A higher education in the form of a Master of Science in Nursing pays off handsomely for Delaware’s nurses. According to the 2012 national survey conducted by the Advance Healthcare Network for Nurses, nurses in the Mid-Atlantic region with master’s degrees earned more than $12,000 more per year on average than those with bachelor’s degrees:
- Associates Degree – $58,151
- Bachelor’s Degree – $69,253
- Master’s Degree – $81,546
MSN-educated nurses are chosen for leadership and administrative positions. They can also opt for a career in research or academia. A specialized master’s degree is also the established path to becoming a licensed Advanced Practice Nurse (APN).
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reports that there are three AACN-accredited schools in Delaware at which 697 students were enrolled in RN-MSN programs in 2013. Of these, 316 students were studying to become APNs, 231 of which were planning to become nurse practitioners. At present, 8.5 percent of Delaware’s nurses are licensed APNs.
A Look at Nurse Practitioner Salaries in Delaware
The 2013 US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational wage survey maintains that the 520 nurse practitioners in Delaware earned the following statewide:
The Delaware Department of Labor occupational wage report for 2014 lists the following nurse practitioner and RN generalist hourly wages in their state:
Salaries tend to vary with location. The following data provided by the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics shows nurse practitioner salaries in key areas of Delaware:
A Look at Certified Nurse Midwife Salaries in Delaware
According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 40 nurse midwives who were licensed in Delaware in 2013 earned the following salaries:
The Delaware Department of Labor lists nurse midwife hourly wages as follows:
Nurse Anesthetist Salaries in Delaware
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nurse anesthetist salaries in various areas of Delaware are as follows: