Nursing Salaries

As a nurse, you will enjoy a generous salary and an outstanding compensation package. There is a greater need for nurses today than ever before. Nurses with special training and administrative skills are extremely well-paid. You will definitely be able to support yourself on a nurse's salary.

Because LPNs require less education, they earn less money. However, within just a year you can be earning a great living as an LPN. If you don't have time to spare, a career as an LPN is rewarding and lucrative. An beginning LPN enjoy an average annual salary of almost $30,000. By the time you have 5 years of experience, you will earn an average of $35,414 annually. Very experienced LPNs earn up to $40,000 annually or more.

What Are Registered Nursing Salaries?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for registered nurses in 2006 was $57,280. The lowest 10 percent of nurses still earned around $40,000 annually. The highest 10 percent of nurses earned in excess of $83,440 annually. As a registered nurse, you will be earning over $40,000 annually with the opportunity for plenty of overtime.
The area where registered nurses earned the most was employment services nurses earning $64,260 annually. Nurses in hospitals earned an average of $58,550. Lesser salaries between $52,000 and $54,000 were paid annually to nurses working in home health care services, physicians' offices and nursing care settings.

What Type Of Compensation Packages Do Nurses Receive?

Nurses usually earn a generous compensation package in addition to a generous annual salary. Health and medical coverage are typically offered to nurses. Other benefits include life insurance, a pension plan and tuition reimbursement. Because of the increasing need for skilled registered nurses, a talented LPN can easily earn and learn at the same time – while their employer pays for it.

Why Are Nurses Well-Paid?

There are several reasons why nurses are so well-paid. First and foremost, nurses are responsible for taking care of patients. Nurses must be well-organized and keep accurate records. Often overtime is mandatory for nurses because so many medical facilities are understaffed due to the nursing shortage. Nurses may also be required to work on holidays depending on their employer. Long hours, demanding work and a lack of staff are reasons why nurses are paid accordingly.
Linda Richard, the first officially trained nurse in America, graduated in 1873. Richard commented about the career, “Nurses are to be obedient, without question.” Nurses today must be able to think independently yet listen without question when required. Education, skill and experience gives a good nurse the ability to handle any situation.

Are There Opportunities To Earn Even More In Nursing?

A hard-working LPN is likely to be recognized and offered tuition reimbursement by their employer to become an RN. If you are already an RN, you can get a master's degree in nursing science to work in administration, education or research. Opportunities in nursing are limitless with administrative nurses earning in excess of $100,000 annually.

What Are The Other Rewards I Can Expect From Nursing?

Nurses not only receive outstanding salaries an benefits, they appreciate other rewards. Nurses have flexible work schedules. Although they must sometimes work long hours, they also have an opportunity to customize their schedules to accommodate their family life. For example, a nurse can work the evening shift while their spouse works days. Often nurses have access to child care or child care assistance. Because nurses are in such demand, employers usually pay significant bonuses to loyal, hard-working nursing staff.
Nursing is also a personally rewarding way to earn a living. Clara Barton, responsible for establishing the first permanent American Red Cross society, commented, “I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it, and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed and nurse them.”