Registered nurses constitute the largest healthcare occupation in the world. Most of the jobs are in the hospitals. With the rising population and the new diseases coming to light, there has been a rise in demand for registered nurses. Today we can see that it is a highly respectable job that is rising and also earns a good salary.
The registered nurse salaries differ as much as the types of nursing jobs they do. The salary depends on various factors that include the duties, responsibilities, region the nurse works in, experience, education, training and current shortage. It may also depend on the time of the day the nurse works. The registered nurses represent the second highest paid occupation and the salary range of a registered nurse is contingent on many factors. With the demand of nurses on the rise, one can see a bright future for the registered nurses and the job also provides job satisfaction and security. One can also benefit from working extra hours at the hospitals as well. Many hospitals pay extra cash for those working overtime and doing both shifts non-stop.
Types of registered nurse jobs
The most intense registered nurse position pays the highest rate. For example, an ICU nurse or the one who works in the labor and the delivery get the highest pay as compared to the elementary school nurse. The emergency room registered nurse in the urban hospital earns a much higher salary as compared to the home care nurse or in the long term care. While the registered nurse instructor earns a lower salary as compared to the travel nurse.
Regional difference
It has been observed that the region in which the registered nurse works also plays an important part in demanding salaries from the employees. The cost of living in each state should be considered while choosing the job. The state’s economy too will play its part. Some states have shown to have higher salaries like the Delaware, California, Arizona, Alaska, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Boston. The states showed an average earning so $50,000 per year and an hourly pay of $24. The states that showed the lowest average salaries were Oklahoma, Indiana, Wyoming, Mississippi, Iowa, South Dakota and Kansas. The salary in these states was reported to be under $45,000 annually.
In California the average salary is $75,000, Indiana reports $55,000, Springfield, reports $65,000, the Atlanta, Georgia get a salary of $65,000 and the Jackson reports $53,000. In Nebraska and Omaha the average salary is $60,000.
Nursing shortages
Nursing shortages are widespread in all areas of nursing and in all the country. The registered nurses are frequently offered “sign-on” bonuses of around $10,000. There are some medical centers that attract nurses by promising them to pay student loans or offer company cars. In areas where there is shortage of nurses, the pay scale automatically rises to a new high.
Education and experience
Education and training plays an important role to earn a higher salary. A Registered nurse can make $50,000 a year with their associate degree. Nurses with advanced degrees can even earn more depending on their settings. Experience too comes handy and the experience is more in demand and can ask for a better pay. It is possible for a nurse with 10 years experience and an associate degree to make the higher salary as compared to the fresher’s master’s prepared nurse.
Advanced practice RNs
Apparently the salaries are substantially higher of those who have additional training and education. Nurses see and treat the patients all on their own. They can earn an average annual salary of more than $80,000. The certified nurse midwives specialize in women’s health care and can earn around $90,000 yearly. The certified registered nurse anesthetists or the CRNAs or the administer anesthesia to patients in surgery can earn more than $113,000.
Salary range by employment setting
The average salary of the RN may also depend on their employer. If they work in a hospital they can earn around $43,965 to $64,676, for those who work at a school district can get around $31,197 to $48,138 yearly. Registered nurses who are employed in a university or college earn around $39,029 to $61,189 annually. RNs in the federal government have been reported to earn around $49,506 to $70,506.
To sum up, it is necessary to go through and consider all the aspects because only higher education or only years of experience will not fetch you a fat pay scale, the location and the demand also contribute a lot towards a higher salary.