Minnesota

After working as a registered nurse for several years you might be thinking about ways to improve and advance your career. Returning to school and specializing in a particular nursing field is guaranteed to set you on the right path.

If you already have a bachelor's degree in nursing, pursuing a graduate or doctoral degree will open the door to job opportunities you would not qualify for otherwise. One of the fields in dire need of qualified individuals is nursing academia. One important aspect nurses need to consider before making the transition from the clinical field to that of nursing education is faculty salary. According to a recent survey conducted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the average salary for a nursing professor is about $80,000 per year.

Nursing faculty pay is influenced by several factors, including: your education, credentials, and experience, the type of nursing school, the nursing program you are teaching for, and the region of the country. Private nursing schools which offer baccalaureate, master, and doctoral programs tend to pay the best faculty salaries. Doctorally prepared nurses earn better salaries than educators with only a master's degree.