Wife getting ready to Graduate. Worried about her pay!!! CALIF.

Published

:cry:Hello all- first off let me inform you. I am currently in my last year of the navy and my wife will be done with her RN in about the same time. What I was hoping was that she would begin her job and I would go to school (Kinda opposite of what we're doing now)- but what she's been hearing lately was that nurses don't make too much at all, less than what I make now as a matter a fact which was a huge disappointment to both of us seeing as how we have two little girls (Child care) and bills that she would have to take over. Could someone please shed as much light as possible to put our hearts at ease. We currently live in San Marcos CA. We understand that taxes take a huge chunk of change out but for an RN I figured we'd still be ok for me to go to school financially.

Sorry if this seems as an ignorant thread I really don't know anything out the pay. I've tried to search but I'm unfamiliar w/ these forums. Please help as best as you can. Thank you in advance.

Thank you all very much for your replies. I'm use to being on a car forum and they're so much more "violent" w/ their words and replies. lol I'm not use to all the info I asked for straight out instead of having to beat around the bush for a page or 3.

Thank you!! We nurses are a pretty awesome group of people:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

RN pay near San Diego is good.

Does her school have advice?

Perhaps your wife would like to call some hospitals and ask about new grad pay.

And generally there is an increase in 6 months to a year.

These are not a long drive from San Marcos.

http://www.pph.org/default.aspx?nd=456

http://www.alvaradohospital.com/ws_display.asp?filter=Career.Opportunities

https://www.healthcaresource.com/chsd/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.categoryList&template=dsp_job_categories.cfm

UCSD has new grad programs. A North County campus would be good - http://medinfo.ucsd.edu/nursing/newgrads/

Up Vote Up Vote ×
depends....in my neck of the woods, evals are yearly...and don't be suprised, 1600 biweekly sounds about right. After all, it takes time to make the money. Also, with higher starting salaries, comes more pitfalls. After all, why pay more unless there are problems?

On a side note, hope y'all are doing ok with the heavy smoke all over the state....

Thanks for your reply and we are on the South side of the state so we're ok for right now. Thank you so much for your concern.:saint:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Alright thank you all! She's on right now reading through the thread. She knows most of the links that were posted- but she'll look them over later on. Thanks for all your knowledge, she's got to continue studying and I've got to go to bed to wake up at 5am. I'll make sure she logs on and looks into this more. Again all thank you very much and God Bless:yeah:. You all were VERY informative.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.
She has an account (After I forced her too:banghead:) but she doesn't use at all.

Ok so we've looked through salary.com~ and its pretty much confirming what he friends have told her. Around 57k. But that BEFORE taxes. After that its just 1600.00 biweekly. So thats AROUND what I make...:angryfire. So how often do raises come up?

I am a military wife, with a Navy husband of 16 years stationed in SoCal. Sorry if this comes across as blunt, but this statement (as well as several others you have posted here) makes me believe that you are not at all concerned about anything other than how much your wife can make in order for you to do what you want to do. Selfish, perhaps? I make a very decent salary here in SoCal, but I would never be able to support my own family of four on my salary alone in this area. If you are looking to be a full-time student for four years while your wife supports the family of four (and have a decent quality of life to boot), you may want to consider moving to an area with a lower cost of living.

If you are making so much in the military, why don't you stay in, attend college part-time (on the military's dime), and add your wife's income to the mix? You will be doing very well for yourselves, not to mention your children.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree that expecting one person to support a family on only one income in CA is unreasonable. For that matter, it is pretty much unreasonable anywhere in today's economy. What kind of lifestyle do you expect on one paycheck? Did you think you hit the jackpot by having a spouse who will be a nurse? I think you need to relook at your priorities, or at least at your way of expressing yourself. I am beginning to feel sorry for your wife.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am currently in my last year of the navy

Thank you for your service to our country!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.

I don't think the OP is being selfish...many couples work out something like this. And I know quite a few people that support a whole family on one paycheck. It's certainly not easy, and some sacrifices have to be made, but it's doable.

From what I've heard, the starting salary for a new grad averages about $45,000-$50,000 a year. I have just about 2 years under my belt and will make over $60,000 this year. Hopefully, your wife can pick up overtime too, if she wants to.

The job security that comes with being a nurse is important too, so it may help to think of it that way. Sure, there are jobs in other industries that might pay more but the security just isn't there.

Also, I too would like to thank you for your service to our country..:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm use to being on a car forum and they're so much more "violent" w/ their words and replies. lol I'm not use to all the info I asked for straight out instead of having to beat around the bush for a page or 3.
I also have tried other forums about other subjects and was quickly put off by the free floating nastiness. This is the only forum I visit on a regular basis and have been doing it for 10 years.
Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you are able to live on what you are making now, you should be able to live on her salary. If you had hopes of being able to buy more things and have more disposable income, then no, you probably won't be able to do that. You will still need to live cost efficiently until you graduate and have two full incomes.

There is no reason why you can't work when you get out. Your GI bill should help with some tuition and you may be able to get more once you fill out your FAFSA which is required whether you are planning on getting financial aid or not.

If you go fulltime, there is still time for a part time job. Or you can get a full time job and go to college full time. It is do-able.

The GI Bill doesn't go far, so depending on what you want to take and how far degree wise you go, you will probably end up with some school debt but it is manageable if you do it smart and get a degree that you can use.

If you want something bad enough, you will be able to do all this. Be aware that nursing is more stressful and the working environment is horrible compared to the Navy. Your wife will feel like she is taking on the world when she becomes the bread winner in the house. She may have to take/keep terrible jobs just to make money so that you get to work on your dreams. Be aware of those feelings, acknowledge them when she is unhappy and tired after work, and look for ways to lighten her load. It will help your marriage in the long run.

Separating from the Navy is very stressful on everyone. Make sure you take the TAP classes offered and any other assistance you can get from government or private sources for jobs, financial aid, even friendship from vets. It is hard to transition from such a structured environment to one where you get to make all the choices. Large colleges often have non-traditional students organizations. You can often find help and friendship with people in your same boat.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am a military wife, with a Navy husband of 16 years stationed in SoCal. Sorry if this comes across as blunt, but this statement (as well as several others you have posted here) makes me believe that you are not at all concerned about anything other than how much your wife can make in order for you to do what you want to do. Selfish, perhaps? I make a very decent salary here in SoCal, but I would never be able to support my own family of four on my salary alone in this area. If you are looking to be a full-time student for four years while your wife supports the family of four (and have a decent quality of life to boot), you may want to consider moving to an area with a lower cost of living.

If you are making so much in the military, why don't you stay in, attend college part-time (on the military dime), and add your wife's income to the mix? You will be doing very well for yourselves, not to mention your children.

Ah don't worry about being blunt- I can take it:D. I'm the type of person who would would like to be prepared for anything so I always look at things from a perspective that would allow leeway. I in NO MEANS wanted to go to school full time while my wife works full time supporting the family- that would be down right degrading. I was just more focused on what she would be able to handle as far as her salary. Please forgive me if I gave the wrong impressions. My school would be for around 3 years but I'd be working either part/full time depending on the job. As far as staying in the military- my father was in the military and him being gone for most all my life left me tarnished. I'd want to be hear to be a great father and dad to my little girls, ESPECIALLY now a days. Thank you so much for your guidance and tough love;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I agree that expecting one person to support a family on only one income in CA is unreasonable. For that matter, it is pretty much unreasonable anywhere in today's economy. What kind of lifestyle do you expect on one paycheck? Did you think you hit the jackpot by having a spouse who will be a nurse? I think you need to relook at your priorities, or at least at your way of expressing yourself. I am beginning to feel sorry for your wife.

We already have plans to move to GA- but seeing as how I need the school and I COULD (Still deciding) start while im in the military and she could get a few years under her belt before we moved we might need a little more time here in CA. Again sorry if I came out the wrong way- I was just on THIS forums to find a little more about her pay, nothing more.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion