Salaries For Nurses
A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that employment among Registered Nurses is slated to grow faster than the average for all occupations, right through 2008. The median age of the US population is increasing, and with it, the demand for quality nurses is continuously rising. So what about salaries for Nurses?
Nurses' salaries went up by 14% in 2004. More than 25% of the respondents said that they earned at least $64,000 per year. 11% of the respondents reported earning $75,000 per year.
Teachers and nurses received about equal salaries in 1986. Now, full time nurses average $60,000 annually whereas teachers make about $48,000.
As for the availability of nursing jobs, large cities like Chicago, New York and Los Angeles were the top spots for the number of jobs available. Nurses also receive higher salaries and more benefits in the larger cities. However, the large city nursing jobs also have longer working hours and more on-the-job stress. In small community nursing jobs, the working hours are better and the number of patients is also lower. Registered nurses provide high quality nursing service to individuals, families, communities, and groups in hospitals and many other types of health care facilities. They provide health education programs to maintain, promote and restore a patient's health. Salaries for Registered Nurses vary according to years of experience, type of nursing, and also their geographic work location. The amount of salary received may also be related to the requirements, schedule, work load, training, education and experience of the individual nurse. Registered nurses' salaries have increased quite a bit over the last few years. Experienced nurses have received the largest increases. Hospitals offer competitive salaries and attractive benefits to attract and retain qualified and experienced registered nurses. This may include annual salary, hourly wages, tips, commissions and bonuses. The size of the facility is also an important factor in determining the scale of salaries. Registered nurse's salaries increase along with an increase of number and types of hospital beds. Clinical nurse specialists and nurses with advanced degrees earn higher salaries. Registered nurses' salaries also differ on the basis of the employers. The range of employers can be regional health authorities, home care agencies, clinics, nursing homes, insurance companies, large corporations or government firms. Other than salaries, nurses also get benefits like group life insurance, pension plans, flexible work schedules, housing assistance, childcare and college tuition reimbursement. Disability benefits, accidental death and health insurance as well as hospitalization benefits are also available. Length of service determines vacation and holiday payments. There are full-time, part-time and casual Registered nurses, and salaries vary according to the category. Full time registered nurses may receive the full benefit programs. Casual and part time nurses may receive equal vacation pay as a percentage of their salary. Most nurses get shift premiums as well. Nurses working in complex areas like surgery or neo-natal intensive care draw higher salaries than others. In addition to the general salaries, some employers also offer bonuses and profit-sharing plans.
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