Bachelor of Science in Nursing Salary
For those individuals pursuing a nursing career, the average Bachelor of Science in Nursing salary ranges, on average, from $50,000-$100,000 depending on a variety of factors. As an extremely promising field of study to pursue with today’s growing, elderly “baby boomer” population, most individuals who choose the Bachelor of Science in Nursing career path are personable, compassionate individuals with a strong interest in science and patient hospitality.
A typical degree program consists of 4 years and 125 credits hours, divided among courses such as general education requirements, sociology, human anatomy and physiology, and a multitude of nursing-specific courses and in-clinic internships. Students are usually required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 throughout their studies, which varies from one college to another.
A few of the top Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree programs include those provided at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in Baltimore, MD, the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, and Yale University in New Haven, CT. While Yale University has the distinction of being the first university school in the U.S. to provide a nursing education program, the University of Pennsylvania was ranked one of the best northeastern U.S. colleges by the Princeton review in 2012, and Johns Hopkins School of Nursing provides students with the opportunity to study and work abroad.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Salary Details
Several components, such as education, experience, location, and performance, have the potential to influence an individual’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing salary. First and foremost is education. Without a proper 3 or 4-year education from an accredited school of nursing, an individual will not make it very far in the nursing field. Obtaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher while in nursing school also helps in terms of salary and job placement.
In general, the longer someone has been practicing nursing, the more experienced he/she is, and thus the more likely he/she is to obtain an above-average Bachelor of Science in Nursing salary in this field. For example, an nurse with 1-4 years of nursing experience can expect to earn an average of $59,520-$91,952 annually, whereas someone with 20+ years of experience can expect to earn up to $104,588 annually.
Location is also an important factor in terms of Bachelor of Science in Nursing salary. Depending on the cost of living for the area, some states offer better salaries than others. For example, California’s average nursing salary ranges from $69,317 to $109,467 annually, whereas Tennessee’s average salary range is significantly lower at $52,942-$89,144 annually.
Performance also plays a crucial role in salary determination; the more reliable, on-task, and productive a nurse proves him/herself, the more likely he/she will be to receive raises, bonuses and promotions.
Some specific job titles in this field include the general Registered Nurse, the Supervisor Registered Nurse, the Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse, the Charge Nurse, and the Clinical Nurse Manager, which possesses the highest hourly paid rate of $24.29-$43.94. Overall, any Registered Nurse position is in high demand today, with an expected 37% growth by the year 2016. Graduates can maximize their Bachelor of Science in Nursing salary through diligence, hard work, dedication, reliability, and perseverance in this field.