Advancements and Pay?

[Ryguy115]

Hi all!. I am on track to graduate and become a nurse this spring and just had a quick question regarding advancement and pay in the future.

I know that as a nurse with a bachelors degree, you can only make so much money in a hospital. (obviously there are exceptions but from what i have read it seems the spread is between $55,000-$100,000). I was wondering if there are other fields down the line i could switch into that pay higher salaries? I would eventually like to make over six figures a year and have found that not many nurses achieve this in a lifetime. Thank you for your time!

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

It seems that the only nurses who make that kind of money are the ones who have been in the facility the longest and have union protected pay increases. Or managment who negotiate a salary with regular increases.

A nurse practioner in practice could as well.

A nurse in facilities in my area who have a BSN get a whopping 25 more cents an hour more than a ADN/ASN. So concevably, if one starts at $25 an hour, it could take 20 plus years to reach the level of $100k a year.

Another thought is the legal nurses--some have JD's.

Private duty where you can make your own salary requests are also an option.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

The nurses (without an advanced degree) who make the most money are those who pick up extra shifts, work overtime consistently and often work the shifts with shift diff.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I am a legal nurse consultant and certified nurse life care planner. I have quite a few colleagues who make six figures regularly. Caveat: all of us are quite well beyond the new grad level, just about all have BSN, many have master's, and a good number have doctorates, not to mention a lot of other experience and education. Do not expect to do what we do and get paid what we get paid in less than 15-20 years (at least).

But hey-- we were all there once, and that's one reason we're here now. Get started, and remember the future gets here faster than you think.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

The only way you would make six figures in my area (deep south) is to work a lot of over-time, and/or to work prn at premium rates, which usually means nights, weekends, and most holidays, with no benefits. Most facilities I have worked at "top out" at certain rates. You get a yearly evaluation, but you don't necessarily get a raise, because you are already making the maximum RN salary. We do not pay extra for the BSN, by the way. You will probably want to go for nurse practitioner, CRNA, etc., for increased pay. Keep in mind that jobs are hard to get, period, and the schools are putting out so many nurse practitioners in my area that they are having to accept less pay, just to get a job. A lot of people think that nurses in management or education make more money, but that is not true in my area. The people that are "salaried" work the most hours, and do not get extras such as overtime. Being an RN is NOT the way to get rich quick, ha ha.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

You didn't say what part of the country you live in; that makes a big difference. You will get to your six figure goal a lot faster in California than you will in Alabama.

Generally speaking, "down the line" you can certainly earn more money if you advance your education, add certifications and valuable experience to your CV and seek leadership positions.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I know a few nurses who make six figures as floor nurses; however, they are independent contractor agency nurses.

The most I made was 30 grand less than six figures; I was a LPN working at two agencies, with one day off. I don't see myself going down that road again... and I don't recommend it either.

I agree; it will take time to be in that position as GrnTea and many posters mentioned...along with a saying that one of my nursing instructors have:

"Nursing will NOT make you rich; but you WILL sure make a living..."