Salary of a Surgical Scrub Nurse
Surgical scrub nurses, also known as surgical assistant RNs, first assistants and surgical staff nurses, are highly trained registered nurses, certified as a registered nurses first assistant (CRNFA) or who hold certification in perioperative nursing (CNOR). The term "scrub" nurse simply is a reference indicating that a scrub nurse is a staff RN that is dressed in sterile clothing and has washed with anti-bacterial soap prior to entering the surgery suite. Salaries for surgical scrub nurses are dependent on location and the academic achievements and experience of the nurse.
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Education and Experiece
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The majority of surgical scrub nurses hold a bachelor of science nursing degree (BNS). Many have additional secondary education and hold a master's or doctorate. Prior to practicing as a surgical scrub nurse, RNs gain two-to-five years clinical experience in emergency trauma units, intensive surgical care or as an assistant surgical scrub nurse. Surgical scrub nurses sterilize surgical equipment and prepare the operating area with materials and supplies. They monitor the patients' vital signs, hand the surgeon instruments and assist with surgical procedures. They suture incisions, apply and change surgical dressings and provide post-operative patient care.
Nationwide Median Salaries
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According to MySalary.com, the national average annual salary for a registered surgical staff nurse is $79,999 as of 2011. Wage earners in the lowest 10 percent earn an annual median salary of $65,394. Surgical staff nurses in the highest 10 percent of earners receive a median salary of $92,920 per year.
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Surgical Nurse Salaries In Metropolitan Areas
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Staff surgical nurse salaries are reflective of the size of the hospital and the cost-of-living in the city where the nurse is employed. A random sampling of major cities across the country reflects a diverse range of salaries. New York City reports the highest surgical staff nurse salaries, an annual median income of $94,559 as of 2011, according to MySalary.com. Wage earners in the highest 10 percent received an average median income of $109,832. The lowest 10 percent receive an annual median income of $77,296. In Los Angeles surgical staff nurses earn an annual median income of $89,087. The lowest 10 percent earn $74,824, while wage earners in the top 10 percent receive an annual income of $103.477.
In 2011, Chicago, Illinois surgical staff nurses received an annual median income of $86,272. Seattle, Washington nurses earned a median income of $88.999, Houston, Texas reports a median wage of $81,454. Readington, New Jersery surgical staff nurses receive an annual median wage of $92,319.
Surgical Staff Nurse Salaries In Rural Communities
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MySalary.com reports that in 2011, rural communities experienced a high demand for registered staff surgical nurses. Richmond, Indiana, scrub nurses receive an annual median salary of $74,284. The lowest 10 percent of wage earners receive a median salary of $60,722, while those in the top 10 percent have a median salary of $86,282 per year. Surgical staff nurses in Coeur d Alene, Idaho, receive an annual median wage of $81,457. Plains, Montana, scrub nurses make $75,127 per year, Sand Springs, Oklahoma, reported annual median salaries for surgical scrub nurses of $77,708 and Canyon City, Oregon, reports salaries of $77,447. Alma, Kansas surgical scrub nurses receive a median wage of $71,765 per year while surgical scrub nurses in Georginia, Alabama are paid a median annual salary of $66,892. McCook, Nebraska, reported annual average incomes for surgical nurses of $60,223, one of the lowest 2011 median incomes for surgical scrub nurses reported by MySalary.com.
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References
- My Salary: Salary Wizard-Surgical Staff Nurse
- United States Department of Labor-Bureau of Labor Statistics: Registered Nurses
- My Salary: Salary Wizard-Surgical Staff Nurse-New York
- My Salary: Salary Wizard-Surgical Staff Nurse-Los Angeles
- My Salary: Salary Wizard-Surgical Staff Nurse McCook. Nebraska
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