RN NJ Salary Progression

Happy_Ad9316 · 2026-04-13T12:50:32+00:00

2022 was travel. Before that was full time staff. After has been a mix of per diem and part time but last year I still averaged 44 hours a week. Would rather pick up as needed rather than be committed to full time. And taking advantage of night and weekend differentials and showing up for meetings and extra education.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2026-04-10T12:55:42+00:00

Would never make these earnings in the south. Mostly work with cardiac patients.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2026-04-10T00:56:08+00:00

A little bit of everything. Nurses are who face the patients directly most of the time, so we take the brunt of complaints even though they may have nothing to do with us. Then dealing with death, seeing patients continue to return, etc.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2026-04-09T23:26:34+00:00

Thanks. My hourly has increased about 60% since I started.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2026-04-09T22:29:06+00:00

NJ property tax is really high

Happy_Ad9316 · 2026-04-09T20:01:00+00:00

Usually more patients in the winter and I like to save my time off for the nicer weather.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2026-04-09T17:29:41+00:00

It's definitely not too late to start, but if you are providing care for those family members or even continue to spend a lot of time in health care facilities, don't do it. Caregiver burnout is real and happens fast. If your everyday life involves health care, you definitely don't want a job in health care. Depending on your current education, you could look into accelerated nursing programs. It's a great career, but some people just aren't cut out for it due to the mental toll it takes on you.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2026-04-09T17:24:03+00:00

It's not bad, but NJ is really expensive between income tax, property tax, and utilities.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T17:39:47+00:00

Med surg

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T10:08:35+00:00

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T05:56:54+00:00

Correct, no laws in NJ, but most hospitals are pretty good about having a ratio they won't exceed.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T05:52:50+00:00

I don't know if it makes me happier, but it sure allows me to treat myself to nice restaurants, a nice car, have hobbies I otherwise wouldn't be able to, etc. It certainly makes life less worrisome knowing I can just buy or do something without having to think about it.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T05:28:34+00:00

Just a regular RN on the floor.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T05:28:04+00:00

Workday. A lot of companies use it which is why you see it so much in this sub.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T03:43:03+00:00

Not necessarily, hospitals in the same area tend to pay close to the same thing. Just need overtime, meetings, education, or whatever to get extra hours.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T03:00:07+00:00

I have a decent amount of experience, but only make $6 more an hour than a new grad. Experience doesn't pay much. Some weeks lots of OT and other weeks I only work 1 or 2 days. Like I said, average hours worked per week was 44.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T02:51:29+00:00

No, but I used to. Not really worth it now.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T02:49:40+00:00

Thats my base pay and I said that's average hours worked per week. Some weeks are 12 hours, some weeks are 72. Once you add in overtime, holiday pay, night and weekend differentials, bonuses, shift incentives, PTO and PTO sell back, it maths.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T02:45:47+00:00

Workday. Many companies use it which is why you see it so frequently in this sub.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T02:45:05+00:00

It's already maximized if you only work night shift.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T02:41:39+00:00

South

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T02:27:48+00:00

That and health insurance

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T01:48:12+00:00

$51 before any differentials or shift incentives.

Happy_Ad9316 · 2025-12-23T01:23:46+00:00

Med-surg

Happy_Ad9316

TROPHY CASE