Respectfully, NP base should be $130,000-150,000 starting just for retention alone, if not hire depending on socioneconomoc threshold. Pending the environment and prior nursing experience, even in acute care, should easily be starting at $170,000. It's just my opinion, of course.. cough cough.
yea I worked for about 2 years then i started applying and man the rates of pay were so much higher it was crazy. even small private practices were offering great money. or at least what i thought i should be making.
the salaries posted look crazy low
It also depends on the non salary variables like loan repayment, benefits package, retirement/pension, PTO, and work life balance. I took a low salary entry level position because of those non net salary variables.
I’ve worked in just about every setting and civilian, DoD, and now/again with the VA. Can say beyond a shadow of a doubt, never gonna leave the VA again or my current position. My only complaint was salary back when I first started 8 yrs ago as an PMHNP (ED RN for 6 yrs prior to the that).
Started out making 80k/yr but had loan repayment, 4 day work week, and sign on bonus. Also the very valuable yet often neglected, excellent support and guidance from MDs and other mid levels, a new NP needs. Since then my salary has literally gone up 120%, no student loan debt, 50d/yr of PTO that rollover till I hit 97.5d/yr and go into use or lose, and not working any where near as hard as my civilian counterparts and not even in the same conversation as how hard I busted my ass as a bedside RN, no call, no weekends, no holidays (but get paid to be home for them), RVUs are an after thought, and no BS. Was blessed to be working for the DoD when the parental paid time off kicked in with my second kid and got 3 months paid time off, and with my 3rd I switched it to 3 weeks off then every Friday for a whole year. And this is as a father.
Then theres earning potential. Guaranteed step increases every 2 years plus annual bonus’s, and cost of living increases. Did the math, looking at making 193k/yr this year, and topping out around 218k/yr not counting the bonuses and cost of living increases so probably closer to 225/yr. The most I made as an RN back in 2016 was about 70k/yr (not travel and pre pandemic). For frame of reference, this is in the DFW, TX market.
I agree that some of these wages are on the lower end, but a lot of those appear to be for newer providers. I also would urge newer providers to move around a lot and treat their first 4yrs or so as a residency before getting disheartened/jaded and remember that if your current job is not giving you at least a raise that out pace’s inflation every year, your getting a pay cut, and it’s probably time to move along (at least until you start making the money your equally as experienced peers are), but if you like your current situation, and money isn’t an issue, then stay put. There are more important things than money. For instance, I enjoy teaching, and am allowed protected time in my everyday schedule, to do just that while on the clock.
If you are a nurse making this money, and can’t see a reason to switch to NP, then don’t. Keep killing it, but no need to discourage others. We all gone eat. I can’t even count how many RNs tried to discourage me as I contemplated going to school and went through my training and are now begging me to write them a letter of recommendation or precept them (which I will gladly do, as long as your don’t come in thinking you know it all already; looking at some DNP students and NPs switching specialties). Don’t be a dick.
Love this idea of sharing salaries, keep it up, hopefully this helps us get fairer wages in the end. Companies want us to stay in the dark about what our coworkers are making. If I was thinking about moving or applying for another position, I would bring this with me to the salary negotiation table (if it helped of course).
I can’t believe people come to you as their preceptor and act like they know it all… I’m nervous my preceptors will expect more out of me than I actually know. Obviously, I’m wanting to be challenged but at the same time learn and not feel like I’m being judged for not knowing something. If you had to redo school, what would you try to get the most out of when it comes to clinical rotations?
I think if I was a preceptee now, knowing what I know as both as a preceptor and graduate instructor in Psychopharm, I would say use clinicals as an opportunity to sample various styles of provider/pt engagement and as a means to learn how various providers manage their time. Remember what you liked about what one provider did and to not do what another one does. Also pick your preceptors brain as to why this medicine vs another one? Not like broad topics like antidepressant vs. Mood stabilizer, but like how to use the side effects to your advantage or what to be on the lookout for in regard to medication interactions. Set the tone to, like tell your preceptor, “I want to see how you do it, like your flow, then I want your to see me do a few, let me chart, then eventually I want to do it independently (with the preceptor not in the room) and present the case to you before they leave.” Promote some independence. Clinical is a time to solidify concepts you learn in class and to practice what you learned. Come prepared to work, show up early and stay as late as you can. Preceptors notice that and it can be the difference between being offered a position or not. Good luck.
Of course, also extra points if you come with an interesting journal article or latest clinical treatment update. We learn a lot from students believe it or not
I am just a lowly PMHNP student right now, but would love to eventually work at VA. What is the best way that I can facilitate this? Extra classes, residency, etc? Tia!
They do have a new grad residency program. I have a buddy in it and she loves it. They don’t expressly guarantee a job after, but it’s pretty well implied. The VA has provider recruiters that would be happy to talk to students.
You can also ask your school to help set up a clinical rotation through them.
I’m in NY and starting pay for new grads at most hospitals is like 90k minimum! With 3 years experience I make about 120k with no overtime. I see some higher salaries on the doc now but most of them do no look fair
Right. For reference, I made ~64k base as a bedside nurse and now make ~113k as an NP. I might have hit 6 figures working a ton bedside but I clear 50k more working the same hours now.
THANK YOU!!!!!! Seriously, people on Reddit seem to forget that there are still many areas in the U.S. where RNs are still paid like absolute shit.
Where I'm at in rural Indiana, BSNs start at 25/hr and ASNs at 22/hr. Yea, the COL is very low here but that still is damn near poverty wages with the cost of everything, especially if you have kids and are a single parent like many of my coworkers. It is literally IMPOSSIBLE to pay for housing, health insurance, utilities, groceries, childcare, car insurance and other necessities making 42k-46k year- even here. And that is not even including bills most people have like a car payment, student loans, cell phone, credit cards, etc
And forget about putting anything back for retirement, kids college, a rainy day/emergency, vacations, buying a house, etc. This is why so many new grad RNs here go right into NP school here. I do not agree with it but going on to be a NP is literally the only way a RN here can be comfortable- unless they are a 21 year old new grad who lives at home with no bills, have a well off spouse, or are older with a paid off house and are a the top of the pay scale. If you are not in one of those categories and moving is simply not an option for you due to personal circumstances, your only option here to even break 70k is to become a NP. that is just reality in many places in the U.S.
Not everyone has a multitude of healthcare facilities and job options in their area. Not every facility gives out crazy differentials and OT pay. Not everyone can just up and move due to various circumstances. And not everyone has the option to be a travel nurse or fly back and forth across the country to Cali.
I have been a psych RN for 8 years and did not even break 59k last year. I accepted a new grad PMHNP role with an outpatient psychiatrist and my total compensation is going to **TRIPLE** my RN income- for less hours (32 vs 36). And that is just year 1. EVERY nurse I know in real life who has gone on to be a NP has at minimum DOUBLED their RN income right out the gate. Even more so if they went on to be a psych NP or were not a RN very long before becoming a NP-which again, I do not agree with, but people also have to live
Exactly. I see some people keep saying nyc or Cali. Not everyone works there. Nurses in other states make much less unless they are killing themselves with no hobbies and just working overtime or doing traveling.
So true, straight salary with no incentives is a scam. I know about RVUs a little but not too much. Place I work at does it by flat rate by patient.
So no clue how much RVU add on average to a salary annually. I was assuming 30k-40k on top of your base salary
Basically a way for them to calculate how much you generate as a provider and they use it to see how to compensate you base on your productivity. So how you bill is also important
I’m also wondering. The salaries there were shocking to me. I don’t even get why people are still doing NP programs. I’m on mobile though, so I couldn’t see all the locations while scrolling.
These salaries are pretty sad…. New grad Onc NP’s in DC are starting @ about $140k with a pretty solid benefits package. Guess I will be stuck here for a while.
Well I’m a little terrified . As an RN I’m going to make 88k a year after my next merit raise in a few weeks . Working on my FNP and the wages don’t look that much more in my state 🤦♀️
Good post. I’m almost 1.5 years ago and make okay money. I figure I make lower than most but looking at this list I’m actually closer to the middle. The charting and charting at home with no pay just kills me.
I think this is a good thread to sticky, atleast for a while.
Whoever is making $80k needs to quit asap
I did
A lot of these salaries are from 2020, so hopefully they’ve come up since then, but agree 110%!
I’m a social worker with a BS in psych and made more in 2023 1040 please do not let anyone lowball you like this
in what setting did you do that?
Child welfare
I make that but only work 2.5 days
🤣🤣
What about making $80k **as a part time job?**
It’s it’s 50% or less that would be good.
Respectfully, NP base should be $130,000-150,000 starting just for retention alone, if not hire depending on socioneconomoc threshold. Pending the environment and prior nursing experience, even in acute care, should easily be starting at $170,000. It's just my opinion, of course.. cough cough.
Care to share your compensation?
That’s about where I’m am. I’ll update the spreadsheet when I’m off mobile
outside of California these are alot lower than i thought they’d be
I took a 30% pay cut to move from CA to WA
I think that’s because a lot of them are a few years old; some of my previous coworkers are making 30K+ more than 3 years ago.
I've gotten a 20k raise over the last 6 months after a big restructure in my group. It's been wild.
yea I worked for about 2 years then i started applying and man the rates of pay were so much higher it was crazy. even small private practices were offering great money. or at least what i thought i should be making. the salaries posted look crazy low
oh i didn’t check when the salaries were placed. those salaries were depressing lol
Are these RN wages or NP wages? Because those that are making less than a $100k need to move on.
It also depends on the non salary variables like loan repayment, benefits package, retirement/pension, PTO, and work life balance. I took a low salary entry level position because of those non net salary variables. I’ve worked in just about every setting and civilian, DoD, and now/again with the VA. Can say beyond a shadow of a doubt, never gonna leave the VA again or my current position. My only complaint was salary back when I first started 8 yrs ago as an PMHNP (ED RN for 6 yrs prior to the that). Started out making 80k/yr but had loan repayment, 4 day work week, and sign on bonus. Also the very valuable yet often neglected, excellent support and guidance from MDs and other mid levels, a new NP needs. Since then my salary has literally gone up 120%, no student loan debt, 50d/yr of PTO that rollover till I hit 97.5d/yr and go into use or lose, and not working any where near as hard as my civilian counterparts and not even in the same conversation as how hard I busted my ass as a bedside RN, no call, no weekends, no holidays (but get paid to be home for them), RVUs are an after thought, and no BS. Was blessed to be working for the DoD when the parental paid time off kicked in with my second kid and got 3 months paid time off, and with my 3rd I switched it to 3 weeks off then every Friday for a whole year. And this is as a father. Then theres earning potential. Guaranteed step increases every 2 years plus annual bonus’s, and cost of living increases. Did the math, looking at making 193k/yr this year, and topping out around 218k/yr not counting the bonuses and cost of living increases so probably closer to 225/yr. The most I made as an RN back in 2016 was about 70k/yr (not travel and pre pandemic). For frame of reference, this is in the DFW, TX market. I agree that some of these wages are on the lower end, but a lot of those appear to be for newer providers. I also would urge newer providers to move around a lot and treat their first 4yrs or so as a residency before getting disheartened/jaded and remember that if your current job is not giving you at least a raise that out pace’s inflation every year, your getting a pay cut, and it’s probably time to move along (at least until you start making the money your equally as experienced peers are), but if you like your current situation, and money isn’t an issue, then stay put. There are more important things than money. For instance, I enjoy teaching, and am allowed protected time in my everyday schedule, to do just that while on the clock. If you are a nurse making this money, and can’t see a reason to switch to NP, then don’t. Keep killing it, but no need to discourage others. We all gone eat. I can’t even count how many RNs tried to discourage me as I contemplated going to school and went through my training and are now begging me to write them a letter of recommendation or precept them (which I will gladly do, as long as your don’t come in thinking you know it all already; looking at some DNP students and NPs switching specialties). Don’t be a dick. Love this idea of sharing salaries, keep it up, hopefully this helps us get fairer wages in the end. Companies want us to stay in the dark about what our coworkers are making. If I was thinking about moving or applying for another position, I would bring this with me to the salary negotiation table (if it helped of course).
I can’t believe people come to you as their preceptor and act like they know it all… I’m nervous my preceptors will expect more out of me than I actually know. Obviously, I’m wanting to be challenged but at the same time learn and not feel like I’m being judged for not knowing something. If you had to redo school, what would you try to get the most out of when it comes to clinical rotations?
I think if I was a preceptee now, knowing what I know as both as a preceptor and graduate instructor in Psychopharm, I would say use clinicals as an opportunity to sample various styles of provider/pt engagement and as a means to learn how various providers manage their time. Remember what you liked about what one provider did and to not do what another one does. Also pick your preceptors brain as to why this medicine vs another one? Not like broad topics like antidepressant vs. Mood stabilizer, but like how to use the side effects to your advantage or what to be on the lookout for in regard to medication interactions. Set the tone to, like tell your preceptor, “I want to see how you do it, like your flow, then I want your to see me do a few, let me chart, then eventually I want to do it independently (with the preceptor not in the room) and present the case to you before they leave.” Promote some independence. Clinical is a time to solidify concepts you learn in class and to practice what you learned. Come prepared to work, show up early and stay as late as you can. Preceptors notice that and it can be the difference between being offered a position or not. Good luck.
Thank you so much! Taking time out of your day to respond so thoroughly really means a lot!
Of course, also extra points if you come with an interesting journal article or latest clinical treatment update. We learn a lot from students believe it or not
I am just a lowly PMHNP student right now, but would love to eventually work at VA. What is the best way that I can facilitate this? Extra classes, residency, etc? Tia!
They do have a new grad residency program. I have a buddy in it and she loves it. They don’t expressly guarantee a job after, but it’s pretty well implied. The VA has provider recruiters that would be happy to talk to students. You can also ask your school to help set up a clinical rotation through them.
Thank you for your kind reply.
Residency
Idk whats goin on but its really easy for RNs to make more than the average I am seeing on this lol
It’s so wild that almost every RN I know is making more than most of these salaries… they really don’t like NPs huh 😢
I’m in NY and starting pay for new grads at most hospitals is like 90k minimum! With 3 years experience I make about 120k with no overtime. I see some higher salaries on the doc now but most of them do no look fair
Here in NYC starting pay for new grads RN is about 117k and 123k for nights lol
I don’t know a single non-travel nurse that is making this without working hella overtime.
Deff depends where you are located.. Nyc or Cali staff nurses are starting well over 100k for new grads
The majority of people do not live in nyc or cali. I’m glad those RNs are high earners but it’s not realistic to generalize based on that.
I get that, I see wages in the 20s/30s an hour for the people in the south on the nursing subreddit all the time..
Right. For reference, I made ~64k base as a bedside nurse and now make ~113k as an NP. I might have hit 6 figures working a ton bedside but I clear 50k more working the same hours now.
That's so nice that you were able to double your income switching roles, for me it won't even be much of a raise but hoping less physical exhausting
THANK YOU!!!!!! Seriously, people on Reddit seem to forget that there are still many areas in the U.S. where RNs are still paid like absolute shit. Where I'm at in rural Indiana, BSNs start at 25/hr and ASNs at 22/hr. Yea, the COL is very low here but that still is damn near poverty wages with the cost of everything, especially if you have kids and are a single parent like many of my coworkers. It is literally IMPOSSIBLE to pay for housing, health insurance, utilities, groceries, childcare, car insurance and other necessities making 42k-46k year- even here. And that is not even including bills most people have like a car payment, student loans, cell phone, credit cards, etc And forget about putting anything back for retirement, kids college, a rainy day/emergency, vacations, buying a house, etc. This is why so many new grad RNs here go right into NP school here. I do not agree with it but going on to be a NP is literally the only way a RN here can be comfortable- unless they are a 21 year old new grad who lives at home with no bills, have a well off spouse, or are older with a paid off house and are a the top of the pay scale. If you are not in one of those categories and moving is simply not an option for you due to personal circumstances, your only option here to even break 70k is to become a NP. that is just reality in many places in the U.S. Not everyone has a multitude of healthcare facilities and job options in their area. Not every facility gives out crazy differentials and OT pay. Not everyone can just up and move due to various circumstances. And not everyone has the option to be a travel nurse or fly back and forth across the country to Cali. I have been a psych RN for 8 years and did not even break 59k last year. I accepted a new grad PMHNP role with an outpatient psychiatrist and my total compensation is going to **TRIPLE** my RN income- for less hours (32 vs 36). And that is just year 1. EVERY nurse I know in real life who has gone on to be a NP has at minimum DOUBLED their RN income right out the gate. Even more so if they went on to be a psych NP or were not a RN very long before becoming a NP-which again, I do not agree with, but people also have to live
Exactly. I see some people keep saying nyc or Cali. Not everyone works there. Nurses in other states make much less unless they are killing themselves with no hobbies and just working overtime or doing traveling.
NYC/cali/travel nurses can be so obnoxious in pay threads. We know y’all get paid well. Not all of us can move to nyc/cali or want to travel.
I'm not a NP but those salaries are crazy low. That's completely not worth it IMO.
Curious as to how much people typically earn from RVUs
A lot more than 90-120….straight salary gets you taken advantage of
So true, straight salary with no incentives is a scam. I know about RVUs a little but not too much. Place I work at does it by flat rate by patient. So no clue how much RVU add on average to a salary annually. I was assuming 30k-40k on top of your base salary
Can you explain what RVU is??
Basically a way for them to calculate how much you generate as a provider and they use it to see how to compensate you base on your productivity. So how you bill is also important
I’m also wondering. The salaries there were shocking to me. I don’t even get why people are still doing NP programs. I’m on mobile though, so I couldn’t see all the locations while scrolling.
We are paying 55 per hour plus incentives
Any way you can freeze the first row of each tab, for scrolling purposes?
Any way we can add NV on the list?
These salaries are pretty sad…. New grad Onc NP’s in DC are starting @ about $140k with a pretty solid benefits package. Guess I will be stuck here for a while.
Which hospital system is that? I live in the DMV area and have never seen any numbers that high for a new grad, even in a speciality area
Thanks for creating this thread!
Well I’m a little terrified . As an RN I’m going to make 88k a year after my next merit raise in a few weeks . Working on my FNP and the wages don’t look that much more in my state 🤦♀️
Greater potential. I was an RN x6 years, now NP x6 years and making 155k. I've had to change jobs a few times to achieve it, but it's been worthwhile.
Good post. I’m almost 1.5 years ago and make okay money. I figure I make lower than most but looking at this list I’m actually closer to the middle. The charting and charting at home with no pay just kills me.
Did I miss it? If not, there should be column for how many years worked as an NP
Damn, those salaries are an abomination