Numbers does matter. Many people, not just nursing, choose a profession that (1) have high salaries (2) and something they like. Many would disagree, but I am just laying out the facts. First and foremost, I am blessed to be a registered nurse, especially during these unprecedented times. So many people are unemployed right now and I feel terrible in, still, search for a career that will pay me more $$$, so that I can retire early. When I was a young nurse, I had a goal of going to CRNA school, just like the majority. Obtained all the requirements and even re-took my sciences, but after shadowing CRNAs in action in the O.R., I realize the profession was not for me. I attended ACNP school, but left the program, knowing it wasn't for me also. I needed a challenge, but at the same time, I didn't like the whole nursing thing anymore. Just fed up with how nurses treated each other. My hospital pays 100% of nursing tuition (e.g., BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD, even Pharmacy) with the exception of no more than 18 credits/year. It's a great deal, you just have to be a full-time staff and give them a year after finishing your degree before leaving, otherwise, you will have to pay all that tuition back, which is fair. I did my MSN in Administration and did not pay a single dime. Now, do I want to be a manager or a director... hmmm, not yet. I was offered to be nurse educator for critical care, but turned it down.
So, my post is about nursing salaries. I remain a bedside nurse, because of union benefits (e.g., retirement, school, health, etc...). I practice as a vascular nurse specialist, aka PICC nurse to the majority. It's a good gig, very low key, work independently without an NP responsibility. I am practically a ghost. I only come out when I get called for PICC or Midline insertions. Been an RN for more than 10 years now and my salary as a bedside nurse is $120,000 with 10 OT every year, which is not bad. A lot of NPs start with this salary and they do a lot of work. I admire these nurses, and alike. At one time, due to short staffing, I did a lot of OT my salary reached $170,000. Any thoughts on other specialties with high salaries that doesn't do much. Don't know about you guys, but as a nurse, we work like horses, often forgetting our own health. I left ICU 6 years ago because I had shoulder issues, which I needed surgery on it eventually.
