqs this summer, fresh out of highschool and I myself am wondering what my starting salary will be as I will need to immediately start paying off my loans, plus make a living.

LaNICUnurse · Jul 5, 2006

Also, anyone who thinks a person is not going to make a good nurse because she wants to find out how much theyy make has never been broke. I personally find it crazy that I work SO very hard and put up with so much bs, and have to bite my tongue CONSTANTLY, not to mention the level of responsibilty I have and the fact I miss out on holidays and sunday dinners for what amounts above stated wage. Am I a decent caring compassionate nurse who ill do whatever it takes to be a pt advocate, yes, do I want to get paid a decent wage? oh yeah. Hello? while you're busting your butt taking care of everyone from millionaires to homeless people, your electricity and mortgage need to be paid. I wouldn't trade my job for most others, but dang, I NEED that paycheck.

Like I said, there is no amount of compensation for all that we do miss out on. You have to have a love for it.

Texascasemanager · Jul 5, 2006

RN in Houston, Texas. Working medicaid Case Management for a group health insurer. Working as a nurse 19 years . Currently work about 36 hours a week and take home per 2 week after all deductions is about 3200.