J Korean Clin Nurs Res.  2019 Dec;25(3):294-302. 10.22650/JKCNR.2019.25.3.294.

Nurse Wage Structure and Its Determinants in Hospital Industry

• Kim JH
• Ha SK
• Park YW
• Kim YH
• Yi SM
• Kwon HJ

• KMID: 2470644
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22650/JKCNR.2019.25.3.294

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the wage structure of hospital nurses in Korea and to analyze the factors that determine the level of nurses' wages.
METHODS
First, a mobile survey on nurses' wages was conducted with a total of 3,742 nurses working in hospitals. A literature review was also done. Second, a regression model was applied to analyze the determinants of nurses' wages.
RESULTS
The average monthly wage of 3,742 nurses based on the survey was KRW 3,588,000 and the standardized monthly income of 3,742 nurses was estimated to be KRW 3,364,000 as of the end of 2018. The results of regression analysis(R2=61.7%) showed that gender, nursing experience, designated night duty, ownership, and number of beds were statistically significant variables for nurses' wages at 1% significance level. The monthly wage of nurses working in total nursing care wards was not significantly different from those working in other wards at 5% significance level.
CONCLUSION
The substantial difference in nurses' wages according to job career, hospital size, region, etc may result in the low proportion of nurses with more than three to five years of service experience and the high turnover of less-experienced workers. Consideration should be given to adjust the gap in wage level and a standard nurse wage system could be effective measures.

Keyword

Hospital; Registered Nurse; Wage

MeSH Terms

Health Facility Size
Humans
Korea
Nurses
Nursing
Nursing Care
Ownership
Salaries and Fringe Benefits*