1Department of Nursing, Kangwon National University, Korea.
2College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Korea.
Correspondence: Ji Yun, Lee. Department of Nursing, Kangwon National University, 1 Kangwondahak-gil, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, 200-701, Korea. Tel: 82-33-250-8885, Fax: 82-33-242-8840, leejiyun@kangwon.ac.kr
• Received: November 16, 2012 • Revised: December 21, 2012 • Accepted: December 23, 2012
To analyze trends in salaries for registered nurses when compared with salaries for elementary school teachers from 2002 to 2009 and identify salary gaps of nurses according to workplace size and geographic location.
Methods
Data were obtained from the Occupational Employment Statistics collected by the Korea Employment Information Services each year from 2002 to 2009. The study sample consisted of 2,281 registered nurses and 2,578 elementary school teachers. Linear multiple regression analyses were conducted to analyze salary trends and differences.
Results
Elementary school teachers had higher monthly salaries than nurses with a baccalaureate degree after adjusting for years of work. Salary differences increased significantly by 40,000 won every year (p<.001). Nurses working in large facilities in Seoul had the highest salaries, whereas those in small/medium, non-Seoul facilities had the lowest salaries consistently over time. Salary differences between the two groups increased by 47,000 won every year (p=.001); salary differences between nurses in large, non-Seoul facilities and those in small/medium, non-Seoul facilities also increased by 40,000 won annually (p=.001).
Conclusion
Geographical imbalances in the nurse workforce and nurse shortages in small/medium, non-capital facilities could be reduced by increasing the salary of nurses working in those facilities.
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Figure 1
Least-square means of monthly salaries (unit=10,000 won).
(A) Registered Nurses (RNs) and elementary school teachers after adjusting for years worked (=8 years)
(B) Registered Nurses (RNs) by workplace after adjusting baccalaureate degree and 8 years worked
Table 1
Characteristics of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Elementary School Teachers by Education and Workplace (N=4,859)
Table 2
Monthly Salary of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Elementary School Teachers by Education and Workplace (N=4,859; Unit=10,000 won)
Table 3
Comparison of Changes in Monthly Salary of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Elementary School Teachers (N=4,775; unit=10,000 won)
*Interaction Effect of Year*Group F=13.11, p<.001
Table 4
Comparison of Changes in Monthly Salary of Registered Nurses (RNs) by Workplace (N=2,232; unit=10,000 won)
*Interaction Effect of Year*Workplace F=5.40, p=.001
Figure & Data
References
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
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Trends in Salaries for Registered Nurses Compared with Elementary School Teachers and Salary Differences by Workplace Size and Geographic Location
Figure 1
Least-square means of monthly salaries (unit=10,000 won).
(A) Registered Nurses (RNs) and elementary school teachers after adjusting for years worked (=8 years)
(B) Registered Nurses (RNs) by workplace after adjusting baccalaureate degree and 8 years worked
Figure 1
Trends in Salaries for Registered Nurses Compared with Elementary School Teachers and Salary Differences by Workplace Size and Geographic Location
Characteristics of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Elementary School Teachers by Education and Workplace (N=4,859)
Monthly Salary of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Elementary School Teachers by Education and Workplace (N=4,859; Unit=10,000 won)
Comparison of Changes in Monthly Salary of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Elementary School Teachers (N=4,775; unit=10,000 won)
*Interaction Effect of Year*Group F=13.11, p<.001
Comparison of Changes in Monthly Salary of Registered Nurses (RNs) by Workplace (N=2,232; unit=10,000 won)
*Interaction Effect of Year*Workplace F=5.40, p=.001
Table 1
Characteristics of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Elementary School Teachers by Education and Workplace (N=4,859)
Table 2
Monthly Salary of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Elementary School Teachers by Education and Workplace (N=4,859; Unit=10,000 won)
Table 3
Comparison of Changes in Monthly Salary of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Elementary School Teachers (N=4,775; unit=10,000 won)
*Interaction Effect of Year*Group F=13.11, p<.001
Table 4
Comparison of Changes in Monthly Salary of Registered Nurses (RNs) by Workplace (N=2,232; unit=10,000 won)
*Interaction Effect of Year*Workplace F=5.40, p=.001
