Category: Articles

Overall, nursing salaries vary depending on a number of factors:

• Level of nursing degree and nursing education
• Years of experience in a chosen field
• State and city where you work (cost of living)
• Type of work you do
• Type of specialty you pursue

Licensed practical nurses typically train for their careers through a year-long education program at a hospital, community college or vocational school. After graduation, candidates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to earn their nursing licensure.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2016-17 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median national annual salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is $42,490. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors.

To become a registered nurse, students must earn a two-year associate’s or four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing or complete a nursing diploma program. After earning their degree, candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain their registered nursing license.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2016-17 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median national annual salary for registered nurses is $66,640. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors.

Advanced Practice Nurses hold a master’s degree in a particular focus area and provide one-on-one patient care services similar to those a physician would perform. The following statistics show annual nurse salary ranges for the different categories of advanced practice nursing careers.

_{Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016-17 Occupational Outlook Handbook; Certified Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners.}

*The salary information listed is based on a national average, unless noted. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

The nursing shortage offers extremely advantageous opportunities for current nurses earning a higher degree and for nursing students preparing to enter the workforce. Many hospitals are now offering incentive programs such as:

• Recruitment bonuses (ranging anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000)
• Relocation assistance
• Housing assistance
• Day care
• Tuition reimbursement

These recruitment incentives go to nurses who accept a position at their facility and agree to a set work commitment.

A nurse needs to possess certain qualities to succeed and many of these characteristics can be useful in other fields. A few important attributes include:

• Problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Organized
• Team player

What else can you do with these skills? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that some nurses find work at blood drives, health screenings, in research and consulting. Here’s a look at some of your other non-nursing options:

If you’ve got a way with words, you may find a thriving career as a medical writer. Your medical background gives you the expertise to write in a variety of mediums, including:

• White papers
• Online articles
• Textbooks
• Grant proposals
• Marketing materials

This is a career where your attention to detail is important. Strong grammar and spelling proficiency is imperative as are solid research skills.

How to Get Started

Many medical writers work as freelancers which gives you flexibility and a way to be your own boss. However, be prepared to spend a lot of time marketing yourself at first in order to secure regular work.

Another option is to find employment with a health care facility or marketing agency. This can give you a bit more job security and benefits.

What you can do:

1. Create a portfolio of your work, ideally with health care writing samples.
2. If you don’t have enough material to create a portfolio, start a blog. If you’re interested in a certain area of nursing, carve out a niche and market yourself as an expert in the topic.
3. Join professional organizations such as the American Medical Writers Association.

While many roles in public health require a degree in psychology or social work, many nurses with bachelor’s degrees or higher are turning to patient advocacy as a full-time career.

As a trained nurse, you’re accustomed to making patient care your top priority. Problem-solving skills and a supportive nature are two of the most important qualities you’ll need in this role.

Some of your duties might include:

• Communicate to patients and their families about procedures
• Explain patient rights
• Support people of varying backgrounds

Some nurses who go into patient advocacy open their own firms, but if that doesn’t interest you, these companies can still be a good place to look for a job.

How to Get Started

1. Decide on the area of health care you plan to advocate for, particularly if you don’t have a nursing specialization.
2. Brush up on your communication skills. Enroll in seminars offering help with public speaking, diplomacy and general communication practices.

It may seem like the furthest career path from nursing, but pharmaceutical or medical device sales is not an uncommon career choice for people with nursing degrees. Since you have the medical expertise, as well as familiarity with certain medical equipment, you can provide knowledgeable explanations to potential buyers.

If you enjoy talking to people, have a knack for networking and are thick-skinned, a sales position may provide a good salary and the potential for career advancement.

How to Get Started

1. Include any previous sales experience on your resume.
2. Consider earning the voluntary Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative (CNPR) certification. You’ll need to complete a training program as part of the process.
3. Stay up to date on the latest developments on pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

While these are just a few non-clinical career options, take solace in knowing you may find opportunities available to nurses of all experience levels and specializations.