New Grad just hired need help stat!

I am a new grad RN with a BA (anthropology). I have been offered my first job, right down the street from my house at a Long-Term Care facility with 92 beds, noc shift, float. I was offered the new grad starting pay of $25/hr, and am disappointed, but need some REAL advice about today's pay for a new grad. I do not live in an unusually high-cost-of-living metro area. I will be asking about differentials when I meet with HR. Thank you!!!! Last edit by mhaderle on Sep 6, '12 : Reason: add state
What state are you in? Around my area that is a great starting pay for a new grad. You could also call around to other facilities and ask what their starting pay is for new grads to help you get a better idea.
In many major metro areas that is a very good salary for a brand new RN. Sorry you are unhappy with it. Many would be overjoyed with it. Surely you researched what nurses make before you dropped your previous career? What state/city are you in? If California or New York City that is pretty low, but for Little Rock that would be high. For the Dallas area, where I live, that would be a little higher than average. It all just depends on where you live. If your area is a lower cost of living area, then the nursing wages will be lower than places with a higher cost of living.
That is the starting pay for RNs at one LTC/Rehab in Boston that I was quoted at (without differentials). I think we have a pretty high cost of living, so depending where you are, I don't think that hourly rate is bad at all! Like not.done.yet said, in some areas it'd actually be considered above average pay!
Where I used to live (moderate cost of living), that hourly rate beats the hospital's starting salary PLUS diff hourly rate for new grads.Not saying you don't have a right to be disappointed...but I'd do a little comparison shopping to see what other facilities may be offering in your area. Also consider that a higher pay may not necessarily be a better place to work it. You have to take into the facility itself as well as the commute. If this place is "down the street" your commute will be minimal. That would trump making $28/hr but having to drive 30 minutes to get there (because most of that extra money will go right into your gas tank) And keep in mind that you are a new grad, which means the bottom rung in the pay ladder.
Denver is starting new grads at $31, but northern VA is $25 as well. Both are in hospitals, not LTC.
I am in Hawaii. There is a hospital hiring RPNII's, at $28/hr., but that is 2 hours away.
New grad in LTC 26/hr Hospitals 29 to 32 with shift diff. Tampabay area.
Where I live, $25/hr base pay beats what I what started at, which was $23.50. I get shift diff, though, and my hospital's shift diff is great. I make about $30/hr with my OT rate being $35/hr. I work in a hospital.