Nursing can be an incredibly rewarding career, but it’s also one of the most stressful. Unfortunately, the shortage of nurses means they can be picky about who they hire; and if you don’t have a diploma from an accredited school, you may find yourself having to settle for less money than you expected. If you want to be a nurse, know what to expect when it comes to pay so you can budget accordingly. Here’s what you can expect to earn as a nurse…
How much do nurses earn?
Nurses earn an average salary of $65,000 annually. Although this is the average, nurses can make anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000 depending on location and the type of facility they work in. Wages are highest in California (approximately $105,000), and lowest in Wyoming ($39,350). In general though, wages tend to increase with seniority.
Where can you find more info on nurse salaries and jobs
Working as a nurse is one of the most prestigious jobs in the medical field, but with increased demand for nurses in recent years, there are plenty of other individuals vying for these positions. Due to this, salaries have remained relatively stagnant and, depending on the geographic location, can range anywhere from $50,000-$70,000 annually.
What are the benefits of being a nurse?
Nurses provide compassionate, competent care and make it possible for our health system to do what it does best: heal. As one of the most highly educated groups in the country, nurses will always be able to find work in the field they love. Nurses can feel confident knowing that their skills are needed every day in all types of workplaces, as is evident by recent developments across Canada and abroad.
Job satisfaction stats
Nurses are one of the most desired careers out there. Almost every company will consider you an asset if you have experience in this field, and nurses usually have their pick of jobs. In addition, many nurses are given the opportunity to work on whichever shift they prefer, which is a huge perk for those who struggle with scheduling.
Nursing school vs. online schools
Typically, nursing school programs will require between four and six years of study. Your school tuition costs may be funded by grants, student loans, and scholarships. This can potentially decrease the amount of debt you’ll have when you graduate. For example, Tuskegee University offers qualified applicants up to $25,000 in scholarships for their Doctorate program.
How long does it take to become a nurse?
Nursing programs usually last two years but can be as long as four years. Students spend the first year learning about general nursing topics such as leadership, ethics, and advocacy. In the second year, students spend most of their time in clinical rotations in various healthcare settings such as schools, hospitals, mental health facilities, and doctor offices. Students should expect to take at least one course on nutrition and be required to complete 50 hours of volunteer work.
Career outlook for nursing jobs in the future
Nursing is projected to be one of the fastest-growing occupations over the next decade, as healthcare organizations hire nurses in anticipation of an aging population and increased demand for health care services. The BLS projects there will be almost 1 million more nursing jobs by 2020. Nurses who have credentials beyond registered nurse—such as nursing informatics or public health nursing—are likely to find especially strong employment prospects.