How Much Does an RN Make in Arizona?
Registered nurses are caregivers who manage the illness and injuries of their patients. They work with physicians and other medical personnel and sometimes supervise vocational and practical nurses. Registered nurses maintain patient charts, review medical histories and symptoms and perform tests to treat and diagnose patient illness and conditions. Most registered nurses earn very respectable wages. In Arizona, registered nurses earn wages above the national average.
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Statewide Earnings
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Registered nurses in Arizona held nearly 40,000 jobs in May 2009. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Arizona RNs earned mean annual salaries of $67,130. Nurses who earned the most made more than $89,740, while those who earned the least made less than $43,340. Registered nursing salaries vary by employer and years experience. In Arizona's largest metropolitan area, Phoenix, RNs earned annual mean salaries of $68,200. According to the BLS, about 21 percent of RNs are union members or covered by union contracts, in which case they are eligible to receive additional benefits and compensation.
National Earnings
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As a national average, registered nurses earned median annual wages of $63,750 in May 2009, which is slightly less than average RN salaries in Arizona. The highest-paid RNs earned more than $93,700 as of that time, whereas the lowest-paid RNs earned just below $44,000.
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Industry
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Registered nurses work in a variety of industries. The highest concentration of RNs are in medical and surgical hospitals, doctor's offices and home health care agencies. Registered nurses working in these industries earned mean annual wages ranging from $63,300 to $67,740 nationally. The top-paying industries for RNs include medical equipment and supplies manufacturing, federal government agencies and civic and social organizations. Registered nurses within these industries earned annual salaries of just less than $77,000.
Registered Nursing Programs
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There are currently 27 registered nursing programs approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Nursing candidates may obtain an associate's degree from local community colleges or a bachelor's degree from one of the state's major universities, including Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, Grand Canyon University and the University of Arizona. Admission requirements to most registered nursing programs in the state include successful completion of prerequisite courses such as English, Biology and Mathematics, as well as successful completion of a nursing entrance exam.
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References
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