Nursing professionals are always in demand all over the world and a nurse salary is pretty high, to match the demand. People do fall sick all the time and they do need expert care. But it is not possible for a doctor to remain in a hospital 24-7 to care of critically ill patients. This is where a good qualified nursing professional can be a godsend.
However, a nurse has a huge range of career options that they can try apart from full time hospital clinical practice. For example, a trained nurse can work in hospitals, clinics, as home visit nurses, traveling nurses or as a teacher in nursing institutes. The large range of career options depends on the educational qualifications of the nurse and the clinical expertise that they have gained over time.
The job is hard with long hours and unexpected emergencies that require work through the night at hospitals or at accident sites. However, along with the hard work and long hours, trained and qualified nurses can expect a remuneration that is equivalent and sometimes, much better than industry standards
Average Nurse Salary
The expected nurse salary will vary quite a lot. Nurses who have just passed out from college can expect a salary that ranges anywhere from $43,000 and $63,000. This salary will however vary according to the hospital, educational qualifications and departments that nurses are working in. Every nurse can also expect periodic raises in salaries that are dependent on government standards and Labor department decisions. There are three major avenues by which a student can become a nurse:
1) A diploma is the easiest option to become a nurse. Usually, students have to study two years to become a licensed nurse. However, diplomas are not very popular at present and it is a far better idea to get associates degrees or bachelor degrees for better salaries and career options.
2) An associate’s degree in nursing or an ADN is a two-year program for nursing that is preferred by most students and hospitals. This degree is preferred by hospitals and students. Entry level nurse salary for this degree can vary but an average is about $23 per hour that increases to about $33 per hour or more for experienced nurses.
3) A Bachelor of Nursing degree is preferred for students as students can expect a very high salary on passing out. BSN nurses do have to study more but they draw the same starting salary as that of ADNs. The major difference is that BSN nurses can expect higher nurse salary hikes as they learn on the job. They are also eligible for management posts like nursing tutors, nurse managers, nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist.
Nurse Salary Range By Type Of Nurse
Expected Nurse Practitioner Salary
Nurse practitioners are trained professionals with a master’s degree in nursing. As a result, they have already specialized in a niche area of nursing and they have state authority for advanced practice in a niche area of medicine. This category of nurses may also be allowed to work in management cadres as well as supervise other nurses and certified nursing professionals.
They are also trained to prescribe drugs, adverse physical therapy, assist physicians in medical care and work independently as well as in collaboration with other physicians. This category of nurses is in high demand all over the world. On an average, they have very nurse salary ranges anywhere from $61,000 to $100,000 per year.
Expected RN Salary
A registered nurse is a trained nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and who has passed a national licensing exam after studying. This variety of nurse is allowed to work in a range of conditions and they can also study further for additional degrees.
Ideally a RN nurse can work in hospitals, health care facilities, camps, industry, and schools and in companies. They are also eligible for private practice with physicians. RN’s earn quite a lot as they are eligible for a nurse salary of up to $23/hr and up but they do earn more with experience.
Expected LPN Salary
A licensed practical nurse is a nurse who cares for sick people under the supervision of a registered nurse or medical practitioners. These are also referred to as Licensed Vocational nurses. These students have to train anywhere from 9-12 months at local community colleges.
Many students are offered a degree or a certificate for the course that they have completed. They are trained to take vital signs, provide medications and change dressings. LPN’s usually get paid about $18/hr and that amount will increase with experience. A nurse salary will vary from state to state and experienced nurses will get paid much more.
Expected CNA Salary
A cna is a certified nursing assistant who can provide on-on-one medical care for patients. They are allowed to work under trained medical professional and with registered nurses. Ideally, they cannot work alone but have to be supervised in their administration of medical care. They are allowed to work in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and in home care settings doing a range of jobs like bathing, toileting, changing dressings, feeding, taking vital signs and helping patients in their day to day work.
As a result, most of the students train at local community colleges and the training program can be for six months or less. After passing out, they have to sit for a state licensing exam that provides with the necessary certification. The average nurse salary of a cna can vary anywhere from $27,418 per year to $40,418 per year.
Nurse Salary And Job Outlook
Job prospects in the nursing field are at an all-time high. Hospitals vie for the best trained clinical nurses for their departments and they are willing to pay the best nursing salary for a well trained staff member. To get an accurate idea of national and local state nurse salary levels check with National Labor Board and the State labor board. If you have the necessary qualifications, you can easily expect a nurse salary in the high thousands to hundred thousands.