When you graduate from a registered-nurse education program, you qualify for an entry-level position as a staff nurse. In 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the lowest 10 percent of RN salaries, those often associated with starting out in the industry, was $44,190 per year.s a registered nurse (RN) with a bachelor's degree, you qualify for a higher salary range as compared to registered or licensed practical nurses (LPN) with associate degrees only. Some nursing career paths are only open to nurses who have a bachelor's degree, so education is a big plus in this competitive industry.