Futures in Nursing

Wages/Job Openings in PA

Nursing Aides, Orderlies & Attendants
• Can work in hospitals, nursing homes, residential care or mental health facilities
• Helps patients with basic tasks like eating, dressing and bathing
• Assists patients in moving and may escort patients to other areas of the facility
• Reports to nursing staff
• Entry level job; no specific degree required
• Dollars & Cents
Average Annual Wages / Annual Job Openings*
Statewide: $23,770 / 931
Lackawanna County: $24,570 / 22
Pocono Counties: $22,110 / 37
Luzerne-Schuylkill: $35,670 / 51
Northern Tier: $21,100 / 19
Central PA: $22,610 / 75

LPN (licensed practical nurse) & LVN (licensed vocational nurse)
• Under supervision of doctor or RN
• Provides basic beside care, collect samples, develop care plans and keep records
• Can work in hospitals, doctors’ offices or private homes
• Usually obtained in a one or two-year practical nursing program
• Dollars & Cents
Average Annual Wages / Annual Job Openings*
Statewide: $38,600 / 802
Lackawanna County: $37,350; 35
Pocono Counties: $36, 550 / 28
Luzerne-Schuylkill: $35,670 / 51
Northern Tier: $31,760 / 21
Central PA: $34,040 / 80

RN (registered nurse)
• Works in a variety of settings
• Takes vital signs and highly involved in patient care; administers injections and medications; interacts with physicians regarding patient care; educates community, staff and nursing assistants; determines patient care needs, maintains medical records, supervises LPNs and nursing aides
• Usually obtained in two to three-year nursing program ADN (associate degree in nursing) or DN (diploma in nursing). Can also be obtained through a BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) four-year program, which prepares students for supervisory roles in nursing.
• Dollars & Cents
Average Annual Wages / Annual Job Openings*
Statewide: $57,040 / 2,566 (second most in demand position in PA)
Lackawanna County: $53,330 / 60
Pocono Counties: $54,540 / 57
Luzerne-Schuylkill: $52,860 / 100
Northern Tier: $55,670 / 30
Central PA: $52,080 / 103

APN (advanced practice nurse)
• Can include many specialty categories, including:
-- Certified nurse practitioner (CNP) who bridges the gap between RN and physician
-- Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) who works with the surgeon during operations to maintain the patient’s unconscious state
-- Clinical nurse specialist (CNS) who can specialize in cardiology, neonatology, obstetrics and gynecology, oncology, mental health or neurology.
• Usually obtained through an advanced master’s degree or certification program.
• Dollars & Cents
Average Annual Wages / Annual Job Openings*
(Data included in RN statistics)
*According to 2007 statewide and regional high priority occupations table in commonwealth of PA