Is it worth getting an NP degree in the state of Southern California financially? I’m new to CA and am trying to figure out the pay range for RNs in the OC area compared to NPs to see if it would make sense to go back. Single mother of 2 here.

My knowledge is only in the hospital setting. Historically bedside has made more then NPs in CA. This was because bedside was union and NPs were not, so bedside had more bargaining power. I knew of NPs who worked in the clinic but made more money doing hospital bedside shifts. I do not know what NPs vs bedside RNs make outside of the hospital.

Here is a website that gives some background. https://www.registerednursing.org/articles/nurse-practitioner...

In addition, RNs can often pick up overtime at a great rate - but with kids this might be difficult to manage. NP often have a more regular schedule; however, plan to bring work home (charting, etc.). It also depends on the specialty. I am in psych and it is the seond highest paying NP job category. Nurse anesthetists are number one (which require at least 2 years of critical care nusing to enter most programs). With all this said, I like the work of an NP vs. an RN. For me, my end goal was always to become an NP. Good luck in whatever you do!

It really depends on your age and the number of years you will continue to work. You have so many options in nursing in today’s world