APRN: Average Salary
When you're part of the medical field, it's a major decision to leave the bedside and seek an advanced practice degree. One type of advanced practice degree that many people find appealing is the advanced nurse practitioner degree.
With more than 211,280 nurse practitioners currently employed in the United States medical system, it is a fact that this profession attracts so many nurses. This medical pathway provides nurses with a stimulating job that makes them feel energized and enthusiastic.
So, if you're interested in learning more about the responsibilities, duties, and earnings that come with this profession, stay with us!
What Is an APRN?
An advanced practice registered nurse, shortly known as APRN, is a nursing professional who has received specialized training for a particular patient population or skill set. An APRN is a broad term for nursing professionals who have at least a master's degree in nursing and can perform many similar tasks to a doctor.
Nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives are all examples of APRNs who play essential roles in the future of healthcare. APRNs are frequently primary care providers in charge of introducing preventive care to the general public.
APRNs treat and diagnose illnesses, counsel the public on health problems, manage chronic disease, and interact in ongoing education to stay abreast of technological, methodological, and other advancements in the field. Because of the comprehensive care they provide, APRNs frequently develop solid and lasting relationships with their patients. APRNs educate patients on preventative health care in addition to providing treatment.
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To become an APRN, an individual must fulfill several qualifications. Before moving on, an aspiring APRN must first obtain an RN license and gain work experience as an RN. Nurses should also pursue extra education to earn at least a master's degree in nursing (MSN). Individuals who have completed an APRN degree program must pass a certification exam administered by an accredited national organization, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) before they can practice as an APRN.
How Much Does an APRN Make?
Aside from the unique skills and abilities, you bring to your position as an APRN, various factors can influence your salary, including your level of education, experience, employer, location, job title, and performance.
Average salary
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and nurse practitioners earn median annual pay of $123,780. The bottom 10% of professionals made less than $79,870, while the top 10% earned more than $200,540.
As of May 2021, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners earned the following median annual wages.
Nurse anesthetists earned $195,610 per year.
Nurse practitioners earned $120,680 per year.
Nurse-midwives earned $112,830 per year.
Earnings vary based on the setting where you work. Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners earned the following median annual incomes in these primary industries.
Hospitals; state, local, and private - $128,190
Outpatient care centers - $128,190
Offices of physicians - $121,280
Offices of other health practitioners - $104,790
Educational services; state, local, and private - $102,680
Salary based on experience
As mentioned above, an APRN makes $123,780 per year or $63,48 per hour. According to Payscale, there is an increase in an advanced practice registered nurse's salary as you gain more experience.
The average yearly income for professionals with less than one year of experience is $92,487. An average annual salary of $97,951 is earned by those with 1 to 4 years of experience. Professionals with 5 to 9 years of experience earn an average yearly salary of $103,800. Those with 10 to 19 years of experience earn an average yearly salary of $109,436. And finally, an annual average wage of $111,005 is earned by those with 20 years of experience in the field.
10 best-paying states for APRNs
As stated previously, as an APRN, you will earn a satisfactory salary. However, your earnings will also depend on the location where you work. The following are the 10 Highest Paying States for Nurse Practitioners, according to the most recent salary statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
California - $72.99 per hour or $151,830 per year on average
New Jersey - $65,87 per hour or $137,010 per year on average
New York - $64,39 per hour or $133,940 per year on average
Washington - $62,90 per hour or $130,840 per year on average
Massachusetts - $62,28 per hour or $129,540 per year on average
Oregon - $61,63 per hour or $128,190 per year on average
Minnesota - $61,06 per hour or $127,010 per year on average
Nevada - $59,46 per hour or $123,680 per year on average
Iowa - $58,35 per hour or $121, 370 per year on average
New Hampshire - $58,05 per hour or $120,730 per year on average
5 lowest-paying states for APRNs
While the majority of states in the US offer outstanding salaries for APRNs, there are some states that, for certain reasons, pay less than others. The five lowest-paying states for APRNs are:
Tennessee - $45,73 per hour or $95,120 per year on average
Alabama - $49,24 per hour or $102,410 per year on average
South California - $49,45 per hour or $102,850 per year on average
Missouri - $49,76 per hour or $103,490 per year on average
Idaho - $50,63 per hour or $105,290 per year on average
Skills That Can Impact an APRN's Salary
It is a fact that the job description of an APRN can be lengthy and complicated, with higher than average educational and experience requirements. In addition, the employers on the job market look for a particular set of skills in an APRN, and most of the time, their skills are the main factor that affects their earnings.
Here are some fundamental skills that can impact an APRN's salary:
Excellent communication abilities: Giving a medical diagnosis or ordering a laboratory test is one thing, but a great APRNP makes a patient feel heard while caring for their needs and those of their family members. It is critical to give avenues for patients to manage language hurdles and convey complex medical information in a way that patients comprehend. You will need to translate some complicated medical words into simple everyday language.
Outstanding leadership abilities: A nurse practitioner must interact with patients, family members, and other professional colleagues with compassion and care when making decisions as a provider. Nurse practitioners must be confident in making choices, even under challenging situations. If the necessity arises, you must be able to take command. You must, however, be a team player who understands when to assign duties to others.
Analytical abilities: Each patient and situation is unique. An effective APRN understands that they must modify their patient care and make changes or adjustments based on the case and the patient's circumstances. You must be able to adapt quickly as a critical thinker and decide what needs to be done.
Show patience under pressure: As an NP in a provider role, you will be expected to answer complex questions. It is critical to remain calm during difficult situations so that you can give clear instructions to improve patient care. You must be prepared to deal with stressful events calmly and precisely.
APRN Job Outlook
If you want to advance your nursing career, you should definitely consider becoming an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). This position enables field specialization, increased job autonomy, high job demand, and high earning potential.
The overall employment rate of nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and nurse practitioners is expected to grow by 45 percent from 2020 to 2030, substantially faster than the average for all occupations. Over the next decade, there will be around 29,400 job opportunities for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners.
Conclusion
Being an advanced practice registered nurse is worthwhile since the majority of NPs are content with their careers and jobs. A role as an APRN will give you the ability to earn a good living while keeping flexibility and autonomy. So, if you're thinking about going to school to become a nurse practitioner, you may expect a rewarding and exciting profession since every stage of my job as a nurse practitioner will have something new to offer.