Report Finds Some Nurses Are Earning More Than Physicians
A new report conducted by Merritt Hawkins & Associates, the country’s largest physician recruiting firm, found that despite a shortage of physicians in the U.S., some specialty nurses are being paid more than physicians. According to the study, the average family practice physician is paid $172,000. The study also found that the average salary for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) is $185,000.
Fewer American medical students are choosing to practice family and internal medicine, and are instead choosing more lucrative medical specialties. Since 1997, the number of US medical graduates entering family or internal medicine has decreased by approximately 50%. Since 2002, the majority of students who choose to enter family medicine residency programs are foreign medical graduates, and a quarter of these students end up going back to their home countries.
On the other hand, the average CRNA salary has increased over the past five years due to efforts to address a CRNA shortage in the country. While there still is a shortage, more training programs and better salaries have radically reduced the need for the nurses.
CRNAs
have duties that are near identical to those of anesthesia physicians.
In large cities, there are generally three CRNAs for every
Anesthesiologist. In small cities
and towns, this number can be higher.
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