Nursing Salaries

Determining the amount of money one can expect to make when pursuing a career in the nursing field is not as easy as you would think.  Typically, the more schooling you decide to go through will have an impact on the salary you can expect.  This article will go through some of the various fields in nursing, what you can expect to be doing in that field, and the average salary of that career choice.  Keep in mind that there are other factors that play into this average, such as the area in which you live and your experience.

A common starting point in the nursing field is to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN.  As an LPN, you can expect to earn in the range of $25,000 to $50,000 per year.  Those with more experience tend to make on the higher range of that scale.  An LPN typically goes through one year of schooling and training, and is responsible for the overall care and comfortability of a patient.  Some of the duties of an LPN range from treating and dressing wounds, monitoring vital signs, and helping the patient with the basic care of themselves when they are unable to do so.

With a few more years of schooling, you can become a Registered Nurse, or RN.  The average salary of an RN is about $65,000 a year.  As an RN, you have more responsibilities than an LPN, ranging from administering medication, running and analyzing tests, to coming up with and going through a care plan with the patient.  You are also responsible for obtaining a patient’s thorough medical history.

After becoming an RN, many choose to continue their careers by choosing a specialty in the nursing field.  One such specialty is a neonatal nurse.  A neonatal nurse is responsible for the care of newborn and premature babies.  They are also there to offer care, support, and advice to new parents and their families.  As a neonatal nurse, you can expect to make an average of about $75,000 per year.

Another specialty to consider is becoming an orthopedic nurse.  In this field, an orthopedic nurse is responsible for helping patients manage pain from a variety of issues such as joint and back pain, arthritis, and a number of other sprains and muscle trauma.  You will also be the source of education to help the patient devise and follow through a recovery plan.  An average salary in this field is approximately $80,000 per year.

If your goal is a high-paying career path in nursing, and have the time and budget to complete a large amount of school, you can strive to become a nurse anesthetist.  The average salary for this type of nurse is anywhere from $130,000, up to $170,000 per year.  Along with obtaining your bachelor’s degree, many hours of training and experience, and being a licensed RN, you must also complete your Master’s Degree.  As a nurse anesthetist, you will be responsible for administering anesthesia to patients.

There are many other options available to you in your career as a nurse.  The salary you can expect to make should not be the only factor in deciding which path is right for you.  With any of the specialties listed, you must first complete your requirements to practice as a Registered Nurse.  From there, the experience you gain can help you decide which direction in nursing would be best for you!