This is an excellent time for RNs in Connecticut to return to school to get a master’s degree in nursing through an RN-MSN bridge program specific to advanced clinical practice, clinical leadership, education, administration or informatics. An MSN opens many doors for job advancement and increased earnings.
The Advance Healthcare Network for Nurses 2012 Salary Survey of nurses in the Northeastern states shows that the average annual salary of a nurse with an associate’s degree is $64,598 and $72,665 for those with a BSN. However, that average jumps to $85,974 with a MSN degree.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), 1,500 students were enrolled in master’s programs in 2013. Some of these graduates will elect to become nurse administrators, researchers or educators, while others are preparing to enter advanced practice.
There were 985 students participating in Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) programs in Connecticut in 2013. Of these, 884 planned to become nurse practitioners, 52 were studying nurse midwifery. The remainder were studying to become nurse anesthetists and clinical nurse specialists.
Salaries of Nurse Practitioners in Connecticut
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the following nurse practitioner salaries in Connecticut during 2013:
Results of the Connecticut Department of Labor’s 2014 occupational employment survey indicated the following nurse practitioner hourly wages around the state:
As an additional comparison, the 2013 BLS survey showed the following nurse practitioner salaries in various areas of Connecticut:
Salaries of Nurse Anesthetists in Connecticut
The BLS reports the following salaries for the 400 nurse anesthetists who were working in Connecticut in 2013:
*Earnings are at or above $187,199/year or $90.00/hour. The US Department of Labor, Bureau of Statistics does not report salaries above $187,199/year or $90.00/hour.
The Connecticut Department of Labor revealed the following nurse anesthetist hourly wages statewide:
- Entry-Level: $63.12
- Mean: $90,71
The following table shows salaries for nurse anesthetists in key areas of Connecticut as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2013:
Salaries for Certified Nurse Midwives in Connecticut
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2013 salary report revealed that the 120 nurse midwives working in Connecticut earned the following salaries:
The Connecticut Department of Labor’s 2014 survey results of the hourly wages of nurse midwives revealed the following: