About 52 percent of registered nurses take side gigs or extra shifts to supplement their yearly income, according to Medscape's 2023 "RN/LPN Compensation Report," published Sept. 26.
The average base compensation for RNs is $85,000, but RNs who supplement their income earn closer to $89,000, according to the report.
Here are six common ways RNs supplement their yearly income:
1. Working extra shifts/overtime and weekends/extra holidays: 32 percent
2. Acting as a preceptor: 13 percent
3. Taking charge nurse responsibilities: 12 percent
4. Working on-call shifts: 12 percent
5. Working a second job or other income-producing activity (non-nursing): 10 percent
6. Teaching classes: 6 percent