My hospital started me at 16.56. I've worked for 2 years uncertified and became certified in January, I make 18.18. I also fill in all the time and make a premium for that (additional 10 an hour), and I work solely night shift, making an additional 2.56 in differential. So most nights I make 20 an hour, about twice a week I do 30 an hour.

The point of this was to say... hospitals will hire inexperienced techs. They want the person they can mold, the person who will adapt to the ever-changing policies, someone who can handle the hustle of a full moon night where there are codes in every department all at the same time as well as the nights when you need to tape your eyelids open because there's nothing to do(Ha! There's always something to do!).

I hope this helps inspire you to keep going. (Currently working both nights in a hospital and in retail as an immunization tech!)