What Is the Average Annual Income Per Month for Male Nurses in Colorado?
- The national median annual salary for registered nurses was $62,450 in May 2008, reports the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. Nurses in the middle 50 percent of the salary range received between $51,640 and $76,570. The lowest-paid 10 percent of nurses earned less than $43,410 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92,240.
There is no difference in pay scale for men or women nurses. Income is dependent on geographic location, employer, education and experience. Salaryexpert.com reports that in 2011, registered nurses in Denver, Colo., earn an annual median wage of $77, 070 ($6,422 a month); nurses in Sterling, Colo., earn an annual median wage of $60,984 ($5,082 per month); and nurses in Pueblo, Colo., earned $68,342 ($5,695 per month). - There are three typical educational paths to a career as a registered nurse. Students may pursue a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN), an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or a diploma. BSNs are offered by universities and colleges and take approximately four years to complete. Associate's degree programs in nursing, offered by community and junior colleges, take two to three years to complete. Diploma nursing programs, administered by hospitals, require about three years of study. Coursework includes classes in physiology, anatomy, chemistry, microbiology, nutrition and nursing. Graduates of any of these programs qualify for an entry-level, staff-nurse position.
Advanced-practice nurses, including nurse-midwives, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialists and nurse anesthetists require a master's degree. A master's degree is normally required for consulting, teaching, research and administrative positions. Nurses with extensive experienced and advanced educational credentials receive preference in hiring and the highest incomes. - Nurses should be detail-orientated, sympathetic, compassionate, caring and responsible. Emotional stability is required to cope with emergencies and human suffering. Nurses must be able to direct and supervise other staff members, inform, educate and comfort patients and family members, correctly access a patient's condition and determine when consultation is required. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, are integral to the performance of a nurse's duties.
- To obtain a nursing license, all U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia require students to graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing examination. The exam is known as the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Eligibility varies from state to state. Nursing students in Colorado should contact the Colorado State Board of Nursing for rules, regulations and eligibility requirements.