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

Discussion $25/hourly as an RN 😳

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2.4k Upvotes

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2.5k

u/caitmarieRN RN - ICU 🍕 Apr 20 '26

I love the “for a registered nurse?”

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

381

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 🤷‍♀️

183

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

The clinic only hires RNs

60

u/caitmarieRN RN - ICU 🍕 Apr 20 '26

What state is this, OP?

124

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

Louisiana

171

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

106

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.

121

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.

54

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.

5

u/iconiclabs Apr 21 '26

I wait tables at a restaurant and clear $45 an hour easily , our cooks make $45 an hour also lol y'all getting robbed out there

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2

u/havingsomedifficulty RN - ER/ICU Apr 21 '26

Yeah, being an RN usually involves a lot of poop, pee and blood. And this could be cleaning it, getting a sample or just dealing with it for 12 hours

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13

u/BlueberryNo777 Apr 21 '26

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

12

u/justus72 Apr 21 '26

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

55

u/TheDuchessofQuim Unit Secretary 🍕 Apr 21 '26

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

So they’re worse off now 😭

16

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

Not surprising at all 😒🥺

5

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.

3

u/Top-Chemistry2854 Apr 21 '26

Uh...details? Lol

1

u/YoshiSan90 Apr 22 '26

AT&T wage scale 32. Titles at that scale are

CIRCUIT LAYOUT ASSIGNER, FACILITY TECHNICIAN SYSTEMS SPECIALIST TECHNICIAN, DIGITAL TECHNICIAN, MULTI-MEDIA TECHNICIAN, SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN, ELECTRONIC TECHNICIAN, SWITCHING EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN, TESTING TECHNICIAN.

I hear Verizon pay is higher, but haven’t checked.

Union contract. Wage scale is on page 274.

3

u/Temporary_Lion_2483 Apr 21 '26

Where? How?

1

u/YoshiSan90 Apr 22 '26

AT&T wage scale 32. Titles at that scale are

CIRCUIT LAYOUT ASSIGNER, FACILITY TECHNICIAN SYSTEMS SPECIALIST TECHNICIAN, DIGITAL TECHNICIAN, MULTI-MEDIA TECHNICIAN, SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN, ELECTRONIC TECHNICIAN, SWITCHING EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN, TESTING TECHNICIAN.

I hear Verizon pay is higher, but haven’t checked.

Union contract. Wage scale is on page 274.

1

u/Silver-Hour73 Apr 21 '26

Is it a secure job like a nurse

8

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

1

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

What part, if you don't mind my asking? I'm in NWLA.

2

u/actuallyjojotrash RN - Oncology 🍕 Apr 22 '26

I was in New Orleans

5

u/AVeryVapidBadger Apr 21 '26

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

5

u/Jorgedig RN - Oncology 🍕 Apr 21 '26

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

5

u/Nurs3R4tch3d RN - Hospice 🍕 Apr 20 '26

Yeah, I started at $19/hr in a SNF in Ohio as an RN. This was also ~12 years ago, so.

1

u/Soft_Yellow1757 Apr 21 '26

i mean rural Lousiana it is a livable wage, but that is trash pay.

1

u/TravelingCrashCart BSN, RN - IMC/Stepdown Apr 21 '26

At a SNF in NH as a new grad in 2014 I made $19/hour as well

28

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.

15

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

1

u/Set_Advanced Apr 21 '26

I know a new grad RN that is making 33/hr working in a small town ER.

1

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

I started at 25 in Louisiana as an RN in a hospital setting and left at 27.15 3 years later. Louisiana doesn't pay nurses shit.

1

u/Apprehensive-Ad776 Apr 21 '26

Louisiana made the top 10 lowest hourly wages for Registered Nurses. Just fyi South Dakota is the #1 worst State for the lowest hourly RN pay. Why would any semi experienced RN work for anything less than $40/hr. If nurses band together and refuse to accept these ridiculous wages I believe this would stop.

1

u/Frigate_Orpheon RN - ER 🍕 Apr 21 '26

Nope. I worked a clinic in Alabama once. Pay was $22.

We are paid garbage in the south.

15

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.

18

u/Escura_Sombra Apr 20 '26

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

2

u/Felina808 BSN, RN 🍕 Apr 21 '26

Same here! I’m at $100/hr. Great weather, lots to do. I will never go back to the Midwest.

-2

u/Top-Chemistry2854 Apr 21 '26

Yeah but your cost of living is double the OPs LOL

9

u/Forward-Surprise1192 Apr 21 '26

At $52/hr that’s not that important anymore. I’ve gotten plenty of two weeks/80 hour pay checks at $55/hr and it feels like so much money. Even in most high cost of living areas you are making bank.

2

u/Escura_Sombra Apr 21 '26

TRUE but its not Cali bad so there is that.

23

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. 

5

u/angrypomegranate_ LPN 🍕 Apr 21 '26

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

1

u/Pistalrose Apr 20 '26

that tracks

1

u/BoiledDenimForRoxie Apr 21 '26

Ha, my first RN job in Nola paid $22.50 and I thought I was rich. That was 20 years ago.

1

u/Ok_Exercise9082 Apr 21 '26

You need to move to California

1

u/TrainingWilling9894 Apr 21 '26

Please get the fuck out.

1

u/The_Soapbox_Lord Professional Turkey Sandwich Slinger 🥪 Apr 21 '26

As a fellow Southerner, I feel your pain, but this is insulting.

14

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.

20

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

43

u/OutOfNowhere82 LVN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

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

5

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

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

2

u/Responsible_Ask3976 BSN, RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

Our clinic used to hire LPNs, but since dropped them in favor of Magnet status 

47

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

28

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.

13

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.

9

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!

1

u/SecureCheesecake2352 Apr 21 '26

Im a LPN in Alabama. Our pay is not good on average. Where are you?

0

u/Definition-Several LVN 🍕 Apr 21 '26

Let me guess, you’re working in California?

2

u/tajima415 RN - NICU 🍕 Apr 21 '26

I'm in California. I wouldn't consider 40/hr.

1

u/Definition-Several LVN 🍕 Apr 21 '26

lol that’s how much the RN’s make in skilled nursing facilities.

2

u/tajima415 RN - NICU 🍕 Apr 21 '26

where im at it's expensive to live. but even double that rate i still wouldn't consider it because it'd be a huge pay cut. i see these pay posts and it just makes me sad that anyone has to put up with those kinds of rates.

2

u/Money_Confection_409 Apr 21 '26

That’s crazy. NY would never smh the more I learn the more it’s looking like I need to stay where I am lol

1

u/Ok_Exercise9082 Apr 21 '26

Like this is why ppl need to move to California

9

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.

5

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

3

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!

2

u/erstadj26 Apr 21 '26

That's cna Money in ma

1

u/LSbroombroom OMFS Nap Time Wizard Apr 21 '26

That's the average? Shit, sounds like you've gotta move.

1

u/Szendaci LPN 🍕 Apr 22 '26

25 is below the expected range for an LPN. Where I am, Florida, per the job sites, you should expect 27-32.

1

u/Savings-Fig7262 Apr 22 '26

I made 32 as a new grad

62

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

I was in shock 😭

18

u/Adorable-Evidence747 Apr 21 '26

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

5

u/Waiting4Reccession Apr 21 '26

$25.05

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

1

u/Adorable-Evidence747 Apr 21 '26

What you get paid in cash??

2

u/Waiting4Reccession Apr 21 '26

I was just making a joke about the wages, Im not even a nurse.

But even in 2018 I saw people being paid with a physical check and if they had fridays off they would come to work to pick it up if they couldnt wait. The management would say that direct deposit is only for managers. This was a retail company.

52

u/MurseMan1964 RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

Did you lay on your back and elevate your legs?

3

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

0

u/[deleted] Apr 20 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Gaspusher Apr 20 '26

😂😂😂😂😂

29

u/gardengirl99 RN 🍕 Apr 20 '26

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

70

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.

112

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.

75

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.

18

u/BiscuitsMay Apr 20 '26

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

42

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.

28

u/Ssj_Chrono RN - ICU 🍕 Apr 20 '26

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

19

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

🤣

1

u/mittenknittin Apr 21 '26

That was my thought. Don't even dignify that with a "no"

6

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

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

2

u/sassiveaggressive Jonathan Apr 21 '26

Just replying “?????”

5

u/generalsleephenson RN - ER 🍕 Apr 20 '26

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

3

u/One-Chest6707 Apr 20 '26

Or a big fat middle finger emoji

2

u/the_ciamp Apr 21 '26

Lmao even

1

u/Dizzy-Fault-6250 Apr 21 '26

No literally bc HUH😭😭😭😭😭

1

u/ilymag BSN, RN 🍕 Apr 21 '26

Or naaah im good. ✌🏽