Why am I starting out making 19 an hour?

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I just got hired into a new grad residency program making 19 an hour. It is a small hospital, but I know other students who got hired at bigger hospitals in big cities also making around the same amount. Yearly this adds up to about 35,000 not including the taxes that will be taken out. This seems extremely low. I was under the impression I would be making at least 50,000 starting out. Is this normal?

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Sigh. Sorry OP. But you remind me of posters who say "I graduated, passed my NCLEX and now can't get an interview anywhere, much less find a job! I thought there was a nursing shortage!". RESEARCH is your friend, my friend

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"Starting" salary and "Average median salary" are two different ball games. Inexperienced new grads will make significantly less then the nurse who has way more experience. The average median salary is usually the average salary of nurses with years of experience under their belt.

In comparison new resident doctors straight out of medical school would be lucky if they make $40,000 a year until their residency is completed.

Moral of the story, you have to pay your dues in the field first in order to get the financial benefits of it. It will come in due time.

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Nursing is no way to get rich, believe me.

Yep and I think some people think otherwise. Although the career can be financially rewarding in the long run, its by no means a get rich fast lottery ticket.

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I live in Washington State and cost of living is fairly average in my area. RNs at the hospitals here start out at $34 an hour.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Nursing is no way to get rich, believe me.

As my nursing instructor always said; "Nursing will NOT make you rich, but you can certainly make a living on it." ;)

Considering what minimum wage is, nursing is still in the bag of making money at least having a roof (rent or own), hot water, electricity, soap, some food and a few nice things, even a good vacation outside of the country...in most places anyways.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Alas, but to some people, especially those without a pot to **** in, it IS a golden ticket..much more than minimum wage. :yes:

could it be more, ABSOLUTELY...but that's a whole 'nother thread.

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Thats what I started at in nowhere craphole Kansas. I moved to another state and took a 7/hr raise right away.

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Be thankful you were able to land a new grad position. Get your experience and be humbled by it. Once you have some experience, you will have more opportunities. There are lots of EXPERIENCED RN's that are looking for work. Use this time wisely to get paid training and roll with it for now.

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Nursing is basically a way to work for THE MAN nowadays. The people who suppposedly "own" you (and the mds, pas, and nps) won't care how much effort and money you put into your bsn. They just see how much money we can make them and how replaceable we are.

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Specializes in ICU.

In my city, new grads start out around $27 in the medical center. I've even heard of a nursing home paying $29. If your city is worth the stay, then hang in there. Once you get your one year experience, the world is yours because you are not considered a graduate nurse anymore, but a nurse with experience.

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It is a small hospital, but I know other students who got hired at bigger hospitals in big cities also making around the same amount."

It is a small town in Virginia. So your saying it is normal for the area? The cost of living is very low here. But I know someone who got hired at Vanderbilt in Nashville making 19 an hour also.

My fiance who works as an academic adviser for an online university, that does not require a bachelors degree, will be making only a little less than me. I know know someone who is a dental assistant in Baltimore MD who makes 20 an hour. I just thought I would be making a lot more for the 4 years I put in to get a BSN.

It really depends on your area. I am in the Baltimore metro area and New grads make anywhere between 24.40 and 30.00 depending on the setting. There is no pay difference between ADNs and BSNs. It is just easier to get a job in a hospital setting if you are a BSN. There is a thread on here where people have commented on the pay in their area. It varies greatly!

Anywhere from 19.00 in the south to 50.00/hr in Cali.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

My assumption was based on the fact that I thought the average salary was 60,000 for nurses (based on sites like salary.com) I didn't think that meant starting out at 35,000

Here is where you made your miscalculation "The average salary" is just that "average" It takes the highs and the lows and makes an average. You are at entry not the average.

There is no nursing shortage and salaries are falling backward.

Most facilities do not pay differential for the BSN (if they do it's only a dollar or two).....the BSN is usually offered the job first.

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