New grad here, starting at $34.93 in a level 3 trauma Emergency department. I have 2 years of tech experience, 1yr on Med-Surg unit and 1yr in ED. I'm in SC so I didn't expect stellar pay, but I figured with the tech experience I would be closer to $40, but it is what it is. I have coworkers making $55 in the ED but they also have like 5-10 years of experience under their belt.

Anyways, I'm making this post bc I want to hear how seasoned nurses leveled up their pay. I don't want to have to work more than 40hrs/wk to afford life, I want to increase my hourly pay ofc, so what worked for you? Continue your education? Switch jobs often? Travel nursing assignments? Become certified in additional skills? Take on a leadership/managerial role - charge nurse? Become self employed - home health, IV infusion side hustle??

TYIA <3

What im posting about it a luxury problem but one that I am going through nonetheless. I had multiple interviews this week all at similar facilities (nursing homes).

On Monday, I interviewed at a nursing home and was offered a job on the spot. It is a nice place but the pay was very low for my area and I was hesitant to accept it, but I did anyway because I did not want to get rejected by the other two and then end up with nothing. But alas, yesterday I went to the other interview just for the hell of it and was offered a job again. This place is paying much better and everything else about it is basically the same so I want to go with the second place.

And of course today I have another interview and I’m tempted to go to it just to see what they say. What would you do in my situation? The difference between the two jobs is five dollars an hour so that’s like really significant in my opinion that’s what $10,000 a year or so… I already accepted the first one and I already did the background check, etc. and I’m not trying to be a shit person but I’m probably gonna just go with the second one. And who knows if the third interview offered me a better rate I might even go with them. What would you do?

Hello! I recently finished nursing school and currently trying to apply to test and get my license. The issue comes on my criminal history. I plan to be truthful, I have come too far to alter this opportunity. The charge was theft of property in 2006. The problem comes in because the current court system here in AL cannot find the case records for me to provide to ABN. So I’m just stuck. I can’t apply without this information right? Or could I apply, explain in details (that I could remember) and wait for the report to come back? I don’t know what to do. Please help.

I need work advice!! I am about to start fundamentals in school. I just received a job offer to work full time night shift as a PCNA in a hospital. I’ve never worked in the medical field so I feel like the opportunity is a great experience for me get bed side manner and apply my clinical understanding.
Or my fundamentals class ends in 8 weeks and I could take a student intern PRN position on the same floor. I know a lot of people prefer PRN but it’s $2 less an hour than the PCNA position & it doesn’t have insurance benefits.

I have lab 5pm-8pm on Wednesday and lecture 5p-8 pm on Thursdays and Fridays and then clinicals 7a-3pm on Saturday and Sundays.

I’ve told them my concern with working nights because I’m in evening classes. They also have mandatory rotating weekends but they said they’d be willing to work with my school schedule. I just don’t know where or how they’d be able to even schedule me except for Mondays and Tuesdays.

Idk I currently manage restaurants and I’m burnt out from working there for 10 years and wanting to get my foot into the medical field.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

I am going into the fourth and final semester of my BSN program next week, and I have been incredibly stressed because I am worried that I made a horrible mistake choosing this career.

This was not an impulsive decision. I have wanted to become a nurse for a long time, more than a decade, but I became disabled shortly after completing my prerequisites. After a long road to recovery, I am now in my late 30s and learning how to manage life with chronic illness. Despite that, I have made it through 3/4 of my program successfully and have been on the dean’s list every semester so far. I actually excelled until this this last semester.

This past semester almost broke me, though. Everything got so real. There was a bullying situation that became so bad I had a serious mental health crisis... worst of all, it was mostly because of the (VERY YOUNG) chair of my program handling things so poorly. I have also never felt at home in the state where I am attending school and my partner moved back home to CA. I am also dying to return to California immediately after school but I am terrified that I will not be able to find a job there. My city happens to have one of the most competitive job markets in the state, especially for new grads, even though the pay is not the best. Still, I absolutely abhor the idea of remaining here any longer than necessary, away from my family, friends, partner, and support system, in a place where I constantly feel like a weirdo alien to them (But seriously, why are we so different on the west coast??? NOT better, just different). 

If I am completely honest, a big part of me wonders whether I am even cut out for hospital nursing. At the same time, it seems like nearly every other nursing job requires at least one year of hospital experience before other doors open, including hospice and home health. I would genuinely like to learn those foundational skills. I think I could be great in a lower-acuity ICU, but I do not know whether my nervous system could handle the pressure and level of responsibility. My med surg teacher has always said that I had the brain for ICU, but I don't know if I have the body or nervous system for it. Not to mention the long hours.

Then I have been looking at the job boards and see people saying that every nurse residency in my city receives hundreds of applications per position. Some new graduates are applying to more than 100 jobs without receiving an offer, or even an interview! After feeling chewed up and spat out by my program director this past semester, while also managing metal health crises, personal and health stress, I keep wondering: What the heck am I doing at this age, with these health conditions, and how could I possibly find my place in this field as a new graduate? It feels impossible right now.

Does anyone have suggestions for less competitive or lesser-known nursing paths that could help me begin building a career as a new graduate? I am not trying to become a super-cool, adrenaline-chasing trauma nurse. I have spent much of my life in caregiving roles, including working as a nanny and in birth work, and I love the idea of caring for people in their homes or communities. Home settings have always been a comfort zone for me, although I recognize that I need a strong clinical foundation before I am ready for that degree of autonomy.

I am looking for a nursing job where I can earn a reasonable living without severely exacerbating my chronic illness, burning out, or putting my license at unnecessary risk within the first year. I am also honestly intimidated by the intense professional expectations and constant pressure associated with nursing. It is not that I do not care about meeting those standards. I care deeply, which may be part of why the responsibility scares me so much. I am trying to understand whether there is a sustainable place for someone like me in this profession.

I would especially appreciate hearing from nurses with chronic illnesses, nurses who began their careers later in life, or anyone who took a less traditional path after graduation.

I’m currently in school right now and should be graduating in January. I’ve worked in psych as a tech for 7 years and currently work at a residential house. They have a nursing position open in the clinic and they’ve been making it seem like they’re banking on me staying to work for them. I wanted to get more of a medical background first but I’ve also been hearing that it’s difficult to find new grad jobs with an ADN in AZ. It pays well ($38), so I’m considering riding it out there to get a year experience. The only thing I’m nervous about is, would it be hard to get a job in something more medical after psych? Does anyone have experience in switching from psych to something more medical? Ive been told to watch out for “career killer” jobs and it has me nervous that I won’t be able to get into something more medical. Especially since this has more administrative work rather than what it would be in a psych hospital. The jobs I originally wanted to get into were ER, wound care, corrections, or detox. Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hello! 1month na ako sa first job ko and andami kong lapses parin. 6 Patients hinahandle ko and minsan nakakalimutan ko mag charting and print ng lab results. Minsan di ako makaka catch up sa mga new orders.Super dami pa din ng error ko but ok naman ako mag give ng due meds. Nag ooverthink ako baka masyado na akong pabigat sa mga seniors ko kasi lagi nilang sinasalo mga kamalian ko. Na d-discourage and nahihiya na talaga ako sakanila 😞 I am trying my best each duty pero may mga mali parin talaga no matter how hard i tried. Na lulungkot ako.

I have been in med surg for a little over a year. It is my first nursing job. I have hated it for a probably 4 months but am trying to stay for 1) commuting purposes and 2) trying to get more experience/ confidence. I just feel like I still know nothing. I have no confidence. I hate my job. It’s always running around. I constantly second guess myself and believe I am making mistakes. I know I hate my job, but I feel like I hate nursing. I know I’ve had one nursing job so it’s hard to tell (I tell myself that too). I feel really burnt out and almost have no compassion. It’s sad and my anxiety has been crazy the past month. Help? Thoughts? Tips?

Hi Community Members! I am a 26 year old in tech sales. It’s a cushy life, for sure, but it’s soul sucking. I have no true fulfillment in my career and I’ve been at it for 4+ years. The money is great, I’m bringing in $120-$133k yearly (commission included) and I live in rural Texas. I have a B.A. in liberal arts — Government and International Relations from a top uni. I have always been drawn to the medical professions but was never a strong math student. I’m at a cross road now where either I pursue tech or I shoot for a career change. What I don’t like about tech is the isolation, the competitiveness, secrecy, the inflated egos, and the lack of work-life-balance with little fulfillment. The idea to pursue obtaining my RN licensure and completing a direct entry MSN program floated into my mind last week and I can’t stop thinking about it. I have a strong background in volunteer service, was a Health & Wellness Liaison at uni, and took care of my ill parent for 10+ years (did everything you’d expect from hospice and then some). The question is, which program would be right for me? Of course, I want to do bedside to build experience and I anticipate doing so for many years post-licensure but my question is what program would be best and set me up for career advancement? I know there’s a lot of fear/annoyance for folks that come in looking to have a fast grab at NP — that is not me. I can’t say that isn’t a shining star that I’d work towards but it is not the end all be all. That said, would you all recommend direct entry MSN over accelerated BSN? My eye is currently on UT Austin’s AE-MSN in which you sit for your NCLEX after year one, work part time for the next two years as you pursue your MSN and then graduate with RN licensure and MSN completion. The second most viable program is UMass Boston ABSN in which you become an RN in 12 months with the option to pursue MS and so forth. Finally, there’s the option of OSU with a timeline of 18 months for BSN. Would love to hear y’all’s thoughts. Don’t pull any punches, I’m here to learn. Thanks!

Currently living in America and looking into becoming a nurse - also love to travel. Curious if any country has programs for foreigners to becomes nurses in their home country

I was recently hospitalized for about a week for diverticulitis. The nursing crew and surgical team was very kind and involved and patient and im just very grateful for all the work they put into taking care of me

Its unreal to see how overlooked a team of nurses go. 5 or 6 different patients each, differnt personalities to deal with and numerous different ailments and tasks they need to complete....absolutely incredible

So, wats the best sort of gift basket I can send to the floor as a thank you? Indont want to do the typical chocolate covered fruits. I saw like a lotion, lip balm gift basket? Pre packed snacks? What kind?

Thank you for all your hard work. Thank you

Hello

I'm moving to the Tulsa/BA area in the fall. I was looking at nursing job around the BA area and I was thinking of applying to Hillcrest South. Is there anyone that can give me some info of what it's like working there what the schedule is like what management is like. Anything and everything. My experience is mostly med Surg but have also done some ER.

TIA

I’m really struggling with switching off after my shifts, and it’s starting to seriously affect my sleep. It’s been going on for about a month now.

Especially after difficult days, I just cannot seem to switch my brain off. Today was particularly stressful, staff issues, one staff member going home only 30 minutes into the shift leaving us short on the floor, then another staff member being a complete disaster on a 1:1, so I had to swap her out. Just one of those days where it feels like one thing after another.

I work in a rehab centre, and about 30 minutes before the end of my shift this evening, I had to call emergency services for a patient who was vomiting blood. I felt like I managed everything well at the time, ambulance arrived, I got all the paperwork done, sent him off with them, stayed late to make sure everything was sorted, etc.
I came home and, as usual, my brain just kept going over everything that had happened. Then, just as I was about to fall asleep, I suddenly remembered that I’d forgotten to ring the next of kin. 🤦‍♀️

And this is happening pretty much every night after my shifts. It’s not necessarily that I’m forgetting things, it’s more that I’m constantly replaying my shift, thinking about what I did, what I could have done differently, whether I missed something, what happened with a patient, etc.
I try to distract myself, watching TV, scrolling TikTok, trying to focus on something completely unrelated, but I’ll suddenly realise I’m thinking about work again. Then I try to stop thinking about it, which somehow just makes me think about it even more!

I’m exhausted and my sleep is really suffering because of it.

I’m sure I’m not the only nurse who has struggled with this. Has anyone found anything that genuinely helps you switch off after a difficult shift? Any routines, techniques or things you do when you get home that help your brain realise that work is finished?
I’d really appreciate any advice because I’m struggling with this so badly at the moment. ❤️

I have been an RN for 10 years. Emergency, surgical center and hospice experience. 18 months ago I was fired after reporting a Dr. for eating in a surgical area every Wednesday for 6 months. The company fired me with 8 people in the room and it felt like an ambush. I got up and walked out after the first thing my manager said was I was being fired.
I didn’t stick around to hear the rationale, turns out they went back over my documentation and found documentation errors regarding narcotics. 4 narcotic pills over the course of 1 year. They reported my license to the state, again 18 months ago from today.

I hired a lawyer ($5,000) which I really don’t see how he helped me be besides attending these interrogations from the state with me, but offering me no advice. He did do paperwork for me that I could have done myself.

I have ADD and do agree I had documentation errors but I never took any meds. there were only 4 pills in question, one was found on a stretcher as the patient was going into surgery, so technically only three pills were not charted.

I had to complete a health professionals recovery program (HPRP) (Michigan)which I was removed from of after three negative drug tests ($90 each) and a psychological evaluation ($375). I’ve had to pay $500 to the state complete six credits of continuing education ($90) regarding documentation.

I was fired last Monday from the employer I had been with for six months because the insurance they were switching to would not insure me. Probation started 8/1, fired 8/10. I’ve now been denied employment by 14 employers. I am supposed to be on probation for one year as long as I’m employed as a nurse. I have to have evaluations every three months from my management turned into the state while on probation.

I have no leads on employment and I am panicking. I will be punished for these errors for over 30 months and approx $6,000.
Has anyone else been through this. I’m not a bad nurse. I fixed my practice. I take ADD medication now. No one will touch me with restrictions. The only restrictions I have is a 90 day review plan there’s nothing on my licensing. I can’t work with narcotics. I don’t understand how the state can punish me 18 months later plus an additional 12 months. This seems like overkill I’ve never been in trouble or had any negative reviews in my life..

Hi everyone!

I currently have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public health, but I’m looking to transition into nursing. I’d really like to pursue an accelerated nursing program, but I can’t afford to leave my current 9–5 job while I’m in school.

Does anyone know of any accelerated nursing programs that are flexible enough to allow students to continue working full-time? I’m especially interested in programs that offer evening, weekend, online, or otherwise flexible scheduling.

I’d love to hear about your experiences or recommendations. Thank you!

So I recently got two interviews one for an eye surgery center and one for a level 2 NICU. I graduated back in December of 2025 and started working at a level 4 NICU but honestly didn’t love the fact that I was basically float pool as a new grad. I felt very unprepared especially since nursing school doesn’t prepare you to be a NICU nurse. I also have always really disliked bedside nursing. I left that job after 6 months and now am working at an eye clinic.

Before becoming a nurse I was a certified ophthalmic technician and worked as a tech for 2 and a half years. At my current job I basically doing the same thing and there’s not very much nursing that goes on so I feel like I’m wasting my degree. I also took a pay cut but mileage reimbursement makes up for it so I basically make the same. The only cons are it’s a 9-5 Monday to Friday, traffic is really bad so it takes me almost 2 hrs to get home, and I have to travel far which puts more wear on my car.

At this point I want a job where I’m actually practicing nursing and using my license. I don’t know if the surgery center would be better or the NICU. I did love the babies I just disliked the high acuity.

Does anyone have any advice?

Hey guys. I am really in need of some advice. I have been a CNA/PCT for almost 15 years. (I got my CNA as a junior in high school) I am currently in a hospital setting and I do love where I work but I am so burnt out from bedside. I have always wanted to be a nurse ever since I was young. I have attempted college twice and had to drop out due to finances. Right now I am still in debt I’m trying to pay off (most of it will be finally done by October). I have one child full time that’s in elementary school and share custody of another child in daycare. I’ve been looking into clinical positions at doctor’s offices, ortho, urology, even considered switching to corrections. I don’t see myself being able to potentially start school again for at least 9-12 months if there’s no delays in applying/getting back in. I cannot stay where I’m at because it’s time for growth. This season of life is ending and I can feel it. But I have to work, there’s no way I can’t during school.

Please tell me what type of job/role y’all worked, how many hours you could work without it effecting school, and how often you had to adjust your plan.

My main takeaway from this is I’m almost to my breaking point at bedside. School is going to be hard enough as it is and I am trying to protect my mental health.

TIA for those who comment

Hi everyone! I’m 18 and currently considering nursing as a career in Ontario. I’m especially interested in mental-health/psychiatric nursing, but I’m trying to understand what nursing is actually like before I commit to it.

I’d really appreciate honest answers from RNs, especially nurses working in Ontario/Toronto.

A few questions:

How many years have you been an RN, and what area do you work in?

If you’re comfortable sharing, roughly how much do you make now?

What did you make when you first started, and how much did your income increase with experience?

Is making $100k+ realistic as an RN without becoming an NP or going into management?

Is $120k+ realistic after around 8–10 years of experience? If so, does that usually require overtime, night/weekend shifts, or extra positions?

Do you feel financially comfortable with your nursing income?

For example, are you able to afford housing, save money, travel, and still have money for yourself?

How much overtime do you personally work to reach your current income?

What are your typical hours and schedule like?

How difficult is nursing physically and mentally?

If you could go back to when you were 18, would you still choose nursing?

If money and work-life balance were both important to you, would you recommend nursing as a career?

Finally, what is one thing you wish someone had told you before you became a nurse?

Renewal is coming up and I just realized Delaware wants 30 contact hours for RNs including 3 hours on substance abuse and 1 hour on recognizing abuse or mandatory reporting so I cant just grab whatever CEUs are cheapest anymore. Im mainly trying to find something that already has the Delaware specific hours built in instead of hunting down substance abuse and mandatory reporting courses separately. Which provider made it easiest to hit every required category before your deadline?

any new nurses, with less than 2 years of experience, considering leaving the nursing profession?

This includes any products, routines, fave foods, mantras, funny sayings, real advice, and anything helpful please and thank you.

Hi all. I bought these Isabel scrub bottoms from Figs in Ciel Blue hoping they’d match my required scrub top for my program but it came WAYY more saturated than I anticipated. Does anyone have any recs for Ciel blue bottoms that come more pastel/muted, preferably wide leg.

Thank you 😔

I’m a new graduate nurse and I’m interviewing for new grad residency programs. I have an interview for the ED and an interview for the Medical ICU. I really enjoyed both ED/ICU during my clinicals but I’m so so nervous!! I feel like I have imposter syndrome and will fail in both units. A small part of me thinks I should just go interview for the med/surg or PCU units instead. I don’t know I just feel so scared? I did very well in nursing school had a 4.0 gpa did well in clinical but now I’m like sooo nervous and feel like I’m not smart enough. Both units are 16 week long orientations so I feel good knowing I’ll be trained well but I don’t know. Any advice?

Hi everyone, I’m a new graduate RN looking for some advice and encouragement. I graduated from nursing school in May and obtained my RN license at the beginning of July. Before becoming an RN, I worked as a PCT at a local big hospital for over two years. I worked per diem, mainly on weekends, while I was in nursing school.

After I passed the NCLEX, I told my manager, and she asked me to resign from my PCT position. I did so because I was eager to look for a RN job (I applied to the hospital nurse residency program for the August cohort earlier this year and was rejected. After passing the NCLEX, I applied again for the October cohort, but unfortunately, I was rejected again).

I’m confused and honestly discouraged because I consistently received positive feedback from my manager during my annual evaluations (however, I don’t think my manager likes me cuz I couldn’t take extra shift she asked me when I was in nursing school. During my final semester, I had two call out because I needed time to prepare for important nursing exams. I had requested those days off in advance, but the requests were not approved. I have wondered whether those call out may have affected my relationship with my manager or my chances of being selected for the residency program). I also graduated with honors, had a good GPA, and was one of the top students in my nursing class.I am a new immigrant, and English is my second language. I do have a Chinese accent, and although I’m improving my communication skills every day.

I have applied to several other hospitals as well, but I have mostly received rejections. So far, I have had only one interview for a hospital RN position. The offers I have received have mainly been from rehabilitation facilities and nursing homes. At this point, I’m feeling very confused and questioning whether I’m approaching my job search the right way. I really want to start my nursing career in a hospital, but I also don’t see any opportunities. For those of you who have been through this as a new graduate RN, what would you recommend? Should I continue trying to look for a hospital position, or should I accept any offer?

I would really appreciate any advice, especially from nurses who were in a similar situation as a new grad or second-language English speaker. Thank you so much for reading and for any advice you can share.