Nurse Manager Salary

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 2, 2015

There is no way to tell from you post. What is the normal salary range for managers at that hospital? In your area? Is your current compensation at the top of the staff nurse salary range? or somewhere in the middle? etc. Do you have any special qualifications that should put you above most other managers? Or are you minimally qualified for the job?

You probably won't get a big pay raise, particularly if you are currently making a lot as a staff nurse because of shift differentials, overtime, etc. As a manager, you'll probably lose those financial benefits. But you should see your base salary go up. Keep in mind though, a lot of Managers make less per year that their top staff nurses who get a lot of bonus money by working overtime, off-shifts, holidays, etc.

The employer probably has a pay range for managers. Try to find out what that is (approximately at least) and then judge where you would fall within that range. If you are a brand new manager with no previous management experience, you should be near the bottom of that range. If you have additional qualifications, you will be higher.

Give us some more information (e.g. name of city and a bit about your qualifications) and maybe we can help a bit.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 4, 2015

All of what llg wrote is true. Thus, talk to HR. Based upon where you are located in this country geographically, your employer will pay competitive with the nearest facilities but no more. And as llg has pointed out, if you are new to management, you may be offered the lowest pay. Do not take it wrong, it is still a good thing because they will being paying a lot of money (if it is a good hospital/company) to train and support you in your career growth. To include transitioning you well enough, where you will not to want to quit after a few months.

Also, although most staff RNs may take home way more than his/her management team because of the OT, double shifts, extra shifts, third weekends, holidays, etc., managers of a good company have opportunities for major bonuses based on performance and have opportunities for career advancement, educational advancement, and access to a network of others that is second none, which I find to be priceless.... Not to mention, I prefer to be a manager with all of its difficulties, then to return to bedside nursing as a Staff RN in the hospital setting because the atmosphere is junior high at best in stark contrast to the management team, who are very professional. Every shift I am living my dream! Even if it is a bad shift. Good luck to you. Keep us informed. :)

jrt4 · Sep 9, 2015

I agree with the above posters. It will heavily depend on where you are located in the country. Where I first worked in Indiana the average salary for a nurse manager was 65-75K. In chicago the average is 100K+ The only thing I really miss is being able to pick up overtime to make a little extra money. Some organizations will still let managers pick up shifts above their normal 40 hours to work in staffing for extra money...unfortunately my current organization does not.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 10, 2015

The only thing I really miss is being able to pick up overtime to make a little extra money. Some organizations will still let managers pick up shifts above their normal 40 hours to work in staffing for extra money...unfortunately my current organization does not.

I understand not allowing managers to pick up hours as a Staff RN or as front-line staff for political reasons, but what about as a House Sup? Where I work only mangers of my facility or other facilities hold the Per Diem House Sup positions within my facility because it is a leadership position.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Sep 15, 2015

As a DON I can only pick up overtime in emergency situations when no one else is available. My employer understandably doesn't want to pay time and a half at my salary level when there are less expensive options available.