fbpx

Nursing Salaries in 2014

No one labors harder than an RN in their hospital job. Nurses aren’t afraid of hard work, but in LegalNurse.com’s National Nurses’ Stress Survey 84% of RNs stated they are not fairly compensated or want more pay. This finding should come as no surprise as the salary outlook for RNs in 2014 has not been terrific.

In May 2012 the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) identified the median annual wage for RNs as $65,470. In 2013 BLS identified that same wage at $66,220 – a 1.1% increase which means that RN salaries aren’t keeping up with inflation. These salary statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics support why the 3,312 RNs who completed the National Nurses’ Stress Survey feel they are not properly compensated. When your salary is not keeping up with inflation you have one of two choices: reduce your standard of living or do something to change your salary.

As one Certified Legal Nurse Consultant who has completed her first four medical malpractice cases shared, “Vickie, I had given up on myself. I had forgotten what I’m worth and I’m not just talking about money.” We all know job satisfaction encompasses a lot more than money, but when an entire profession is underpaid it’s difficult for a single individual to change their state.

While it is fitting that most of us are not laboring on Labor Day, all RNs should be reflecting on who they labor for, and why. It might be time to decide you are simply not willing to give up on yourself and do something about it before it’s too late.

I’m Just Sayin’

P.S. Comment and share whether you are fairly compensated at your RN job.

7 thoughts on “Nursing Salaries in 2014

  1. As most RNs, I’m not money motivated. A few years ago I found myself looking back, thinking where I SHOULD be in my career. Suddenly I realized I was right where I had WORKED to be. My career goal was to be a mom and volunteer. I worked as an RN for 10 years before having children (high risk L&D in university affiliated hospitals, management and traveled) and my youngest graduates from high school this year. During the last 21 years I worked every other weekend, got to stay home for awhile and for the last 7 years have taught health careers in high school. Not only have I been severely under paid working the longest hours of my life (teachers are more under paid than nurses and they have nowhere else to go), there is no appreciation, recognition and little opportunity for advancement. I am more motivated by my job well done than money and there’s not an ounce of that in this sector. I never wanted nor needed my Master’s but found myself saying I “needed” it. I was all but registered when, upon my mother’s suggestion, I decided to hold off another year. Something just wasn’t right. A week later, Vickie’s postcard arrived. Talk about a God moment! I considered the CLNC® Certification Program about 12 years ago but feared being self-employed. None of that now! With an empty nest in sight and my last year of teaching upon me, I am ready to be paid for what I am worth! If I’m going to work as hard as I do, I might as well be doing it for myself. I can’t wait to get started!!

  2. I completely agree that nurses are very underpaid and underappreciated. However, and I could be wrong, I think Florida takes the cake!! I moved down here from Pennsylvania because of family issues. I had to take a $10.00 per hour pay cut! Nurses in Florida get on average about $45,000.00 per year. I love where I live, but I hate the pay! One check alone of mine used to be able to cover all of our expenses. Now with my pay and my husband’s it’s a struggle. If I could move, I would!

  3. I also live in FL, Bridgett, and I fully understand your pain with the salary issue. FL is poor paying state, but a lot of the “service industry” states are. I don’t think our salaries are commensurate with our responsibilities. The expectations for Registered Nurses are mounting daily. It does sadden me that our profession is at the level it is. Hopefully things will improve!

  4. Ladies in Florida, I took my CLNC® training from LegalNurse.com in Orlando 2 years ago and never regretted it. Don’t get discouraged – you can do something to change all that if you are not a CLNC® consultant yet. In the CLNC® consulting business you get respect and good pay.
    From being in businesses before, this is the most economical business start and Vickie’s program will give you everything you need to become successful if you follow her guidance and that goes for any RN.
    Good luck!

    1. Sorry Vickie; I have one more thing to say, then I will rest my case.

      And Florida ladies (or any state in the USA), please take the NACLNC® Apprenticeship Program while you are at it. Simply because, I take that training with me into every case I have.

  5. Starting pay for registered nurses has not kept up with inflation. Wage increases have been 1-3% over the past 10 yrs. I believe the starting pay should be no less than $26.00 per hr. College degrees are not cheap.

  6. Yes it is sad but true, nursing salaries are not remotely keeping up with inflation. Over the past 12 years I have lived in an area of Maryland where the average raise was 1.5%, but with that each year the health insurance premiums went up more. So along with not keeping up with inflation, health insurance costs were more. So like most nurses, I started picking up extra shifts to help cover costs. I know I should be grateful to have that opportunity, but now I was working 48hrs/week. This is why I took Vickie’s CLNC® Certification Program. I have since moved to Delaware and am now ready to start working on my CLNC® practice!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*The opinions and statements made by Vickie Milazzo, the founder of Medical-Legal Consulting Institute, Inc. are based on her experiences and expertise, should not be applied beyond the specific context provided, and do not guaranty or project actual results. Vickie Milazzo is no longer involved in the operations or management of the business, but is involved as an independent education consultant.

Copyright © 1999-2024 LegalNurse.com.
All rights reserved.
CLNC® and NACLNC® are registered trademarks of
LegalNurse.com.