5 Ways to Boost Your Income As a Nurse Today

Debra Riley

Published

A nursing career stands among the most noble and fulfilling professions, offering invaluable assistance to individuals during their most challenging moments. Beyond its inherent nobility, nursing can also provide substantial financial rewards.

It’s important to remember that incomes might vary and that earning potential can be influenced by many variables, including degree, state, and experience.

By taking strategic steps, you can enhance your salary as a nurse. Consider the following five ways to boost your income as a nurse:

boost income as a nurse

Study Abroad

Nurses have to deal with doctors of all types who handle conditions of various complications and require extensive knowledge. The most highly paid nurses are knowledgeable in many medical procedures, health care systems, and medical technology.

You can expand your knowledge by studying abroad, specifically in Europe, and gain critical skills. You can also focus on a particular medical profession, setting you apart for specific procedures.

Becoming a nurse practitioner is possible if you study abroad and extend your experience and knowledge.

Build Your Network

To enhance your career in any sector, networking is extremely important for those in nursing. Networking can introduce you to people who can help you meet others who share your views and experiences. Networking with nurses from different hospitals allows you to share experiences and possibly discover more effective patient care techniques.

You can also network with people who work in private hospitals, like administrators, who may like your social skills. These people in private hospitals receive requests for jobs in large numbers, and having them in your network can give you an upper hand.

Get Another Degree

You can boost your salary by earning another degree in a field that sets you apart, like a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. This degree is unique because it uses engineering principles to assess and analyze the body.

It brings an entirely new approach to treating diseases, something that will set you apart. The American International College describes it as bringing life science and traditional engineering principles in an entirely new way. It is an excellent way to understand conditions and their cause and lower medical costs by finding practical solutions faster.

travel for work and study

Work in Critical Care

Critical care is another part of medicine where a nurse can get much better compensation than regular registered nurses. To become a critical care nurse you must first get certified by a board. You can also get a certificate from the CCRN-K, which administrators and managers consider.

You need the certification to prove you can handle the high-level stress of dealing with critical care patients. Critical care nurses need to be able to respond quickly and think fast because critical care patients are often in significant danger of loss of life.

Move to a Different State

Finally, you can get better pay as a nurse by moving to a state where they pay nurses better, especially nurses with additional certifications. If you get a degree that allows you to add value, you can find States that pay much better for nurses with your qualifications.

You can move to one of seven states where you will earn significantly more than the National average salary for a registered nurse.

In California, for instance, nurses with additional education or certifications can make up to $125,000 a year. In Hawaii, nurses with the same qualifications can make up to $106,000 annually. Massachusetts is another state that ranks highly, with nurses making up to $131,000 a year when they have more education and experience.

map of US states and cities

Endnote

The nursing profession is a terrific career choice, especially if you enjoy supporting others during trying times. You can earn significantly more money if you pursue higher education abroad, develop a network that introduces you to better prospects or get a degree that enhances your ability to provide medical care or move to critical care.

Lastly, move to a state that offers better nurse salaries to ensure you make much more.