RN Salaries?

I recently applied to an RN program in california (Mount St. Mary's College ADN Program). I am ecstatic of finally doing what I feel in my heart is the right fit for me after many years of putting it off. I currently work in the computer/IT field and doing pre-nursing courses on evenings and weekends. Hopefully I'll get accepted to the program and be on my nursing way My question is: What is the average salary for nurses? I know it varies from location, years of experience, etc..blah, etc..blah... But...in all honesty (for RN's), what is your annual income? Where do you work, city, etc? At my current job I am making 40K, so I'm just curious if nursing will be a big step up or down in the financial dept. Thanks for reading, Norma G. Los Angeles, CA Lap RNY: 8/30/04 255/219/150

Hi Norma, I live in New Jersey. I have been an RN for 19 years. Working PT now for the State of New Jersey making between $35-$45/hour, depending on shift and weekday/weekend. Lots of luck, Nancy Nurse

Thank you sooo much for your responses!

For Philadelphia, PA a new nurse should be able to make anywhere from $40k to $60 and up depending on how many weekends / holidays / nightshifts you are willing to work. With nursing, the money is in the nights and weekends. The sky is the limit if you are willing to work the off-hours. I have friends that have cleared over $100k. Good Luck!

Hi Norma, I think it depends alot on what degree you get and the cost of living where you plan to practice. In Jacksonville, FL the starting salary for a new grad with a BSN is about 35,000/year. It is lower for a two year RN. go to salarywizard.com and you can do a search in your area. It will give you a salary range for a variety of professions. Good luck! Amanda M.

I am nurse in dayton ohio and I make 37.50 per hour. For that I have to work every weekend sat/sun 7p-7a. Extra shift are paid at 34.50. You'll find lots of options out there.

Me too Norma...I'm working on my pre-nursing courses part time. Fortunately for me I do payroll for a hospital here in Nor-Cal. Start pay at the hospital I'm at for a new grad 2 year nursing degree nurse is about $24 an hour plus shift differential and extra pay for inpatient care (called supplementals) which can bring the hourly rate from $26-31 an hour fresh out of school. Keep up the good work. If you don't mind me asking...which area of nursing do you want to go into? I'm looking forward to Labor/Delivery. Kristy 248/162/140 RNY 8/3/04

Hey Kristy T, $26-31 will definitely put a smile on my face I am so eager to finally be in the hospital/nursing environment and professionally do what I've always wanted to. What courses are you taking? I'm in a program in L.A. @ Mount St. Mary's college called the ADN Program (Assoc.Degree in Nursing) in which you are able to attend the nursing courses,etc on evenings and weekends. It's a program IDEAL for working adults, and I'm so glad I was accepted and starting on Jan 18 I've done most of my pre-nursing courses on my own, but just need to do anatomy and physio before I get started with nursing classes. I applied for a nurse extern position at a local hospital and got the job, but unfortunately, it only payed $12/hr and just wasn't enough to pay my current bills,etc. Sucks, but, I just have to be patient and become an RN ASAP! How far are you from adding that R.N. to your name? Wish you the best with that and the rest in 2005 Take care, norma.

This next semester I am enrolled in my Microbiology class then in the fall I will be taking my physiology. I have to have all of my pre-nursing classes completed before I even apply for the ADN program. Unfortunately here it's only during the days...so I'm going to have to find another job when that time comes. I would say I'm still about 3 years away from adding that RN after my name. Good luck! Kristy 248/159/140

STAY AWAY FROM MISSOURI New grads start out 14.00-17.00 hour If you are seasoned with 10+ years you will make around 20.00-25.00 an hour. Yes there are the weekend end specials and the night shift diff. but not as good as other states. And the patient nurse ratio can be hell here too. Loridan