No matter what your profession is, earning enough money to be comfortable, cover the bills and maybe afford a few extras is always a plus. For nurses, salary can vary depending on where they live, the size of their organizations and other factors.
In Nurse.com's Nurse Salary Research Report, we present substantive information on what nurses are earning and what matters to nurses when it comes to compensation. We also present information on how nurses rank their job satisfaction. Robert G. Hess Jr., PhD, RN, FAAN, founder and CEO of the Forum for Shared Governance and a former editor for Nurse.com, commented on why salaries matter to nurses, no matter what their intentions for entering the profession.
"In general, the current mean salary of a U.S. nurse is $68,450 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics -- a figure not necessarily due to the whims of employers but to forces of politics and the market," Hess writes. "Is that enough money? Many nurses don't seem to think so."
Hess points out many nurses might be surprised to find out a floor nurse could make $100,000, but cites sources who say that in states such as New York and California, such pay is not that uncommon.
Nurses should also explore how pay rates vary based on location. It is important to consider cost of living when deciding on nurse salary offers, experts advise. "The salaries can vary dramatically in different regions of the country, but the disposable income could be the same due to factors like housing and transportation costs," Judee Berg, MS, RN, FACHE, president of the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers said.
What to look for beyond nurse salary
Although salary remains of top importance to nurses in their job searches, benefits and flexibility also are essential. Knowing which specialties pay more can help nurses land the right roles that garner top pay, said Maureen Swick, MSN, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, former senior vice president of the American Organization of Nurse Executives about the latest trends in staffing.
"Nationally, there's an extreme shortage of nurses in critical care, emergency and ORs," Swick said in an interview. "Many healthcare systems are struggling to find enough experienced nurses to fill these roles. Recruiting newer nurses is something they can do, but it takes a significant amount of time to train those nurses and get them up to speed within their specialty."
Nurses should also explore what actually drives pay rates. Knowing this can help nurses negotiate for higher salaries and benefits.
"Before you start down the road of an interview, ask about the salary range," said Jennifer Mensik, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. "There is no point in wasting anyone's time if the maximum of the range won't cover your break-even point. Your break-even point includes knowing what you need to live on to pay bills and to save money. This needs to be paired with an understanding of the going rate for the role. This requires research on your part to know the job market, as well as what others in similar roles are being paid. Salary surveys are a great place to gather this type of data."
Compensation goes beyond pay and benefits. Eilleen Williamson, MSN, RN, notes that nursing has other rewards -- gratitude and appreciation from patients and their families.
"Remember a quick thank-you hug from the mother of a scared little girl in the emergency room? Or the grateful smile from a son of an elderly patient who wouldn't take her meds from anyone but you?" Williamson writes. "Maybe you don't think of them as such, but each of them is a unique, special kind of 'pay' you can't take to the bank or use to pay your bills."
To learn more, download our Nurse Salary Research Report today and find out how your salary compares with other nurses' pay.
Whether you're actively seeking a new job or assessing your next steps, explore Nurse.com's job marketplace to help match your experience and skills to the best-fitting role.
