If you have a bsn degree, and you live in Florida, maybe you have thought about your salary possibilities. Most of us would like to be high paid, but the question is how: Should we become a pharmacist or work as an administrator? How high can we go paying just rn or bsn? Is it better to work in the public or private sector? This article will try to answer that and some other questions.
INTRODUCTION
Florida has long been a destination for retirees and it is the same today, which is one reason there is a high demand for RNs in Florida, especially those possessing a BSN.
As an RN, you intend to get a BSN; Undertake an RN-BSN program. The RN-BSN program in Florida is for RNs with an Associate Degree in nursing who wish to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
The BSN program usually takes four years, and it includes both liberal arts courses and classes that are specific to your major in nursing.
In Florida, R.N.s who work in a hospital setting can expect to earn an average of $48,000 per year. This is a little less than the national average for hospitals at $50,000 per year, but it’s still a good wage for the state.
If you’re looking for a change of pace from working in a hospital, there are plenty of other options available to you as well. You could work in an outpatient care facility or an urgent care center, for example. In these settings, you can expect to earn about $40,000 per year on average—a little less than what hospital nurses make but still more than most other fields offer RNs in Florida.
What to Consider in a BSN Program in Florida
A good BSN program should teach both medical and patient care skills that are closely related to evidence-based practices, communication, and leadership.
BSN programs with experienced and credentialed nursing faculty allow students to thrive in a system that creates natural opportunities for mentorship, communication, and empathetic practice.
Reasons why you should obtain a BSN
The following are some reasons you need to get a BSN:
1. The BSN provides you with a better chance of landing a good job.
2. Provides better salary and benefits.
3. Gives you more knowledge on patient care.
4. Provides opportunities for top positions in nursing.
BSN Salaries in Florida
Studies have shown that nurses with BSNs provide a higher level of care to patients, which has reduced the mortality rate of patients.
Also, this means that BSN-prepared nurses are remunerated more highly for their expertise than RNs who have ADNs or diplomas.
In 2013, there were 10,299 Florida nursing students who enrolled in BSN programs according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
They licensed many of these students RNs who were going back to school to get their bachelor’s degrees through RN-BSN bridge programs.
Analysis of Salaries among Nurses in Florida According to Credential
Data from the US Department of Labor shows that the median salary among RNs in Florida is 47.3% greater than that for LPNs:
1. LPN – $41,000
2. RN – $60,400BSN-educated RNs are the highest-earning RNs in Florida other than those. Salary data from the US Department of Labor reveals that the highest-paid BSN-educated RNs in Florida earn as much as $20,000 per year more than the median salary for RN in the state:
1. 90th Percentile Annual Salary – $81,380
2. 75th Percentile Annual Salary – $71,120
3. 90th Percentile Hourly Wage – $39.13
4. 75th Percentile Hourly Wage – $34.23
The salary review of RNs in the Southern US conducted by the Advance Healthcare Network for Nurses revealed the difference in average salary for the region based on degree level.
Salaries for BSN-Educated RNs in Key Regions of Florida
Area name | Employment | Hourly 75th percentile wage ($) | Hourly 90th percentile wage ($) | Annual 75th percentile wage ($) | Annual 90th percentile wage ($) |
Cape Coral-Fort Myers FL | 4580 | 32.94 | 36.13 | 68,520 | 75,140 |
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin FL | 1110 | 29.43 | 34.07 | 61,220 | 70,870 |
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach FL | 4070 | 30.69 | 35.78 | 63,840 | 74,430 |
Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach FL Metropolitan Division | 14300 | 38.62 | 44.30 | 80,340 | 92,140 |
Gainesville FL | 5540 | 33.17 | 36.86 | 68,990 | 76,680 |
Jacksonville FL | 13420 | 34.72 | 40.95 | 72,220 | 85,170 |
Lakeland-Winter Haven FL | 4320 | 32.21 | 35.86 | 67,010 | 74,590 |
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach FL | 51720 | 35.62 | 42.17 | 74,100 | 87,720 |
Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall FL Metropolitan Division | 26220 | 33.79 | 39.43 | 70,280 | 82,010 |
Naples-Marco Island FL | 2280 | 35.86 | 41.63 | 74,590 | 86,580 |
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota FL | 5370 | 34.27 | 37.27 | 71,290 | 77,530 |
Ocala FL | 2080 | 33.81 | 36.36 | 70,330 | 75,620 |
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford FL | 18550 | 34.03 | 36.68 | 70,790 | 76,300 |
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville FL | 4440 | 32.85 | 35.74 | 68,330 | 74,340 |
Palm Coast FL | Estimate not released | 33.38 | 35.46 | 69,440 | 73,760 |
Panama City-Lynn Haven-Panama City Beach FL | 1420 | 29.41 | 34.11 | 61,170 | 70,950 |
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent FL | 4060 | 29.16 | 33.70 | 60,650 | 70,090 |
Port St. Lucie FL | 2180 | 33.14 | 36.96 | 68,940 | 76,880 |
Punta Gorda FL | 1400 | 32.31 | 35.64 | 67,200 | 74,120 |
Sebastian-Vero Beach FL | 1250 | 32.21 | 35.90 | 66,990 | 74,670 |
Tallahassee FL | 2850 | 31.87 | 35.22 | 66,290 | 73,260 |
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater FL | 25080 | 34.60 | 39.24 | 71,960 | 81,610 |
West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Boynton Beach FL Metropolitan Division | 11200 | 36.18 | 42.53 | 75,260 | 88,460 |
Northwest Florida non-metropolitan area | 910 | 28.78 | 33.84 | 59,850 | 70,390 |
Northeast Florida non-metropolitan area | 3260 | 30.59 | 35.39 | 63,620 | 73,610 |
South Florida non-metropolitan area | 1630 | 33.22 | 36.11 | 69,100 | 75,120 |
CONCLUSION
Although not all nursing jobs pay well, the industry as a whole is still very lucrative, with numerous opportunities for those choosing to enter this growing field. While you may make less than the average rn salary in Florida at first, your career prospects look promising. If you are passionate about this progression in your field, make sure that you are making an informed choice before deciding on a specialty. The right choice could mean a comfortable future and a strong base of work experience. For more information on working as an R.N., visit https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm