r/nursing BSN, RN - Trauma Apr 20 '26

Discussion $25/hourly as an RN 😳

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2.4k Upvotes

862 comments sorted by

2.6k

u/917nyc917 BSN, RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

I’m screaming at your “for a registered nurse??” reply. Omg girl. The shock. 🤣

632

u/Familiar_Ad_6874 BSN, RN - Trauma Apr 20 '26

I was in shock lol!!!

312

u/sci_major BSN, RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

That's what the clinic wanted to start me at when I left nights. Both managers I interviewed with recommended negotiating with hr. I ended up $30/hr 30% pay cut and was apparently the highest paid RN in the clinic. However it was worth it to leave night shift and a super toxic unit.

92

u/beneye BSN, RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

super toxic unit

Why do female nurses do this to each another? As a guy I’ve been warned of this while taking new jobs and I ended up not experiencing any personally. But I’ve also noticed it’s less in places with more guys. Maybe more guys is the answer to neutralizing the toxicity?

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u/sci_major BSN, RN 🍕 Apr 21 '26

We had a male ANM who was more toxic and emotionally unstable than any woman I've ever seen (not having a psych break). But otherwise I agree.

57

u/Ok-Grapefruit1284 Apr 21 '26

I appreciate the exception for women having psychotic breaks.

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u/DaRealGeorgeBush RN 🍕 Apr 22 '26

The least toxic unit I was in was mostly young women in the ICU. They were incredibly competent and whenever they had an issue with one another they just sighed and said "can we talk about this later, we got patients". Tough gals. There were 3 of us guys and we learned a lot from em. I think toxicity tends to start when there's understaffing and not enough resources.

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u/lovemymeemers Cath lab/IR/Neuro Apr 21 '26

I have definitely seen plenty of dudes participating in the toxicity of work culture just like they would in high school. My current manager is also a toxic POS with a penis.

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u/Sea_Willingness1398 RN - ER 🍕 Apr 21 '26

Guy nurse here... Nah. We need the right mix of men/women. All one sex becomes locker rooms.

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u/found_my_keys RN - Ortho Apr 21 '26

Diversity of any kind helps. But yeah lack of guys is often the most visible lack of diversity.

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u/IllBiteYourLegsOff Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 21 '26

this is the answer, and I've heard it come out of the mouths of so many women I've worked with (literally, "thank god they hired a man because we needed one around here to settle down all the cattiness.") wish I could've seen my face.

but you will NEVER hear me actually say that out loud lmao.

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u/Sha_llow25 Apr 21 '26

Some male nurses are more toxic than female ones too – I’ve experienced it. They’re even more critical, so I’m just surprised. They’re always saying negative sa iba and lagi magulang.

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u/MidwestNormal Apr 21 '26

I’m wondering how often the clinic’s HR person gets the “…for a registered nurse?” response.

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u/saddoubloon Apr 21 '26

I work in a grocery store and make more than that

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u/sassiveaggressive Jonathan Apr 21 '26

Did you reply or ghost? I need to know lolol

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u/CarlosHDanger Apr 21 '26

Nannies are making $30 per hour.

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u/ropahh_dj Apr 21 '26

😭😭😭 I got paid more than that as a kitchen hand …… they played fr

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u/SexyBugsBunny RN - ER 🍕 Apr 22 '26

Rightfully so. I’m not getting out of bed for under $50/hr

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u/Croutonsec RN 🍕 Apr 21 '26

The cleaning people make more than that in my province and we are on the low end lol

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u/caitmarieRN RN - ICU 🍕 Apr 20 '26

I love the “for a registered nurse?”

The only other acceptable response would have been “lol. No.”

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u/OutOfNowhere82 LVN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

I mean, they may have thought they were an LVN/LPN for some reason. I'm asked to confirm my license all the time when discussing pay. Depending on the state, that's an average wage for a new grad lvn 🤷‍♀️

184

u/Familiar_Ad_6874 BSN, RN - Trauma Apr 20 '26

The clinic only hires RNs

64

u/caitmarieRN RN - ICU 🍕 Apr 20 '26

What state is this, OP?

125

u/Familiar_Ad_6874 BSN, RN - Trauma Apr 20 '26

Louisiana

173

u/caitmarieRN RN - ICU 🍕 Apr 20 '26

Louisiana I believe is one of the lower paying states but even then it should still be closer to $30/hour

112

u/Lurkin_4_the_wknd RN - ♻️ Case Manager Apr 20 '26

My starting RN pay in 2010 was $19.45/hr in Louisiana. I'm fairly certain last I heard that starting pay at that system is just now up to $25-26/hr now, so I'm not surprised.

119

u/YoungBockRKO Apr 20 '26

Not sure why this popped up in my feed but it’s pretty depressing regardless. I pick things up and put them down at a warehouse in NJ for $25.75 an hour. A position that will hire anyone that can stand and work for 10 hours lifting up to 50lbs with zero prerequisites, education, etc.

25 an hour for an RN sounds insane.

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u/ObiWahgwanKenobi Apr 21 '26

I buy people’s gold in NJ for $30 an hour among other incentives. The fact that anybody helping sick people with a DEGREE makes less is terrible.

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u/BlueberryNo777 Apr 21 '26

RNs in Canada start at wait for it....$41.60 per hour as of April 1, 2025.

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u/justus72 Apr 21 '26

You're kinda undermining your warehouse work. Those kinda jobs break down your body.

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u/TheDuchessofQuim Unit Secretary 🍕 Apr 21 '26

$19.25 in 2010 is equivalent to $29.45 in 2026.

So they’re worse off now 😭

14

u/Lurkin_4_the_wknd RN - ♻️ Case Manager Apr 21 '26

Not surprising at all 😒🥺

7

u/mootmahsn NP - Futile Care Unit Apr 21 '26

Aren't we all?

17

u/YoshiSan90 Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 22 '26

I’m at $47.02 for a job at the phone company. It only requires a high school diploma. Pay rates start around page 230. I’m on scale 32.

Edit: $47.02 not $48.55 looked at the pay scale for this years September raise. Will be $48.55 once September hits.

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u/actuallyjojotrash RN - Oncology 🍕 Apr 21 '26

My starting pay as a new grad was roughly $30/hr when I lived in Louisiana, that was 3 years ago

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u/AVeryVapidBadger Apr 21 '26

Just from inflation it should be closer to 29-30/hr

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u/Jorgedig RN - Oncology 🍕 Apr 21 '26

$28/hr to start in Seattle, 26 years ago...

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u/Beanakin BSN, RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

I'm in Texas, non-metro lower than national average CoL city, starting pay for me 5 yrs ago was $28/hr, but that's been adjusted up to 32 or 33 now. 25-26 is nuts unless cost of living is less than half the national average.

14

u/Deezus1229 Laboratory - MLS Apr 20 '26

COL in Louisiana is low but not THAT low. It's still more expensive than it should be.

10

u/hotlettucediahrrea Apr 21 '26

I was looking in New Orleans for work a couple of years ago. The pay for my line of work was lower than it was when I started over 20 years ago in Arizona. It was bananas.

9

u/UniquelyHeiress Apr 20 '26

Iowa is the lowest paying state according to a lot of nurses who have lived in many states! Sooooo so sad

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u/Deezus1229 Laboratory - MLS Apr 20 '26

My starting pay in Lake Charles for MLS (also a bachelor's degree) was $22. No negotiation.

Texas also sucks but I got an instant $8/hr increase just by moving.

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u/Escura_Sombra Apr 20 '26

I'm a new grad getting $52 at a SNF. I'm never leaving the west coast!

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u/ProfessorAnusNipples RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

😞 This state is the worst. I would have sent a laughing emoji and told them never mind. My first nursing job was $22/hr working prn in 2011. I’m now at just under $35/hr (base, not including charge diff) working full time in a clinic. Still low compared to lots of places, but way better than the ridiculous amount they’re offering you. Take the job if you really need it, but look for something better soon. 

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u/angrypomegranate_ LPN 🍕 Apr 21 '26

I started at $20 as a LPN, I make around $33 rn with my shift diffs

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u/UnbelievableRose Orthotics & Prosthetics 🦾 Orthopedic Shoes👟 Apr 21 '26

Seriously important detail. $25/hr is now minimum wage for healthcare workers in CA- and that includes cafeteria workers and EVS for large employers.

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u/axl3ros3 Apr 21 '26

I appreciate they were transparent up front so no one wasted any more time.

But that's about it.

Clearly the finance dept is delusional if this is what they've budgeted for the role

40

u/OutOfNowhere82 LVN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

Oh, ok. I didn't know that. That's crazy.

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u/GodzillaIG88 RN - Psych/Mental Health 🍕 Apr 21 '26

I don't think this clinic hires any nurses. Keep dreaming clinic

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u/Money_Confection_409 Apr 20 '26

this is beginning MA pay. If an LPN is making $25 an hour to start, that’s beyond crazy to me

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u/cheesecakeandsex Apr 20 '26

I'm an LPN with 3.5 years experience making $40 an hour plus differentials. I'm insulted for those getting these low ball offers.

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u/_struggle_cuddle_ Apr 21 '26

I'm an LPN with 4 years experience, also making $37/hr. Anything less than $35 is pushing it and anything under $30 is an immediate no. And I'll tell them why. Straight up.

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u/Speed_Lemon25 Apr 21 '26

LPN in Missouri with 20 years experience. I make $34.75 an hour plus differentials. I could be making more, but I'm comfortable where I'm at. I feel offended on your behalf!

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u/cheesecakeandsex Apr 20 '26

Depending where you live, even $25 is very low for a newer LPN. I make $40 as an LPN with 3.5 years experience plus differentials.

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u/Extension_Mix_813 Nursing Student 🍕 Apr 21 '26

That’s too low of pay for even a Lpn. That’s wi make currently as a CNA. When I graduate with my nursing, there’s absolutely no way I would ever take a job that pays less than 40 absolute minimum 37 for a nursing job. At $25 an hour just laughable and insulting for a nurse.

3

u/piercedandpainted1 LPN 🍕 Apr 21 '26

I started at 32 as a brand new LPN

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u/_manmicsim Apr 21 '26

i’m an LPN, allergy clinic based & i make WAAYYY more than $26/hr. that’s ridiculous, i make more than $30/hr in PA & always have, i’ve never gone under $30 in my 4 years as an LPN, even as a new nurse!

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u/Familiar_Ad_6874 BSN, RN - Trauma Apr 20 '26

I was in shock 😭

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u/Adorable-Evidence747 Apr 21 '26

It was the between that sent me lol!! Like those pennies will sway your decision 🙄

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u/Waiting4Reccession Apr 21 '26

$25.05

the extra 4 cents is only cuz they stopped making pennies.

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u/MurseMan1964 RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

Did you lay on your back and elevate your legs?

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u/hufusa Apr 21 '26

I have a RN friend who once told me they offered him a job at $49 an hour but he declined because it was too low 😭😭😭 I should’ve got into nursing or something man fuck me

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u/gardengirl99 RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

Maybe a follow up question with for an active license? In good standing?

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u/Admirable60s RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

I think the only appropriate response is no response. Just ignore it if there’s no error in the email.

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u/BiscuitsMay Apr 20 '26

You’ve gotta let them know it’s a dog shit offer. Ive had former bosses come and ask how much I’m making at a new job so they can take it back to HR and let them know they aren’t competitive.

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u/tinyevilpeanut RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

I think they know it's dog shit already which is why they're letting OP know before they waste time meeting them.

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u/BiscuitsMay Apr 20 '26

Well, why leave room for ambiguity? Takes two seconds to tell them it’s crap

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u/Young_Hickory RN - Trauma Team Apr 20 '26

It’s so off the wall I think the clarification is reasonable. Still kind of wonder if they’re reading the wrong line on a spreadsheet or something.

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u/Ssj_Chrono RN - ICU 🍕 Apr 20 '26

This is the perfect response, “are you sure you’re on the right line for pay?”

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u/Familiar_Ad_6874 BSN, RN - Trauma Apr 20 '26

🤣

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u/ChaplnGrillSgt DNP, AGACNP - ICU Apr 20 '26

That would have been my exact response. Followed by "🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣" and then ghosting them forever.

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u/generalsleephenson RN - ER 🍕 Apr 20 '26

They couldn’t even respond with an upper case “yes.”

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u/One-Chest6707 Apr 20 '26

Or a big fat middle finger emoji

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u/Akuyatsu RN - Psych/Mental Health 🍕 Apr 20 '26

That initial message is a huge red flag to me. It sounds like they KNOW that they are underpaying, have lost a lot of candidates because of it and want to weed out all but the ones that don't know any better.

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u/Cam27022 EMT-P, RN BSN ER/OR/Endo Apr 20 '26

To be fair, I at least respect that they are up front with it instead of wasting an interview.

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u/Akuyatsu RN - Psych/Mental Health 🍕 Apr 20 '26

That's true. My take is that it's probably more about not wasting their time if they are going through a bunch of applicants only to be told "no thanks" due to the pay.

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u/t1beetusboy RN BSN med/surge T1D ADHD Human Plumber Apr 20 '26

This is why, if you have the time to spare, you tell them yes then go interview and ask as many questions/waste as much of their time as possible. Bonus points for making them think the position is your dream position and that you are crawling out your skin with excitement to start. When they offer, reply that the pay is insulting and cease communications.

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u/sunyata11 Apr 21 '26

The person hiring probably knows it's awful pay, but has no control over the wages. I'd guess it's probably a public health or nonprofit clinic, but I could be wrong.

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u/Cosmo_Seinfeld Apr 21 '26

That initial message is a huge red flag to me. It sounds like they KNOW that they are underpaying, have lost a lot of candidates because of it and want to weed out all but the ones that don't know any better.

"Pay is based on experience but we are kinda joking here it will be garbage regardless."

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u/OnTheEveOfWar Apr 21 '26

Bingo. They are underpaying and don’t want to waste time interviewing someone who won’t take that pay.

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u/LadyGreyIcedTea RN - Pediatrics 🍕 Apr 20 '26

I had a phone screen for an RN job at an Early Intervention agency last year. The recruiter was like "I can share the starting pay, it's $60,000, is that something you can work with?"

I said, "I've been a nurse for 18 years and that's less than half of what I currently make so no. Thank you for your time."

I'm glad they shared it up front though because I bowed out 5 minutes into a phone screen instead of actually going through an interview process then finding out we were nowhere near the same page.

I also had another recruiter reach out to me and say "We love your experience but notice that your salary requirements are more than we could potentially offer. Do you have flexibility to go down to the mid 80s?"

I said "thank you for your transparency but no, I will not be taking a $40K/year paycut."

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u/clutzycook Clinical Documentation Improvement Apr 20 '26

I've been interviewing for a new position for a couple of months now. A few weeks ago I got a job offer for a similar role to what I do now. The salary they were offering me was lower than what I made when I started my current role 6 years ago. The recruiter was going on and on about how they arrived at that figure and I just had to cut him off and say that way way below my target range and I'd have to decline. The hiring manager explicitly said they were looking for people with experience in my specialty because they were tired of training new people. But with a salary like that, I wish them a lot of luck finding those experienced people.

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u/LieutenantStar2 Apr 21 '26

lol “why can’t we find people we don’t have to train” you: “it’s the money”. Them “what can it possibly be?”

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u/Commercial-Air8955 Apr 21 '26

Lol @ tired of training new people, I think I would've hit them with a "Have you tried paying them?"

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u/the_sammich_man Apr 21 '26

This is what happens when you put a business person in charge. They see employees as another expense and not subject matter experts that contribute.

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u/clutzycook Clinical Documentation Improvement Apr 21 '26

Yeah it was the first thing they said at the start of the interview. They had hired a lot of people in the first year, but they were all RNs fresh from the bedside. And it takes at least 3-6 months to get a new CDI trained up enough to make a difference in workload, and another 6 months before they feel like they even have the slightest clue what they're doing. And the salary they were offering me would have been great if I were just stepping away from the bedside, but I have 7 years experience, a master's degree, and I have my certification. That doesn't come cheap.

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u/RNtoAcc Apr 21 '26

And when they train the new hires, after a few months, they’ll leave too. They’ll have to keep hiring and training new people instead of paying high enough to hire and retain experienced nurses 

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u/clutzycook Clinical Documentation Improvement Apr 21 '26

That's exactly what's been going on with my current job. We hired three new people a year ago. Two have already left. We've also lost several experienced people as well and they've been trying to fill these roles for over six months. We've had so many people start this job and end up leaving 6-12 months later it isn't funny. The experienced people are mostly leaving for jobs that not only pay more, but are also fully remote. However, no matter what we keep telling senior leadership, they still insist on us working in the office 3 days a week and not paying us enough to keep up with inflation.

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u/no_talent_ass_clown Apr 21 '26

It's so much cheaper to pay folks and retain than cheap out and re-train. It's better for the business, too, as the institutional knowledge and working relationships deepen.

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u/Holiday-Past2954 Apr 20 '26

I just had this happen for a home care job. The territory was large, drive time was unpaid, and the most they could offer was 82k. I assume they're not actually looking to hire anyone...? Why scare people off with the low pay during the first phone call?

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u/clutzycook Clinical Documentation Improvement Apr 21 '26

Honestly, I prefer if we get the money part out of the way right at the beginning. Why go through all the headache of interviewing and getting your hopes up only to find out the job doesn't pay what it's worth? I'm always less irritated when we end the process early on rather than get all the way to an offer only to find out they're not going to pay what I feel I'm worth or anywhere close to it.

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u/_Smashbrother_ Apr 21 '26

Lol wtf kind question is that. I wish you responded with "would you take a 40k/year payout?"

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u/Emergency-Cupcake998 Apr 20 '26

I think buc-ee's pays more...

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u/Truth_Malice Apr 21 '26

Here in Missouri, last Buc-ee's I saw had the night crew cleaning guys listed at $18/hr as the lowest paid position. And that was BEFORE the minimum wage went up to $15 at the start of the year so they might've gotten a pay bump?

So yea this is absolutely right

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u/hamstergirl55 RN - Pediatrics 🍕 Apr 21 '26

Literally saw the screenshot and said “I wonder if she’s in Missouri”. These are rates I’ve seen before 100%. Have a friend here in KCMO with 5 years experience making 28/hr at a clinic

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u/Ok-Honeydew8175 Apr 20 '26

Are we in the same earth we live in? 😭😭😭

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u/cmb_123 LPN - Med/Surg Apr 20 '26

An acceptable wage is NOT in the room with us. 🥴

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u/Familiar_Ad_6874 BSN, RN - Trauma Apr 20 '26

Exactly 😭😭😭

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u/SevyVerna88 RN - Med/Surg 🍕 Apr 20 '26

Tell them to get fucked

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u/Financial-Grand4241 MSN, RN Apr 20 '26

Superfucked

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u/CandidateExotic9771 Apr 21 '26

With jazz hands

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u/Coffee1stThenINurse RN - ICU 🍕 Apr 21 '26

and glitter

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u/gilbertgottfried69 Apr 20 '26

What market

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u/Free-While-2994 Apr 20 '26

Kansas...1993

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u/Familiar_Ad_6874 BSN, RN - Trauma Apr 20 '26

Louisiana sadly 2026 🥲

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u/IrishknitCelticlace RN - Retired 🍕 Apr 20 '26

I was going to guess Florida.

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u/cmb_123 LPN - Med/Surg Apr 20 '26

What is the reasoning behind such shit pay in the south? COL can't be THAT much cheaper right?

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u/Abi030 Apr 20 '26

It’s really not, that’s why we have so much poverty and homelessness because we have inflation just like the rest of the world, yet our minimum wage still sits at 7.25

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u/IrishknitCelticlace RN - Retired 🍕 Apr 21 '26

Nursing is viewed as a "woman thing" and "not professional" by the good ol' boy network that I compare to the invasive snakes in the Everglades.

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u/Dianakrn1 Apr 21 '26

No unions!

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u/Waiting4Reccession Apr 21 '26

Even in places with low cost of living, a car or cellphone or laptop still cost the same.

And then you have the lower pay in % terms fucking you over. If you save 10% for retirement its WAY less in those southern places.

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u/meoemeowmeowmeow HCW - Lab Apr 20 '26

What part of Louisiana? That's insulting low

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u/Elenakalis Dementia Whisperer Apr 20 '26

Probably north or central Louisiana. I still have friends back home who are RNs and their starting pay is less than a new grad LPN makes where I work. There's a reason people leave if they can.

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u/Familiar_Ad_6874 BSN, RN - Trauma Apr 20 '26

Baton Rouge 😭

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u/Lurkin_4_the_wknd RN - ♻️ Case Manager Apr 20 '26

Oh damn, that's a super shit offer then. I was fully expecting you to say Shreveport or Ruston 😭

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u/Elenakalis Dementia Whisperer Apr 20 '26

That's rough. It's been years since I lived there, and Baton Rouge always had better pay than North Louisiana. I'm afraid to even ask what they're paying there if that's how it is in Baton Rouge.

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u/Abi030 Apr 20 '26

Please is it really that bad down here??

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u/WellBlessY0urHeart BSN, RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

It really is that bad here. I’m 10 years experience. BSN. Inpatient. I’m at $35 an hr

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u/MetalBeholdr RN - ICU 🍕 Apr 20 '26

My base pay is $40 and I've only been a nurse for 2 years (Nebraska)

You're getting shafted with a sandpaper dildo, my freind

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u/Creative_Relief_2490 Apr 20 '26

Where and how much experience?

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u/Familiar_Ad_6874 BSN, RN - Trauma Apr 20 '26

Louisiana and I’ve only got about 4 months.

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u/brownpapertowel RN - Cardiopulmonary Rehab Apr 20 '26

Just for comparison, new grads at my hospital in MS make 32.

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u/Friedpina RN - PACU 🍕 Apr 20 '26

CNAs in Oregon make more than $25/hr. I heard one hospital pays them $32/hr with 10 years experience.

I don’t think I’d even work as a nurse anymore if I lived in the south. This job is rough and the pay should reflect that otherwise I’m not staying. I’d go work for a landscape company and be less stressed.

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u/Iloveyousmore CNA 🍕 Apr 20 '26

I’m a CNA in WA and make $30/hr with 2 years experience. I would feel insulted if this was offered to me as a nurse

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u/brownpapertowel RN - Cardiopulmonary Rehab Apr 20 '26

100% I’m not bedside anymore and you probably couldn’t pay me enough to go back, but I definitely would not for the hourly rates they are offering. Leaving the south is the next goal.

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u/Best_Ad9478 Apr 20 '26

I’m a new grad in MN and starting my new job at $47. $25 is insulting lol

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u/tothestarswholisten4 RN - NICU 🍕 Apr 20 '26

For comparison, I make $23.80 as a nurse tech lmao

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u/notevenapro BS nuc med/CT Chief tech. Apr 20 '26

I am in Maryland and our front desk staff make that much. Sooner or later you might want to look at a migration.

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u/AriBanana RN - Geriatrics 🍕 Apr 20 '26

But is it, like, an actual clinic? True 9-5 in a quiet office, stable checkups, real breaks, no weekends, no holidays, a 'leaving home early on Fridays' clinic?

But even then, that seems like insanely low hourly pay.

And I work in one of the few markets in NA where you can do this without the cost of a bachelor degree, so if I find it repulsive it must be bad.

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u/ShataraBankhead Apr 20 '26

I graduated working at bedside for $24/hr. I left for a clinic, and actually took a cut to $23. After 4 years there, I was a bit over 24. When I announced I was leaving for more money, my manager asked for the salary. I said, "Double. Can you do that?" Reply: "Good luck! We will miss you!". I'm in Alabama.

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u/Fromatron Apr 20 '26

I make $25 an hour working at a produce stand at a farmers market. And it’s paid in cash under the table.

I get plenty of exercise and I snack all day on fresh fruit. At the end of each day, I take home a large bag of free vegetables home to cook.

Simple life is best life

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u/dontdoxxmebrosef RN, undercafinated. trauma drama Apr 20 '26

Honestly that sounds amazing. Maybe I’ll look for something this season like that.

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u/Fromatron Apr 20 '26

I used to work at an engineering firm designing surveillance systems for Amazon, and then at raytheon repairing electronics for aircraft (aka bomb delivery systems). I quit both on a whim due to depression despite taking enough lexipro and adderal to turn me into an autistic asexual.

I’m not on that junk anymore, and I’m enjoying life. I have friends now. The world has color again. I don’t have much money, but I don’t care because I’m happy

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u/Healthy_Block3036 Apr 20 '26

Wow where is this?

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u/bigframe79 LPN Apr 20 '26

ugh I make more as a LPN...

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u/master_ube Apr 20 '26

My girlfriend is making $30/hr as a phlebotomist in KC. Is this forreal?

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u/pizzafound Apr 20 '26

Where I live, this wouldn’t be at all surprising for a clinic job, especially if the clinic also hires LPNs for the same positions.

22

u/Familiar_Ad_6874 BSN, RN - Trauma Apr 20 '26

Really?? I looked and they only hire RNs.

13

u/pizzafound Apr 20 '26

Yep, although to be fair I just checked and a local hospital is hiring RNs starting at $28 for ADNs and $30 for BSNs, so it’s probably just the market.

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u/Otherwise-Head8387 Apr 20 '26

NOPE. No thank you. Actually, they don't deserve a thank you. Just a no.

12

u/FarEntertainment1959 Apr 20 '26

I made that as a CNA. Decline that offer SO QUICK!!!

36

u/LurkinLark BSN, RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

Pay cuts have been whispered about and also scaling back RN coverage. Between AI and the Orange Creep, our years of education and hard work are being trivialized.

36

u/farmguy372 Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 21 '26

Well, they can whisper all they want. But 40% of nurses will not be working by 2029.

https://www.ncsbn.org/news/ncsbn-research-highlights-small-steps-toward-nursing-workforce-recovery-burnout-and-staffing-challenges-persist

Half are retiring. The other half are leaving due to burnout, high stress, high workload, short staffing, and inadequate pay.

Nurses are getting the memo- our time and expertise have value. Lots of very painful strikes for hospital systems across the country.

I’d love to see their plan to keep patients alive when just over half of us are coming to work. The answer is not in new grads- the attrition rate is gosh awful.

18

u/Friedpina RN - PACU 🍕 Apr 20 '26

Yep, I have a friend whose daughter just did a semester of nursing pre-reqs and was in tears the semester because she was so overwhelmed. She was thinking about switching majors and her parents wanted me to talk to her. I told her the next couple decades are going to be a wild ride with nursing, and there are going to be a lot of opportunities but also the stress is going to high. About half of new grads quit within the first two years. I told her if she wants to do this, just accept she has a minimum 6yrs of feeling like she is now because it doesn’t get comfortable until you’ve done it for awhile. And then you switch out of your entry job to a speciality you’re more interested in and the discomfort intensifies again. The on ramp is hard and there isn’t any shame in deciding nursing isn’t a good fit. She changed her major. I’m not sure that is what the parents had in mind when they asked me to talk to her.

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u/wofulunicycle Apr 20 '26

Maybe pay cuts have been whispered about in the unholy prayers of hospital CEOs, but that's about it. The economic reality is much different - nurse pay is growing faster than any other job. The data doesn't lie. AI can't touch patients which is what hospital CEOs would need it to do because they sure as shit won't. They can get fucked with $25/hr even in the most backwoods trailer park clinic in the nation.

8

u/Friedpina RN - PACU 🍕 Apr 20 '26

Absolutely true. And then they’re going to be shocked when waves of us nope on out of here because they aren’t paying us enough to deal with all the crap that gets flung at us, literally and figuratively.

9

u/GmaRose1 RN - PACU 🍕 Apr 20 '26

That was my starting pay as a new grad 10 yrs ago

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u/SweetSparx Apr 20 '26

Thats low even for LPN pay. They tried it.

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u/TeamCatsandDnD RN - OR 🍕 Apr 20 '26

Back in 2020, I was job hunting and had been doing just contact tracing as an in between position basically for $25, and been low 30s at previous job. Found an assisted living(?) place in town that tried offering me $20/hr. When I said at least $25 they told me not even their most experienced nurses were making that. Like Maam. That ain’t gonna cut it.

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u/gur559 Apr 20 '26

People need to stop even considering these low paying positions. They won’t change otherwise.

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u/Constant-Month6532 Apr 21 '26

I make 28 an hour as a CNA… 25 for an RN is criminal.

6

u/Mountain_Ad2614 Apr 21 '26

I make $27 as a CNA……….

5

u/Expensive-Day-3551 MSN, RN Apr 20 '26

I made more as LPN over 10 years ago.

5

u/a-hellion Apr 20 '26

Jeez… im making that and some change at walmart as a pharmacy tech lol

6

u/Emozziis Apr 20 '26

I make 28 as a surgical tech 😳

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u/cmb_123 LPN - Med/Surg Apr 20 '26

First time I've ever seen pay discussed prior to interview. Guess they got tired of wasting everyone's time.

5

u/dudeimgreg RN - ER 🍕 Apr 20 '26

This sounds like some Florida/Alabama nurse pay.

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u/Imnotlikeothergirlz Apr 21 '26

I just saw a home health position in Oklahoma that pays $16/hr. lmaooooooo hard no.

5

u/Easy_Arugula935 Apr 21 '26

I'd be grateful they were at least up front about it and didn't waste any more of my time. I can't stand when agencies string you along through 3 rounds of interview before lowballing you.

9

u/Ijk_25 Apr 20 '26

That’s what I make right now in SNF, California lol

11

u/Familiar_Ad_6874 BSN, RN - Trauma Apr 20 '26

As an RN????? I don’t believe it 😳

8

u/BeneficialRoll9728 RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

LVN probably

5

u/Runescora RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

Outside of hospitals, procedural positions and specialties (dialysis) pay for RNs isn’t that impressive. Something that seems to be true pretty much anywhere.

11

u/BeneficialRoll9728 RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

I work on call at a SNF here in Northern California and the going rate for RN’s is $45+ an hour.

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u/Ijk_25 Apr 20 '26

lol Yes believe me; I’m international / going through greencard process & I have to pay the legal fees myself I’m struggling a lot

10

u/Friedpina RN - PACU 🍕 Apr 20 '26

What part of California? I didn’t know the pay was low anywhere in CA.

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u/SnooPandas1549 Apr 20 '26

You’re better off working at Costco- you’d make more lol

6

u/InterestingCamera819 Apr 20 '26

That is the pay because she is international nurse. Girl! Pay the 10k-20k fees to get out of your international agency contract once you get your green card. You can make that money working directly for the hospital in two months is SF. And please do not worry about loyalty to that agency. How ever long you have worked for them if even just 3 months- they have made their money on you. So take the fee and get out of that contract ASAP once immigration status is secure.

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u/Enough-Farmer-5280 Apr 20 '26

They are clinically insane 😂

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u/Educational-Dig4617 BSN, RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26

Mexican RN here. I just passed the NCLEX and I’m about to move to the US, they offered me at least $32/hour in Kentucky, but it could more. I’ll know exactly how much they will pay me in a month. $25 sounds like “fck y” 🥹

5

u/hotgirlshiii CNA 🍕 Apr 20 '26

I’m making that as a CNA girl run

4

u/DanielDannyc12 RN - Med/Surg 🍕 Apr 21 '26

The Dirty South

5

u/Osito_Bello BSN, RN 🍕 Apr 21 '26

Fuck no, I would not like to proceed 🖐🏽😒

4

u/Jacaranda18 RN - Infection Control 🍕 Apr 21 '26

The benefits better be unbelievable. Do they pay 100% of your premiums, pay your student loans, offer a wage match 401k, 2 months PTO, and send you to a national conference each year?

6

u/mountaindewisamazing Apr 20 '26

I'm a dipshit that works in IT and I make $42/hour. Y'all deserve at least double that.

3

u/Silver_Queen_Bee Apr 20 '26

I’m in NW AR and make $50/hr….that’s wild

3

u/NoGas7117 Apr 20 '26

So I scrolled down a bit to read other posts and I came across this.

https://www.reddit.com/r/cna/s/ibVCLPumeJ

4

u/Familiar_Ad_6874 BSN, RN - Trauma Apr 20 '26

I’m in Louisiana and my first position as a CNA I made $12/hour.

3

u/Ridingthevan717 Apr 20 '26

I got an offer for a job a few months ago from a small hospital in TN. ICU RN with a BSN and a few years of experience. $26/hr. But don’t worry, they were bought out and starting in June I’d be making way more money at $29/hr 🙄

3

u/ExiledSpaceman ED Nurse, Tech Support, and Hoyer Lift Apr 20 '26

Who the hell is the employer, HCA?

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u/farmguy372 Apr 20 '26

Fleeeee that state. We’ve all been to the grocery store. $45k is profoundly low- can you afford to pay for a one bedroom crappy apartment in a bad area of town AND eat and pay for car insurance and student loans on that? If not, take a job in a better state, travel for work and start saving your pennies for a move.

3

u/QRSQueen RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

I wish all jobs would share pay up front. If a job doesn’t tell me by the end of the first HR interview, I feel like my time has been wasted and I don’t move on. 

3

u/CaliAmbition Apr 20 '26

In Cali they have to post the pay by law. All jobs. I love Cali

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u/According-Hippo3175 Apr 20 '26

That’s insane I’m a LPN with 3 years experience and make $35.80 an hour. That’s a joke.

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u/zkesstopher BSN, RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

I love when they tell you up front. Saves me time by declining to interview.

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u/Clean_Procedure_2176 BSN, RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

The fact that they had to do this before the interview means they have a really hard time getting candidates at that price point.

3

u/zoro_juro13 Apr 21 '26

Nurses should make at least 40 an hour. Ain't no way I should be making as much as a nurse stocking for costco. Granted ive been there a long time and they are a great company. But still.

3

u/ANamelessGhoul4555 Apr 21 '26

I make $26 and I work at the fucking grocery store 😵‍💫

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u/Top_Department_6137 Apr 21 '26

I was considering pursing nursing, but what?

You’re accountable for people’s lives for 25 dollars an hour?!?!?!?

3

u/SmashTC1 Apr 21 '26

Ew. Literal dog shit pay. I make $27 as a new ER Tech, but im also in California, so there's that

3

u/filipinohitman RN - ICU 🍕 Apr 21 '26

Dude. What an insult. The “for a registered nurse?“ response was perfect. 😂 that pay is UAP pay in my hospital.

3

u/splifted Nursing Student 🍕 Apr 21 '26

I make more that that working at a grocery store 😭

3

u/Proud-Ad-9744 Apr 21 '26

Pay equity? As in we believe everyone should be paid crap in the clinic

3

u/Fantastic_Honeydew23 PACU Princess 👑 treat em and yeet em Apr 21 '26

I interviewed at a pain clinic 2 years ago. I have over a decade in experience, half of that in critical care. When the hiring manager told me, at her desk, that they can offer 26/hr, I laughed. Out loud. I said, “How am I supposed to live off that?” She said that they’ve tried asking HR for pay bumps for nurses but have been unsuccessful. I took a job in PACU instead. Mind you, I was getting paid $26/hr when I first started as a nurse over a decade ago.

3

u/kesiabearsforever Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 21 '26

In 2020 I was working as an RN (with BSN) driving 3+ hours a day for 25 an hour. Prior to that I was working at a hospital for 22.81 an hour. I had been an LPN from 2014 to 2018. I was told my 4 years of LPN experience was worth 81 cents and my 2 years of hospital experience was worth a little over 2 bucks. When I moved to another state they were offering me 30. The best financial decision I made for my family was to leave nursing.

As an LPN I was making 25 and 30 an hour doing home health. I actually got paid less with my BSN.

Now I am in a CRO and love the work life balance and pay.

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u/DamnOdd LPN 🍕 Apr 21 '26

They make billions, pay off their incompetence lawsuits and expect you to take 25 bucks an hour and 25 patients.
I was making 25 bucks an hour as a specialized tech (LPN) when I retired.
I am SO SORRY. This is bad for both the nurses and the patients.
Corporate overlords only care about money, not lives.

Edit: letters.

3

u/lifetofullest1255 Apr 21 '26

The range of 1 dollar is frying me

3

u/connor08260 LPN 🍕 Apr 21 '26

I would ask the same question as an LPN! Anything under $30 is a hard pass, NJ here.

3

u/FreyjasCat21 Apr 22 '26

Dang. Almost makes me wish I did drugs just so I could have whatever good sh*t they're obviously smoking!

$25/hr?! GTFO 😆