Where to start after graduation

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Specializes in Med/Surg, MICU.

So, I'll be starting my first year of nursing school Monday and I like to do my research and get opinions of others. I plan to hopefully attend grad school later down the road and I wanted to figure out the best way to make the most money to pay for it.

I've read so many varying starting salaries I just don't know where to begin. Some people I saw only made 30k while others said they made more than 60k without over time within their first 2 years of working without experience. How in the world can I make a lot without overtime? Do I have to move to the west where salaries are generally higher? Bargain with the employers? Work in the city at a huge hospital?

I'm sure there's many factors but I would like to know what many of you did to earn what you did when you graduated.

Right now I have a job as a cna/ monitor tech at the hospital near where I live and I'm going to try to get as much experience as I can before I graduate.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Generally without any experience salaries are given and not negotiated. Salaries can be negotiated when you have something other than eagerness to work hard and a desire to make money.

Where you'll make the most money is by living in an area where high salaries are given such as the West Coast and the NE Coast.

The other way to make money is to work nights and weekends and get differentials for working off shifts.

Larger hospitals do tend to pay more if the supply of nurses doesn't meet the demands of the facility.

Soon you're going to be too busy and overwhelmed with school to worry about these kinds of things and you'll be just greatful to make it through a semester. LOL

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in MSP, Informatics.

"I'm sure there's many factors but I would like to know what many of you did to earn what you did when you graduated."

I have seen some of the years of experience posted by many members....and believe me....you don't want to know what some of us started out making an hour!!!! :twocents::twocents::twocents:

Just get thrugh it. You generally start out low, and work your way up quickly.

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