NP Salary vs. RN salary

Specialties NP

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I have a friend who just started working as a NP about a year ago and she said she is really disappointed she didn't go to CRNA school because she is making the same money she made as a RN in the hospital. When she did agency work she made even more, she says another nurse said she should should have looked into travel Nursing, they average around $100,000.00 some years depending on the assignments they choose. I am considering CRNA school cause I want to make a great income too but if you can be a BSN with over time, travel nurse on occasion and do some agency work why bother going into debt? and suffering 30 months in a CRNA or NP program. Could anyone clarify this for me? This just doesn't make sense to me? I can see if you want to open your own clinic as a NP, that was my dream until I found out in Missouri you cannot open a clinic. I'm still investigating if this is true. That's the reason I chose to go the CRNA route. Anyway can someone explain the salary differences to me, I read NP magazine by advance and they are giving salary ranges that are for NPs who have been in the field for a while. I believe I'm confused. Any clear answers will be greatly appreciated I'm also sharing this info with nurses at work who are in limbo about what advanced degree to pursue.

Thanks!

I won't argue the money is a motivator in advance practice. I planned for and saw a 30k jump on my base pay. But primary care was something I envisioned long term when I first started down my healthcare path. I'm sure I could make my current salary easily by pulling extra shifts and picking up call hours. But I'm also not the kind of person who wants to physically be present or on call all the time to make that difference. I get burned out by that. Now granted as a salaried provider I put in extra hours looking out for labs and the occasional at home charting. But it's when I want to and because of the responsibility I feel for my patients.

Specializes in ICU.
I haven't worked as an RN so I can't speak to their salary, but I became an NP so I could have autonomy and a better lifestyle than I could have as an RN (hospital based).....

Wow. Never worked as a RN? Is that the norm or the exception? Did you consider becoming a PA?

NP salaries are widely variable all over the country. Within one region you will often find large differences. Everyone doesn't get a big raise when they become an NP. I am old school, and I did not do it for the money. My first NP job in 2004 was 47k, about the same as I made an an RN. I was genuinely very surprised when a few years later, I started making real money

If you are an RN making 80k and you are reasonably happy with your job, why would you take on huge debt for the 20k increase you might get as an NP ?

The satisfaction rate for the NP career probably approaches 90%. We usually love your jobs, we love our Mon-Fri schedule and we love being providers.

That being said, an NP friend of mine did not get a raise and now she has to figure out how to pay back 80k.

If you are doing it mostly for the money, you will probably be disappointed.

all these big dollar stories from the above posters are what keep for profit schools floating.

xyz made 200k doing blah blah- yeah well they were probably provided a mixed bag of skill and luck allowing them to do this. its not the norm.

They also probably went to good schools, which is one of not many

also, lol at this ad next to my post about all these for profit no work NP schools handing out worthless degrees

Above Quote::::I've received 4 job offers as a new NP and the hourly ranges are $40.00 -$48.00 an hour = $83K to 99K with no weekends, no holidays and a generaous bonus structure. I don't know of any RNs who are making that equivalent unless they are busting out some overhand, double shifts, night work, weekends and holiday time..

I came across this forum, because I'm in a np program and generally wanted to see what nps are accepting as wages. I've been an RN for 12 years, travel for 4. What I can tell you is that travel pay equals out to what the above poster is accepting for an NP wage. Remember in travel one has duplicate housing expenses. An RN and a NP are not the same job or the same role. I personally would not accept the NP wage listed above. This is short changing the profession and extra work the RN has accomplished in school and time. Of course everyone has different experience and value.

I've received 4 job offers as a new NP and the hourly ranges are $40.00 -$48.00 an hour = $83K to 99K with no weekends, no holidays and a generaous bonus structure. I don't know of any RNs who are making that equivalent unless they are busting out some overhand, double shifts, night work, weekends and holiday time.

I came across this forum, because I'm in a np program and generally wanted to see what nps are accepting as wages. I've been an RN for 12 years, travel for 4. What I can tell you is that travel pay equals out to what the above poster is accepting for an NP wage. Remember in travel one has duplicate housing expenses. An RN and a NP are not the same job or the same role. I personally would not accept the NP wage listed above. This is short changing the profession and extra work the RN has accomplished in school and time. Of course everyone has different experience and value.

When I was a "first choice"rn Pacu only (essentially pool across 5 hospitals), I was getting 42 an hour. Now granted this was non benefited and I could easily be sent home for low census, but it was substantial pay for Michigan. Regardless, most who want to make those levels either sacrifice benefits or precious time.

I am a travel RN with guaranteed 36 hours per week. Can't be called off. I have benefits and retirement in Travel. I guess I should consider myself lucky for having put in the time and effort to be in this position(?)The only thing I do not have as a travel rn is PTO. I do take off when I want. I'm just not paid:)I work at one hospital for 13 weeks, if the facility and myself feel it's a good fit there is extension,(up to 12 months). If I extend longer I would not be considered eligible for the travel stipends any longer. The only reason I am in an NP program is because that was my goal when I entered the Nursing field. In healthcare we are always changing and learning. I am continuing with my original goals , but hope to be compensated adequately after I finish my continued education and add on loans.

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