Salary and retirement compared to other RN specialties?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jul 23, 2015

There's nothing to stop you from picking up some extra change once in a doing PRN. I think that the teachers' retirement scheme varies a bit from state to state. In my state I believe that it is much more generous than Social Security. They have a 'defined contribution' (to pension) from the state... so it adds up, even if they don't contribute any extra from their own salary. They can retire at a younger age (varies based on age & years of service) with health care benefits as well. Pretty sweet deal.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 23, 2015

I can't properly evaluate the retirement plan at the school you are looking at but ...

My sister was a school teacher in a public school. I am a nurse. We have approximately equal education and are close in age. Our history is this: My cash pay has always been significantly higher than hers, but her benefits have always been better than mine.

1. Her state-funded pension plan allowed her to retire while in her early 50's with 30 years of experience -- getting 60% of her highest salary (adjusted annually for inflation) for the rest of her life. Had she worked for 5 more years, she would be getting 80% of her highest salary (adjusted annually for inflation). So ... she took the early retirement at 52 years of age and worked a little part-time as a substitute teacher for the next 8 years to supplement her income. She will also get Social Security. So ... 60% of highest salary + Social Security = Minimal pay cut in retirement.

Me? I got more cash, but have had to save a lot to give myself a good retirement as I have never had any pension. When I retire, I'll just have SS and whatever I have saved on my own.

2. Her graduate school was 100% paid by the school district. Me? - I got some scholarships and grants, but was mostly on my own to pay for my grad school.

3. For most of her career, her health insurance had no co-pays and nothing was taken out of her check to pay for it. Even now that she is retired, she is still eligible for the group plan of her school district: she just has to pay the whole cost. And in the past few years, they have instituted a $10 co-pay for each office visit. (She asked me if I thought $10 was excessive.) I pay a portion of my premiums out of each pay check and have a $20-$60 co-pay for each office visit depending on the type of physician or service.

4. And oh, yea ... She only worked 10 months per year. I have always worked 12 (not to mention nights, weekend, and holidays). Yes, school teachers can work hard, too. But she readily admitted that by teaching the same grade every year, all she had to do each year was tweak her teaching plans and materials a bit -- not completely re-do them. Even she admitted that after the first couple of years, she did minimal homework outside of regular school hours.

So as you are considering everything ... don't forget to look closely at the differences in benefits being offered. They can make a big difference in the quality of your life (and your finances) in the long run.

okiedokie123 · Jul 23, 2015

That's an excellent way to look at it. However, I think I am mostly frustrated because:

1) Lack of Social Security (Since you are contributing to the teacher's pension plan, the years you work for the school district don't count towards Social Security, at least where I am)

2) Low salary (HouTx did mention PRN work so I could look into that, or some sort of summer job)

3) Low raises for MSN or DNP (School district salaries for MSN or DNP nurses are still in the median 50K range, and there are no positions for Nurse Practitioners that usually can command an 80K or more salary.)

Maybe I just need to look into a lucrative summer job. I really wish money wasn't a thing, but it is...got to pay the bills somehow!

RatherBHiking, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2015

No school nurses are not truly happy our salaries are pegged to teacher salaries at all. However, you don't become a school nurse for the money. We work 200 days a year in our district so if you break down the salary for only 200 days you'll find it's not quite as big of a difference in hourly rate.

We can retire with full benefits at 52 with 30 yrs experience or age 60 with at least five years experience. Obviously the longer you work the more you'll get but it's much more than you could retire with than our hospital retirement plan and a lot earlier. Our insurance is a little less and co pays a little better but it wasn't a huge difference for me. Our dental is free and eye insurance about the same.

I like the life-work balance I have better as a school nurse. I get a week off at most major holidays and two months off in the summer. I never have to worry about risking my life in a blizzard to get to work.

It doesn't bother me if someone has a better car, bigger house, etc. because there will always be those who have more. The stress of trying to keep up with that kind of lifestyle really isn't worth it. However, if that's important to you then don't go into school nursing. I figure if teachers can live on this salary there's no reason I can't.

However, understand there's very little advancement or opportunities for growth. Sure you can get another degree or certification but the job position stays the same. If you have aspirations of being a flight nurse, working in the NICU, working as a trauma nurse,etc then work towards that.

If school nursing truly appeals to you then try it for a year. You may find you love it and that keeping up with teachers is much easier. :)

amoLucia · Jul 28, 2015

I was going to comment that it's a mixed bag of opinions out there, but I personally espouse the 'big picture' presented by PP llg, who presents the 'other benefits' side of school nursing.

I want to smack my retired BF when he innocently brings up some issue that is affected by his retirement benefits (and I then compare what I have/have not). His whole professional career had been in education, complete with his doctorate and politically appointed positions. I bring him down a couple reality pegs when I confront him.

I would also bring up that teachers are predominantly unionized so that provides union benefits of seniority, longevity, tenure and union representation in disciplinary actions. Oh, that nursing would be so unionized!!!

3peas · Jul 30, 2015

Are school nurses truly happy that their salary is pegged to the teachers?

Does your degree mean something or do something that's their's doesn't? You're applying to a job in the education world, but expecting or wanting to be paid higher than those who are dominate in the field. And who many could hold higher degrees than you (unless you have a masters degree or doctorate). Remember tax dollars supply the salary not insurance companies.

I'm a former teacher and now an extremely happy school nurse who is jumping for joy to be out of the classroom and in the clinic. I couldn't get out of the hospital fast enough and back into the schools because of the students, the schedule, and I actually get to use my assessment skills and really use the nursing process. I'm not trying to get into a debate about hospital nurses not doing that, I'm just saying on my extremely understaffed floor it didn't happen.

If this is what you want you take the job regardless of money. Money does NOT bring you happiness. You wouldn't have applied for a job in a completely different specialty if it did. But be prepared for isolation and if you think nurses are alpha females wait until you meet teachers in their element.

sippee · Jul 31, 2015

As a nurse who went from the operating room to school nurse I can say there are good and bad to both. The hours are better and for the numbers of hours you work the pay is good. Not at first but when you reach the upper salary steps. The retirement varies from state to state.My state made extreme cuts so their will be no early retirement or great pension. No one tells you what to do but on the flip side you are on your own when an emergency happens. In the OR there where loads of people and personalities both good and bad. In the school you are definitely more isolated. you get where I am going with this.... you should pick the specialty you will enjoy going to on a daily basis because summers off or not, you still need to show up every day.

I still struggle with leaving the OR and missing all it comes with. I also have young children and the schedule is great. I personally think I would love to work three days a week all year than five days with summers off..but that's me. My advice is to sub as a school nurse to see how you like it and then go from there. Good luck!