Nursing is a profession in high demand. Qualified
nurses find opportunities across the country, many
paying a lucrative nursing salary. There are many
ways to categorize various nursing roles, so if you
are thinking of becoming a nurse, consider some of
the following:
Nursing roles may be chosen by medical specialty.
These specialties include OB/GYN, surgery, HIV/AIDS,
addictions, and oncology.
Nursing jobs may be chosen by the amount of time and
education it takes to practice in the field.
Registered nurses (RNs), licensed practicing nurses
(LPNs), or advanced specialty nursing all require
different levels of education, certification,
licensure, and time.
Some nurses chose their careers based on the segment
of population they would like to serve. Women’s
health, gerontology, and pediatrics are just a few
of these popular segments.
Nursing careers may be chosen based on a preferred
location. For example, the emergency room (ER), the
operating room (OR), hospice, school nurse, or the
intensive care unit (ICU) may be the place the nurse
would prefer to work.
Some nurses choose a specialty based on body parts.
The heart, skin, lungs, digestive system, or female
reproductive system are specialties requiring
specific training.
Taking into consideration some of these options may
help a prospective nursing student decide on a
career path before investing time and money in
obtaining a certificate or degree. The type of
education and training determines the kind of job
and nursing salary a person receives. For instance,
after a one- or two-year-long training at a
hospital, community college, or vocational school, a
person who passes the National Council Licensure
Exam (NCLEX-PN) can practice as an LPN. Starting
salaries nationwide in hospitals are $40,000 and in
community care elderly facilities are $42,000 a
year.
Individuals seeking RN designations need to complete
a two-year associate’s or four-year bachelor’s
degree in nursing and must pass the National Council
Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) to get their registered
nursing licenses. Salaries for an RN vary depending
on the city and state the person is working in, but
for the most part, an RN nursing salary will average
$70,000 per year in a doctor’s office.
There are specialties in the field of nursing with
the highest pay. These advanced nursing professions
require master’s degrees with concentrations in the
specific area. Some of the categories include the
Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), which pays
$156,000 a year; Certified Nurse Midwife, with an
annual salary of $91,000; Clinical Nurse Specialist
(CNS), which pays $87000 a year; and a Nurse
Practitioner (NP), paying $89,000.
Nurses who work with sick or premature newborn
babies are called neonatal nurses. The training for
a neonatal nurse is extensive, and average salaries
are about $74,000 a year. A gerontological nurse
practitioner (GNP) holds an advanced degree in
geriatrics and assists elderly patients with
debilitating conditions. The average salary for a
GNP is $75,000 a year. Orthopedic nursing is a
specialty that helps patients suffering from
musculoskeletal ailments, such as arthritis, and
nurses in this field earn an average salary of
$81,000. They are also involved in educating
patients on how to use support equipment. A
pediatric endocrinology nurse helps young children
who suffer from endocrine disease and earn on
average $81,000 a year.
Due to the nursing shortage, many employers offer
recruitment incentives to attract talent. These
incentives include bonuses from between $2,000 and
$20,000, relocation and housing assistance, day
care, and tuition reimbursement. Usually, these
incentives are awarded based upon a set work
commitment by the applicant. Whether the job is to
serve patients in a hospital, hospice, radiology
department, or home health care facility, each
setting has its own unique tasks, technologies, and
patient types.
Nursing is a profession in high demand. Qualified nurses find opportunities across the country, many paying a lucrative nursing salary.
