Results of the 2009 AORN salary survey

AORN conducted its seventh annual compensation survey for perioperative nurses in August of 2009. A multiple regression model was used to examine how a variety of variables including job title, education level, certification, experience, and geographic region affect nursing compensation. Comparisons between the 2009 data and previous years' data are presented. The effects of other forms of compensation, such as on-call compensation, overtime, bonuses, and shift differentials on average base compensation rates also are examined. Additional analyses explore the effect of the current economic downturn on the perioperative work environment.