do specialized fields make more money?

[shortlittleRN]

I was wondering if specialty like ICU or oncology get paid more? anyone knows? THanks

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

It depends on the hospital. Some places have a differential for ICUs, OR, etc. Some only pay more if you're certified in that area.

[Reno1978, BSN, RN]

Where I work, you don't get paid more by your specialty, but you would get an increase if you're certified. CCRN credentials for ICU nurses, for example.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Like Reno, our facility does not have different wages for different units. ALL RNs are on the same sliding scale; that is, the number of years with facility, number of years experience are the wage determination factor, not the specialty.

But, like Reno said, we do get paid more for certifications. Most people wonder if it was ever worth the time and expense to GET certified, but I guess that's another topic!

Forgot to add something: in times of shortages on certain units, there will be sign-on bonuses for new hires in different amounts for different units. Basic supply vs demand stuff. However, you don't qualify for those bonuses without experience in those areas already.

[MikeyJ, RN]

Where I live, hospitals will typically pay a fairly large differential for ICU areas because we have such a large nursing shortage.

In fact, when I graduate I could either take a job in Peds or PICU (I will be going tothe PICU) and after my 6 month probationary period, I will be making probably $28/hour compared to the $24 made on the regular ped's unit.

Also, you are not able to max out your RN salary on a non-specialized floor -- you need to be working in an ICU (or doing charge nursing) to max out the RN salary at my hospital.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

4% differential for working ICU here.

When floor nurses move to ICU they get a 4% raise, after their orientation and taking a critical care course.

New grads all start out the same wherever they go. But if a new grad starts in ICU after their orientation and they complete a critical care course, they will get a 4% raise. It's a one-time deal.

[bluefabian]

I was wondering about these too.

As much as people wants to specialize, there will always be the factor of 'waiting-in-line', opportunity and seniority. Some people I know worked 5 years in an area and never got certified.

If you only get a little more every month than those who don't, I think it's not justified (then again, it's quite far reaching that hospitals wanna pay more). Even more if you can do overtime and cover the amount that they pay for specialization.