Nursing Jobs and Salaries

Nurses care for patients in a variety of settings, including skilled nursing facilities or nursing homes, hospitals and doctors' offices. Some nurses provide home health care instead of working in an office or medical facility. Salaries vary depending on where nurses work as well as other factors.

Skilled Nursing Facilities

Licensed professional nurses and registered nurses care for elderly and disabled patients in skilled nursing facilities or nursing homes. They also care for those recovering from illness, injury or surgery. They administer medications, perform skilled nursing procedures like dressing changes, monitor patients' conditions and supervise certified nursing assistants. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical nurses working in skilled nursing facilities earned a median annual salary of $40,580 in May 2008 while registered nurses, who have more education, earned a median salary of $57,060.

Hospitals

Nurses work in a variety of positions in hospitals, including caring for patients in general medical and surgical units, intensive care units, emergency rooms, labor and delivery units, operating rooms and mental health units. They monitor patients' conditions; assist physicians with exams and treatment; administer medications and perform skilled nursing procedures like dressing changes, starting intravenous lines and inserting nasogastric feeding tubes and catheters. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in May 2008, registered nurses working in hospitals earned a medial annual salary of $63,880. While many hospitals prefer to hire registered nurses, some hire licensed practical nurses, too. They earned a median salary of $38,080 in May 2008. Salaries varied depending on their positions, years of experience and geographical locations.

Doctors' Offices

Some nurses work in doctors' offices where they check patients in, measure their vital signs and assist doctors with exams and procedures. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in May 2008, licensed practical nurses working in doctors' offices earned a median salary of $35,020 while registered nurses earned a median salary of $59,210.

Home Health Care

Some nurses provide home health care to patients, caring for them in their own homes. They work with elderly and disabled patients as well as those recovering from serious illness or injury. They monitor patients' conditions, perform skilled nursing procedures, communicate with doctors that order home health care services for patients and refer patients to other services like physical therapy and social services when needed. They also educate family members about how to care for their loved ones at home. Registered nurses working for home health care agencies in May 2008 earned a median annual salary of $58,740, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Licensed practical nurses earned a median salary of $39,510.

Sources:

Bureau of Labor Statistics. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos102.htm . Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm . Registered Nurses.