Registered Nursing - Is it Right for You?

By Karen Rodgers

Nursing is a hard job. A registered nurse has to know everything from the science of starting an IV to the different drug interactions found in patients, to the symptoms of hundreds of diseases. Holistic nursing involves taking care of the whole patient and makes for a very long day. Add to that the fact that the average hospital floor nurse has 6 patients per shift and needs to meet all their needs, and you can see why nurses are always on the move. However, most nurses report great satisfaction with their work. Financially, registered nurses are well compensated.

Average Salaries
According to Salary Wizard, the average median salary of a registered nurse is $59,061 per year. When you think about it: that is an excellent salary for a professional who only has a Bachelor's degree and has passed the state certification test. Many professions (education for one) do not offer that as a median salary for their Masters level professional. A starting salary for an RN depends on the company and type of facility; however the starting salary for a graduate/fresh-out-of-college nurse is $43,000.

Bonuses
Added to the salary are a number of bonuses registered nurses can accrue if they negotiate with their facility. Because of the serious nursing shortage facing our country, hospitals are always trying to get as many nurses as possible. Many hospitals offer signing bonuses of $2,000 - $3,000 for a one year commitment and some offer as much as $5,000 for a three year commitment. Beyond signing bonuses, there are increases in salary if a person takes a weekend shift. It is also common for a nurse to be "called in" and offered "premium pay" (time and a half) if they will work during a scheduled off day.

Certifications
Another way registered nurses can bump up their salary is to add certifications or specialties to their resume. Registered nurses who become Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE), Clinical Care Specialists (CCS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or any number of certifications can ask for more money at the start of a contract and count on raises that take these certifications into account. The other plus to getting specialty certified is that the hospital will usually pay or reimburse the nurse for taking the course - so it's a win all the way around.

Pick Your Floor
Not all registered nurses do the same thing. Nurses on the Medical/surgical floor make less money than nurses who work on telemetry (who have extra cardiac training), intensive care or the pediatric unit. Each floor has its own special requirements for registered nurses. Of course, RN's that work in doctor's offices, for insurance companies or as school nurses make much less money than a hospital or specialty nurse.

With the added bonuses of insurance, education and compensated career advancement, as well as the fact most nurses work 3 days (3 twelve-hour shifts is the norm), registered nursing is a profession that is as rewarding as it is challenging.

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