The Best-Paying Nursing Jobs With an Associate Degree in Nursing
The quickest path to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) is through obtaining an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). ADN programs consist of lecture, lab, and clinical components and typically take around 18 to 24 months to complete.
Upon completion of an ADN program, students receive an Associate Degree in Nursing and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses). Successfully passing the NCLEX-RN indicates that candidates possess the minimum required competency needed for RN licensure.
ADN-prepared nurses can work in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. While some employers now prefer to hire Registered Nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, there are still many career opportunities available for ADN-prepared nurses.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for RNs in the United States is $81,220. Unfortunately, the U.S. Bureau of Labor does not report differences in income between ADN and BSN RNs.
Though not always the case, an ADN-prepared nurse will usually make a lower salary compared to a BSN-prepared nurse. Nurses who hold a BSN or higher are also able to move into higher-paying positions more easily, such as leadership or management.
While they may hire ADN-prepared nurses, many employers expect ADN RNs to eventually continue their education and obtain a BSN degree. Some employers even have a written stipulation in their hiring contracts that the ADN-prepared nurse must obtain a BSN within X amount of years of employment. Many colleges across the country have ADN-to-BSN bridge programs, which usually take between two to three years to complete with full-time study.
The highest-paying careers for RNs as identified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics are as follows:
1. Government RN
Average annual salary: $92,310
Government RNs provide patient care within a government-owned facility, such as a VA hospital, a state-run hospital or health department, or within a branch of the U.S. military.
Typical duties for a government RN vary based on the clinical setting, but often include obtaining and reviewing vital signs, performing patient assessments, administering prescribed medications and treatments, IV therapy, phlebotomy, collecting specimens for laboratory testing, providing patient education, assisting patients with activities of daily living, and maintaining accurate patient records. Military RNs may provide care to civilians or to other enlisted military personnel.
Government-owned hospitals provide 24/7 patient care, so those RNs typically work 8- or 12-hour shifts on days, nights, weekends, and holidays. RNs at state-run health departments often work 8-hour day shifts because these facilities are usually open during normal business hours. Military RNs can work a variety of shifts in many settings, depending on the needs of the military
2. Hospital RN
Average annual salary: $82,250
Hospital RNs work in private hospitals, either non-profit or for-profit. They can work in many different specialties, including med-surg, intensive care, pediatrics, women’s health, oncology, nephrology, orthopedics, surgery, emergency, and more. Hospital RNs may work as a staff nurse, charge nurse, or in leadership and management positions.
Typical duties for a hospital RN include administering prescribed medications and treatments, inserting and maintaining IV lines, phlebotomy, collecting specimens for laboratory testing, providing patient education, assisting patients with activities of daily living, and maintaining accurate patient records.
Private hospitals are open 24/7, so hospital RNs may be required to work days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
3. Ambulatory RN
Average annual salary: $78,670
Ambulatory RNs work in a variety of outpatient settings, including walk-in clinics, urgent care centers, doctor’s offices, and same-day surgery centers. The RN may work as a staff nurse or in a leadership/management position.
Specific duties will vary based on the outpatient setting, but they often include obtaining vital signs, conducting laboratory testing, starting and maintaining IV lines, administering injections, performing phlebotomy, providing patient education, and obtaining relevant information for the patient’s record.
Most ambulatory care centers are open during normal business hours, so RNs typically work 8-hour day shifts. However, many clinics and urgent cares have extended evening or weekend hours that require RN coverage. Most ambulatory care centers are not open on federal holidays.
4. Long-Term Care RN
Average annual salary: $75,410
These RNs provide patient care in skilled nursing facilities, rehab facilities, and nursing homes. Long-term care RNs are also responsible for supervising licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) working alongside them.
Typical duties for a long-term care RN include administering prescribed medications and treatments, performing patient assessments, obtaining and reviewing vital signs, maintaining accurate and updated patient records, assisting patients with activities of daily living, and providing education to residents and/or their families.
Long-term care RNs usually work 8- or 12-hour shifts, depending on the employer. Long-term care facilities house residents who require 24/7 nursing care, so day, night, weekend, and holiday shifts are typical.
5. School RN
Average annual salary: $65,450
School RNs work with school-aged children in both private and public schools. They may also work in health services at a college or university. School nurses are responsible for the health needs of both the students and faculty.
School RNs conduct many different types of health screenings for students, including screenings for hearing, vision, scoliosis, mental illness, and sports. Other common responsibilities for a school RN include administering prescribed medications and treatments to students with established medical conditions, maintaining student health records, and assessing sick students. School nurses may also be responsible for overseeing school infection control standards and monitoring for contagious illnesses or infestations (i.e. lice). School nurses must also be prepared to respond in case of a medical emergency, as the school RN is often the only staff member with medical training.
School RNs usually work during school hours, Monday through Friday. They are usually off on weekends, holidays, and school breaks. Thus, school RNs only work approximately nine months out of the year.
