How Much Does a Surgical Nurse Make a Year?
Surgical nurses carry out a number of duties, from assisting surgeons during surgery to overseeing a patient's care before, during and after surgery. Surgical nurses must earn at least a two-year associate's degree in surgical nursing, and must pass the NCLEX-RN examination, which is the national licensing test for registered nurses. The amount a surgical nurse makes a year is affected by a number of factors, including employer, location and experience.
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Median Salary
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The median salary for surgical nurses in the U.S. was $74,197 in 2009, according to the All Nursing Schools website. The lowest paid 25 percent earned $65,718 or less, while the highest paid 25 percent earned $79,756 or more. Salary.com indicates a slightly higher median salary in 2011, $80,098 per year. The lowest paid 10 percent earned $65,474 or less, while the highest paid 10 percent earned $93,038 or more.
Certification
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Certification also impacts the salary of surgical nurses. You can obtain additional certifications and awards through continuing your nursing education or accomplishments at work. According to the All Nursing Schools website, nurses who had additional certification made an average of $9,200 more per year than nurses who weren't certified. Certification and other career awards and accomplishments can only improve your chances of earning a higher salary.
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Job Outlook
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The job outlook for nurses in general is positive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to grow 22 percent between 2008 and 2018. However, growth in specific nursing fields varies. The BLS also indicates that many procedures that were only performed in hospitals can now be performed in other medical centers or even ambulatory. This bodes well for surgical nurses who have experience with these procedures; they are not limited to only working in hospitals as medical technology advances and expands into more medical facilities.
Benefits
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Surgical nurses also typically receive other benefits in addition to their salaries. These benefits often include a medical and prescription drug insurance plan, dental and vision insurance and paid sick and vacation time. According to the Lehigh Valley Health Network website, other possible benefits include annual bonuses, a 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, on-site education and tuition reimbursement for continuing education.
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References
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