RN Salary??

[nycgirl1616]

Originally Posted by BucFan

if the pay isn't sufficient, might be time to look for a change in careers or a change within the career (ie. get a Master's Degree Clinical Nurse Spec or Nurse Practitioner).

NP's don't necessarily make more money, after a few years of experience they may, but that isn't the point. Paying nurses what they are worth should be a priority if these hospitals want to recruit and retain the best. I'm also of the belief that nurses would take a sacrifice in pay for better staffing/working conditions. Im in the process of applying to a masters program now. It also seems that everyone that is going into nursing wants to become and NP, eventually there are going to be fewer bedside nurses than NP's.

8 patients to a nurse is unsafe and is a common ratio nationwide. There is no way that each patient is getting the care they deserve with a nurse spread out so thin.

[cupper3]

Originally Posted by nycgirl1616

NP's don't necessarily make more money, after a few years of experience they may, but that isn't the point. Paying nurses what they are worth should be a priority if these hospitals want to recruit and retain the best. I'm also of the belief that nurses would take a sacrifice in pay for better staffing/working conditions. Im in the process of applying to a masters program now. It also seems that everyone that is going into nursing wants to become and NP, eventually there are going to be fewer bedside nurses than NP's.

8 patients to a nurse is unsafe and is a common ratio nationwide. There is no way that each patient is getting the care they deserve with a nurse spread out so thin.

Come to Alberta. We need nurses, and US citizens will have no problem getting a work visa.

Here is a link to current wages. Starting is $33.65/hour topping out at $44.17. Overtime is double time. Many, many nurses make over 6 figures... my ex was a hospital payroll clerk.

Standard is 4 patients/nurse. 8 is unheard of! The union (all nurses must belong) would never allow that.

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by avb3

Come to Alberta. We need nurses, and US citizens will have no problem getting a work visa.

Here is a link to current wages. Starting is $33.65/hour topping out at $44.17. Overtime is double time. Many, many nurses make over 6 figures... my ex was a hospital payroll clerk.

Standard is 4 patients/nurse. 8 is unheard of! The union (all nurses must belong) would never allow that.

Haha... You should see the patient load on LPNs in long-term-care. 30 patients to 1 nurse is pretty standard in Phoenix. A lot more people would be smoking and drinking if they knew what there "golden years" would be like.

[nycgirl1616]

Originally Posted by Zippyman

Haha... You should see the patient load on LPNs in long-term-care. 30 patients to 1 nurse is pretty standard in Phoenix. A lot more people would be smoking and drinking if they knew what there "golden years" would be like.

I was an LPN before I was an RN, I've been there and done that too. It is hard work, but the patients are stable and for the most part, DNR. I agree with you though!!!!

As an ER nurse I have had up to 15 patients, with ICU holds and tele and vents in that mix.

Avb3, my friend is working with a Canadian nurse who is doing travel nursing here and she is appalled at the healthcare system here. A coworker of mine is trying to move to Canada and the licensing is taking a really long time. She can't wait to get out of here!!

9 out of 10 travelers that come to NYC (both out of state and Canadian) run home crying, especially in ER.

What I don't get is how in California they can adhere to the patient ratios set by law plus pay nurses a huge salary. Why at least the ratios arent done in every state is beyond me.

[StreetSmarts]

^^^Wow, ur up early this AM.

Yes, traveler RN's definitely make a lot.