The Salary of a University Nursing Assistant Professor
For nurses who enjoy sharing their professional knowledge with others, transitioning into nurse education can make for a fitting career after gaining clinical experience. Connie Vance, a nurse who decided to move into teaching, says that she finds contributing to her profession rewarding. Although salaries for teaching may not be as high as some other career choices, less tangible benefits make teaching worth the sacrifice for some nurses.
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Professor Ranks
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professors move through a responsibility and earning hierarchy throughout the courses of their careers. Like other post-secondary teachers, nursing teachers typically start as instructors, then earn an assistant professor title. Associate professor, and finally, professor, are the titles topping the college-teaching career ladder. A nursing teacher in an assistant professor position isn't entry-level but isn't a senior faculty member either, suggesting middle-of-the-road earnings for a college nursing teacher with this title.
Salaries
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing teachers at the post-secondary level made anywhere between $38,650 and $99,660 in 2010. The lower number represents the average salary for the lowest-earning 10 percent, while the higher number was the average salary for the highest-earning 10 percent. An assistant professor would probably earn close to the mean and median income figures. In 2010, the mean annual wage was $66,010, while the median was $62,390. Pay varies by location as well. Average salaries were considerably higher in California, New Jersey and New York, hovering around $80,000.
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Education Required
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You'll need education beyond your bachelor's degree if you want to teach at the post-secondary level and maximize your earnings. According to Vance's article, nursing professors hold at least master's degrees, although educators with this credential are usually limited to teaching associate degree programs, teaching as adjunct faculty or holding non-tenured clinical positions. To ascend to the rank of assistant professor, you need a doctoral degree. Nurse educators with doctoral degrees are expected to be academic, clinical and research leaders in the institutions where they teach.
Other Career Options
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If you're looking to apply your nursing education beyond clinical practice, teaching isn't your only career option. Many nurses move into positions working for the government or in business, and these careers offer some of the highest average salaries. While clinical nurses earned $67,720 on average in 2010, nurses teaching in colleges made $66,010 per year. Meanwhile, nurses employed by the federal government earned $79,530 annually, and nurses working for pharmaceutical companies took home $74,940.
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References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Teachers -- Postsecondary
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2010, Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2010, Registered Nurses
- Nurse.com: Why Teach Nursing?; Connie Vance; April 2004
- Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow: Nurse Educator
- Photo Credit Ablestock.com/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
