Why am I starting out making 19 an hour?

[NewgradMary]

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?

[RN-BSN2015]

Here in Buffalo, NY we have one of the cheapest cost of living in the country but new grads start between $25-$30/hr. The difference I believe is that for one there is competition between several healthcare systems to attract new BSN nurses but there are also strong unions and nurses fight for fair wages. No matter the cost of living this job should not start at less than $25 IMO

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

No matter the cost of living this job should not start at less than $25 IMO

Agree.

I think for cost adjustment inflation, new grad salaries should be 40-hr across the board...but I'm sure that's a whole 'nother thread. :)

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

This is an employers market and they all realize it. Since there are anywhere from 50-150 applicants for one position, employers don't care about fairness or work/ life balance anymore.

The salaries have definitely dropped in the last 10 years. The good days where bidding wars were common are over.

[CherrrRN]

Along with what most people have already said, your starting rate of $19 is probably while in the residency program. Usually they increase your pay after you complete the residency. Also, you have to think about the costs the hospital is spending just to have this program. Residencies are not cheap; you have to hire instructors, find preceptors, etc. They say the average cost to train a new grad could range around $10,000-$50,000 depending on the facility. Average salaries are usually with seasoned nurses. After you have experience, then you'll be able to negotiate pay if you choose to find another job in a different city/hospital.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I started out at $20/hr. I feel like $19 is low but not unheard of, unfortunately. Raises are also hard to come by unless you switch jobs frequently. Welcome to nursing! This is what it looks like to be in a traditionally female-dominated field.

As far as maybe getting a raise out of residency - didn't happen to me and didn't happen to anyone I know personally, but you never know. Maybe you'll get lucky. I didn't get my first raise 'til my first year of employment was over.

[sourapril]

Move to a different place :)

[jjjyyy]

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?

Hi I will become a new grad nurse next spring and I live in Western New York region( buffalo ). I recently found about wny nursing residency program run by local hospitals. Do you know if such residency program require bsn or rn license is enough to get in the program?

[L♡vER]

Sounds about right!

[seasidesoul]

Have you included shift diffs and benefits into your equation? Most new grads in my state start working nights, which is an additional $3-4/hr. Weekends would be another $3-4, depending on your facility. New grads also rarely factor in the benefits package, which will likely decrease the monthly bills you pay now, and therefore increase your net income.

[KStudentNurse70]

Wow I'm from Buffalo NY and new grads start around $30 an hour adn and bsn prepared nurses, and our cost of living really isn't that bad..