Nursing salaries are on average about $20,000 higher than the national median of $44,500. They can range significantly higher than that as well. Your salary when you become a registered nurse is based on age, experience, educational background, additional qualifications, location and type of industry you are located in. Students who have completed courses at nursing schools in California can expect to earn a very competitive salary when they become a registered nurse.
Basic points
- Registered nurses make up the largest healthcare occupation, with over 2.6 million jobs across the country
- 60% of these jobs are located in hospitals
- job opportunities are excellent; it is very unlikely that there will ever be a shortage of nurses, although you may need to relocate to certain understaffed areas as hospitals in large metropolitan centers may be overstaffed in some cases
What is the work like?
Nursing salaries are competitive compared to other fields because the work is very hard and is not the type of job that everyone is suited for. In some cases, the work is also a high-risk environment, depending on the location of the hospital you are working in. All of this is usually accounted for in any salary differences.
Nurses perform the following functions:
- treating patients
- educating patients and the public about medical conditions
- providing advice and emotional support to patients and family members
- record patients’ medical histories and symptoms
- help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results
- operate medical machinery
- administer treatment and medications
- help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation
- help patients and families manage illnesses and injuries
- explain post-treatment home care
- advise on diet, nutrition and exercise programs
- work in schools and other public places to advise on warning signs and symptoms of disease
- work in a variety of industries and institutions, such as schools, hospitals, research companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc.
Job outlook and nursing salaries
Overall, nurses in California and elsewhere in the country can expect to have excellent job prospects, although the situation may vary significantly based on geographic setting and industry. Many employers report that it is difficult to attract registered nurses and retain them, not because of the nursing salaries, but because of the nature of the work. Inner city critical care hospitals for example may have difficulty retaining staff because of the high stress environment, while rural communities have retention issues due to the isolation factor.
The field of nursing is constantly growing, so there will always be opportunities for newly registered nurses.
Earnings and nursing salaries
Nurses can expect to make a significantly greater amount than the national median. Registered nurses are in the upper half of the salary range of the country. Nurses in California make roughly the same salary as anywhere else in the country, based on location, industry, age and experience. The lowest 10% earned less than the national median, while the highest 10% earned more than $92,000 per annum. The largest number of nurses earned between $57,000-$68,000 in 2008.
Bonuses and benefits for nurses
Specific benefits in addition to the nurse salary of course vary by institution or industry, but generally most places offer flexible work schedules, child care, educational benefits and bonuses based on work. 21% of registered nurses across the country are also union members or are covered by a union contract that accord them even more benefits.
Related occupations and similar salaries
There are a number of related occupations to the nursing field that also provide similar salaries — these may be more interesting to you:
- dental hygienists
- diagnostic medical sonographers
- emergency medical technicians and paramedics
- physician assistants
All in all, nursing salaries remain one of the most competitive in the country and are one of the jobs which are most in demand as well.