Modern nurses appreciate a handsome salary and an impressive compensation package. There is a greater need for nurses today than ever before. Nurses with administrative skills and specialized training enjoy even more generous salaries. You will definitely be able to support yourself on a nurse's salary.

What are Licensed Practical Nursing Salaries?

Because LPNs require less education than RNs, they typically earn less money. Within only a year, you can start earning a good living as an LPN. If you don't have time to spare, an LPN career is financially and personally rewarding. A beginning LPN earns an average salary of about $33,000. With 5 years experience or more, you can earn an average of $44,000 or higher. Top LPNs may earn upwards of $53,000.

What are Registered Nursing Salaries?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for registered nurses in 2008 was $62,450. The lowest 10 percent of registered nurses still earned about $43,000 annually. The highest earning 10 percent of nurses earned over $92,240 annually. The median salary for nurses was $51,640 to $76,570. As a registered nurse, you will earn over $43,000 annually with the opportunity for overtime.

The specialty area where registered nurses earned the most was employment service nurses earning $68,160 annually. Nurses working in hospitals earned an average of $63,880. Lower salaries between $57,060 and $59,210 were paid to nurses working in physicians' offices, home health care services and nursing care settings.

What Type of Compensation Packages Do Nurses Receive?

Nurses usually earn a generous compensation package in addition to an excellent annual salary. Medical and health coverage are typically offered to nurses. Other benefits extended include tuition reimbursement, life insurance and a pension plan. Due to an increasing need for skilled registered nurses, a skilled LPN can easily learn and earn at the same time, with their employer footing the bill.

Why Are Nurses Paid So Well?

There are several reasons why nurses are well-paid. First and foremost, nurses have the responsibility of caring for patients. To provide outstanding care, nurses need to be organized and keep accurate patient records. Mandatory overtime is often required for nurses because many medical facilities are understaffed due to a nursing shortage. Sometimes nurses are required to work on holidays, depending on their employer. Demanding work, lack of staff and long hours are reason why nurses are paid a generous salary.

Linda Richard was the first official trained nurse in America and graduated in 1873. Richard commented about nursing, “Nurses are to be obedient, without question.” Nurses today need to think independently yet listen without question when necessary. Skill, education and experience gives nurses the ability to effectively handle any situation.

Are There Opportunities to Earn Even More in Nursing?

A dedicated LPN is likely to be recognized by administration and offered tuition reimbursement to become an RN. If you are already working as an RN, you can earn a master's degree in nursing science to work in administration yourself. Other areas to consider are research and education. Nursing opportunities are virtually limitless with administrative nurses earning over $100,000 annually.

What Other Rewards Can I Expect From Nursing?

Nurses receive other reward beyond outstanding salaries and benefits. Most nurses have flexible work schedules. While they might be required to work long hours on occasion, they also have a chance to customize their schedules to accommodate their personal life. For example, a nurse can work the evening shift while their spouse works during the day. Many nursing positions have access to child care or child care assistance. Nurses are in great demand, so employers usually pay significant bonuses to valued staff.

Also, nurses have the satisfaction of taking care of others. This makes nursing a personally rewarding way to earn a living. Famous missionary RN, Erin Pettengill, said, “We often think of nursing as giving meds on time, checking an X-ray to see if the doctor needs to be called, or taking an admission at 2:00 a.m. with a smile on our faces. Too often, we forget all the other things that make our job what it truly is: caring and having a desire to make a difference.”