Ontario RNs: Is nursing financially worth it long-term?
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?