Salaries In Nursing

If you were to poll nursing students enrolled in associate degree programs in the nation’s community colleges, you would find that a good percentage of them are persuing second or third careers. Former business majors, accountants, teachers, social workers, bankers and engineers can be found studying to sit for the state boards in Professional Nursing. One of the reasons nursing is chosen for a career are the wages.
For high school seniors searching for a career, nursing is wise choice. Where else can an 18 year old go for two years to a reasonably priced community college, and come out with the earning capability to gross up to$75,000 for a staff nurse, according to http://Monster.com. Wages vary from state to state and even within communities. Nurses working for a union organized urban health center affiliated with a university may make more money than a small private community hospital in the same area.
Wages are generally paid to staff nurses on an hourly basis. A staff nurse is is a professional nurse who supervises the tasks performed by Licensed Practical Nurses, orderlies and nursing assistants. They provide direct nursing care and make decisions regarding plans of care for patients based on treatment orders written by the patient’s physician. Most hospitals designate broad perameters within which the nurse operates. Staff nurses need a huge information base to care for the varied needs of her patients.
Clinical specialists and advanced practice nurses are paid higher wages based on their advanced education and increased responsibility. In the Northeastern United States, APN’s may make up to $90,000. Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) may make up to $120,000 base pay. CNS, APN, and CRNA are all master prepared.
In addition to higher wages for nurses, the high stress nature of the job requires more time off than jobs with less stress. Vacation, personal days and sick time add up to 50 – 60 days in some Northeastern US hospitals.