When does your salary go up??

[Epona]

Good evening!

Let me start off by saying I am THANKFUL I have a job. On the other hand, I am wondering when my salary will go up??? I have gotten my first full time RN job in a hospital. My salary is around $35,000. This is WAY BELOW what the average RN is supposed to make. Most RN's in my area (according to a salary check I did), make in the mid 50's. I realize this is with experience. I am thinking even after ONE YEAR, say I transfer to another unit, I am probably not going to get that much of an increase. Does anyone know typically WHEN the RN salary goes up??

Oh... and I am working mostly days. There is a shift diff., but like I said I am days for the most part, so this is pretty much what I am going to make. :uhoh21:

Is this pretty standard??

[proudnurseRN]

Semi-new grad (May 09) and I make 25.60/hr plus night/weekend differential. Take home pay every 2 weeks is usually a little over $1500. Will be less soon because I don't have retirement coming out yet. I live in the Midwest.

However, I worked at the hospital before graduating, and that counted towards my "time" I know our increases are ay 18 months (which I got because of my previous time served ) and 5 years. I don't know what the 5 yr pay increase is, but I know the 18 mth increase was $5+/hr.

We also got a small sign on bonus for a 2 yr committment.

My hospital has been voted one of the "best places to work" in my state though, and I'm sure this is part of the reason. The other part is lower staff/patient ratios (I have never had more than 5 pts at night, and typically it's 3-4). It truly is a great place to work and I'm thankful for the job I have.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Thanks everybody! I appreciate all the posts. I am guessing it will certainly go up over time (I hope!) :chair: When I was first thinking of being a nurse I saw all these averages of $50-$60 thousand, so I was planning my future off that salary range. Yes, it will be tight, but I am a nurse, have a good job, so I am thankful especially during these times. I hope to specialize eventually so that too will boost it some I am guessing.

Things to remember.

When you graduate from Nursing school, you have not "interned". That means, you have a whole lot of book knowledge and a certain amount of clinical experience, but are far from independant. That means whatever facility hires you, like it or not, is taking on a responsibility and also a pricey proposition. It is expensive to train and orient a new nurse properly, and it is hard on the experienced staff. You are also an asset that may never pay off - you may quit or transfer, after being trained, something that places them at a loss and having to start over again.

This costs the facility alot of money, time, energy and places certain stressors on the other staff.

Thus you will make more, once you are more independant. And when there is an economy to support it.

Also, be aware that interns/residents (MDs that have passed boards/finished med school but not completed residency), often get paid less than experienced nurses during residency, for working twice as many hours, often working 30 hrs straight, every few days. They do this for several years, before becoming independant, and they have to pay off loans often well over $100,000.