Nurses are one of the most critical components of the medical complex as a whole. From the outside, many people assume that a nurse is basically just a doctor with less training, or that nursing is a “stepping-stone” to becoming a doctor. Of course, if you’re someone with an interest in the nursing system, you know that this isn’t true. Nurses are as important as doctors, just in different ways, often dealing directly with patients more frequently. Nurses help collect the information that a doctor may end up synthesizing.
This means that nurses are in high demand all throughout the country, and that includes Northern Virginia. If you have nursing experience, you’re new to the nursing scene, or you just want to work in a field adjacent to nursing, it’s important that you have a resume that appropriately describes your experience, skills, and knowledge. You can use a resume builder to create your resume and make sure it looks great, both on a design level and in its ability to encompass all the information a hiring manager wants to see from you.
The application process will help get you a nursing job in Northern Virginia, but it may be a good idea to know some salary information before you look for one. Here’s everything you need to know about top-paying nursing jobs in Northern Virginia.
Top Paying Nursing Jobs to Consider
In general, higher-paying nursing jobs will simply require more training than lower-paying nursing jobs. Here’s a comparison of some of the most common nursing jobs:
- Registered Nurse: $61,000-$120,000
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): $39,000-$58,000
- Labor and Delivery Nurse: $69,000-$110,000
- Emergency Room Nurse: $70,000-$95,000
Generally, you can assume that nursing salaries in this instance correspond directly with how long you’ve been in the field. If you’ve never held a nursing job, assume that you’ll be on the very lower end of the spectrum. As you gather more experience and you’ve been in the field for longer, you’ll likely move up the ranks to get better payment over time. The highest-paying nursing jobs will usually be team leaders and similar positions, where you may hold the same official job title as your peers, but you’re in charge of them to an extent.
Some jobs may also be similar to nursing, but not exactly the same. Here are a few jobs you might also be considering:
- Medical Receptionist: $32,000-$35,000
- Hospital Administrator: $66,000-$120,000
- Healthcare Administrator: $29,000-$72,000
- Medical Assistant: $28,000-$63,000
Different people sign up for these jobs for different reasons. Some people sign up because they’re hoping to use these types of jobs as an entry point into nursing. Some people apply because this is the career they want to take permanently. Regardless of the reason why you’re finding these jobs interesting, knowing the salary you can expect from them is a great way to prepare for them.
Applying for the Job You Deserve
Now that you understand the salary ranges for a wide variety of jobs, it’s important to apply correctly. First, you need to read the job description. If you’re applying for jobs that you’re not qualified for, you’re basically wasting your time, which isn’t great when you don’t have a job. Time is money, and reading carefully can help you save both. Check to see if there are any prerequisites or requirements. If you’re regularly seeing certain prerequisites in nursing job descriptions that you don’t have, you might want to look into whether it would be a good idea to attain those prerequisites first.
Your skills are valuable, and you should have a company that really values your skills – enough to pay you a good salary. Understanding the amount of money that your peers may be receiving for their job, then asking for a similar amount, is a big part of the hiring process. With these tips, you’ll be prepared to answer interview questions and request an accurate salary.
