RN Salary Specifications for various fields

There are many different types of nurses.  For every field, the RN salary range varies. Registered Nurses can be employed in various locations such as, surgical and general hospitals, psychiatric institutions, and home health care organizations. The annual RN salary ranges from about $44,190 up to $95,130.  The average salary per year is $65,000 to $80,000. Employment in the nursing field offers steady job security, and a significant level of financial freedom.

The RN Salary in Surgical and General Hospitals

When thinking of nurses, what usually comes to mind, are the Registered Nurses that work in general and surgical hospitals.  These are the nurses you usually see in emergency rooms and triage stations. There are several departments within a general hospital, where a Registered Nurse can be placed depending on her experience and education level. Larger hospitals can offer Oncology, Physical Therapy, and even Respiratory departments. The average RN salary for nurses in general hospitals is $68,610.

The RN salary varies by the type of position held in the hospital.  For example Head Nurses make significantly more than an ordinary Registered Nurse in the hospital.  The head nurse is usually the individual that is in charge of the other nurses on the floor, or department.  Head nurses can make around $85,000 a year. Because Head Nurses are actively working with every patient and case in the department, they are usually allowed an extra day off of work a week.

Interesting RN Salary Statistics for Psychiatric Hospitals

Registered Nurses also work in Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals.  Because these hospitals are generally smaller, RN’s that work here usually make a little less.  The average RN salary for a psychiatric nurse is about $65,600 a year.  These nurses are specially trained in the proper management of psychiatric patient behaviors.  They are usually accompanied by strong technicians, which act as guards in case the patient becomes irate.

Although the RN salary for a psychiatric nurse is estimated to be about $65,600 a year, nurses that are employed by a substance abuse hospital, generally make around $55,500 a year.  These nurses generally assist doctors in the medication and treatment of addicts.  Both of these types of nurses encounter many dangers as their patients are either mentally ill or suffering from withdrawal and can be unpredictable.

RN Salary Statistics by State

Not every state has the same high paying statistics. Public and private institutions determine the salary rates based on the supply and demand of the nursing field, so to speak. When there is an over abundance of Registered Nurse professionals and the demand for them is low, the salary average suffers.

As of right now, the State of California offers the highest paying nursing positions at $84,480 a year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recognizes five states as having the highest paid nurses in the nation. California, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Alaska, and Maryland are ideal environment for Registered Nurses and individuals looking to have a career in this field.

A career in nursing is both physically and emotionally demanding. Meeting new people daily can be an advantage to the job. However as a nurse, loosing patients is a daily struggle. The RN salary statistics show that although the job is demanding its participants are well compensated financially.

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