The following article discusses the critical role Primary Care Nursing play in the community including what they do, tasks performed, work environment, qualifications to become, area of focus, training & certification, education requirements, job outlook, salary, related job titles and salary by state data.
What We Do
Primary care nurses are nurse practitioners who work with a particular patient over a long period of time. Some have more than one patient, but they work with them one on one for extended periods. They may be designated to a specific patient within a hospital setting, or may work as in home care for private patients. This field of nursing can be highly stressful or easy-going depending on the nature of the patient and the nature of his or her current condition and symptoms. Some primary care nurses take care of patients with low priority care needs, administering medication and counseling, while others work with high priority patients who might need more care and a combination of medications and therapeutic treatments.
Top 5 Tasks Performed
Primary care nurses work administering medication, educating and counseling patients and patient’s families on diagnosis and treatments, planning treatment strategy and implementing treatment, assessing patients, and monitoring a patient’s vital signs.
Work Environment
Primary care nurses work in a number of settings such as hospitals, private clinics, mental health facilities, nursing homes, and private in-home care. They may require particular instruments and equipment, or may rely on simple traditional methods of treatment. Some primary care nurses utilize new holistic practices, while others work under the direction of an acting physician.
How to Become
To become a primary care nurse, students must complete a 3-year hospital provided training diploma program, a 2-year Associate degree in nursing through a college, or a 4-year Bachelor of Science in nursing degree through a university setting. During this time, nursing students will take a number of classes including biology, psychology, pharmacology, anatomy, and experience a hands on practical work term. After graduation, they must successfully pass a national licensing examination that is required by all registered nurses across the United States. Nurses must then complete a Master of Science in nursing degree or other graduate level nursing degree to be eligible to work as a primary care nurse in America.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for primary care nurses shows a 26% predicted increase in the number of jobs by the year 2020, according to the United States Bureau for Labor Statistics. This increase in jobs could be due to the growing number of elderly patients or the nursing shortage that much of America is experiencing, particularly in the rural areas. The rate of pay for this position is competitive, and salary growth and job advancement is possible based on experience, education and certification levels.
Training & Certification
Primary care nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN national licensing examination, which is required for all nurses across the United States. Other certifications and licenses may be required on a state by state basis.
Min Education Requirements
Master’s
Sample of Reported Job Titles
Primary Care Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Clinic – Nurse Practitioner, Primary Health Care Nurse, Restorative Health Coordinator – Primary Care
Below are the salaries for Primary Care Nursing, as quoted by the top job websites:
$63,000
$68,305
$49,000
All brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. All salary source data is public & accurate as of 2014-07-08.
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Average Salaries Across The Country
Alaska – $47,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 49th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$47,000
Alabama – $64,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 12th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$64,000
Arkansas – $64,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 13th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 1% higher than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$64,000
Arizona – $52,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 44th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$52,000
California – $68,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 7th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$68,000
Colorado – $56,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 33rd
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$56,000
Connecticut – $73,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 4th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$73,000
DC – $79,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 1st
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$79,000
Delaware – $55,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 39th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$55,000
Florida – $59,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 28th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$59,000
Georgia – $72,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 5th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$72,000
Hawaii – $39,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 52nd
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 52nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$39,000
Iowa – $62,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 17th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Iowa are 3% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$62,000
Idaho – $43,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 51st
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Idaho are 33% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$43,000
Illinois – $71,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 6th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$71,000
Indiana – $61,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 21st
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$61,000
Kansas – $58,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 29th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$58,000
Kentucky – $54,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 43rd
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$54,000
Louisiana – $55,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 40th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 12% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$55,000
Massachusetts – $76,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 2nd
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$76,000
Maryland – $65,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 10th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$65,000
Maine – $56,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 34th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$56,000
Michigan – $64,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 14th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$64,000
Minnesota – $55,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 41st
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$55,000
Missouri – $62,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 18th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$62,000
Mississippi – $66,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 9th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 4% higher than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$66,000
Montana – $56,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 35th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Montana are 12% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$56,000
North Carolina – $60,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 25th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$60,000
North Dakota – $56,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 36th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$56,000
Nebraska – $46,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 50th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$46,000
New Hampshire – $62,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 19th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$62,000
New Jersey – $68,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 8th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$68,000
New Mexico – $55,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 42nd
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$55,000
Nevada – $49,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 46th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Nevada are 23% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$49,000
New York – $76,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 3rd
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in New York are 21% higher than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$76,000
Ohio – $60,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 26th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$60,000
Oklahoma – $58,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 30th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$58,000
Oregon – $61,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 22nd
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Oregon are 4% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$61,000
Pennsylvania – $61,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 23rd
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$61,000
Rhode Island – $58,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 31st
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$58,000
South Carolina – $62,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 20th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 2% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$62,000
South Dakota – $48,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 48th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$48,000
Tennessee – $58,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 32nd
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 8% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$58,000
Texas – $61,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 24th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$61,000
Utah – $49,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 47th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In USD as of June 19, 2014
55k
110k
165k
Primary Care Nursing
$49,000
Virginia – $63,000
(High Confidence (more than 250 sources))
Rank: 15th
Average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings in Virginia are the same as average Primary Care Nursing salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like .
In