Salary greatly differs among different nursing careers. Knowing the approximate salary scale of a sub-specialty will definitely help you make an informed decision. To get you started, here is a a list of the top 10 highest paying jobs and careers for nurses and their average annual salaries.
1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist or CRNA is responsible for the preparation and administration of anesthesia to patients as ordered by dentists, anesthesiologists and surgeons. The CRNA ensures that the patient is prepared for the induction of anesthesia and afterwards, she will mix and administer the ordered anesthesia prior to the surgical procedure.
CRNA is considered as the highest paying nursing career. They carry a high level or responsibility and are compensated accordingly. Because of this, job competition in this field is tight. When entering a post-graduate program to become a CRNA, try to look for programs that also offer job placement so you can be guided in getting your first job in this field.
2. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Annual Salary Range: $90,000 – $100,000
To become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, a master’s or a doctoral degree should be obtained. Additional certifications may be required depending in your state. You can also choose further sub-specializations if you wish to work exclusively for specific groups of people like substance abusers, elderly persons, mentally challenged children and many more.
3. Certified Nurse Midwife
Annual Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000
They do gynecological examinations, family planning guide and pre-natal and post-natal care among pregnant women. CNMs can practice in clinics, communities, hospitals and other healthcare settings.
To become a Certified Nurse Midwife, completion of a nurse-midwifery program is usually preferred. Completion of a master’s or doctorate degree may also be required. You can obtain Nurse-Midwife certification through the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).
4. Nurse Practitioner
Annual Salary Range: $90,000 – $95,000
This field is ideal for those who want to practice their profession independently and for those who enjoy building continuing relationships with returning patients. Because the scope of practice of a Nurse Practitioner resembles a doctor’s duties, a graduate program is necessary for this career. Different states require different certification requirements to become a Nurse Practitioner but most of the time, completion of a master’s or a doctoral degree program is required.
5. Nurse Researcher
Annual Salary Range: $75,000 – $95,000Nurse Researchers typically work in universities, medical laboratories and other healthcare industries. Having a superb writing skill is a key factor for this career as Nurse
Researchers write studies, grant proposals, medical journals and presentations. This career will enable you to publish your own research studies based on nursing, medical, pharmaceutical or diagnostic products and practices. Rigorous research methodologies and data collection are also important in this field.
To become a Nurse Researcher, obtaining and master’s or a doctoral degree is essential. For a more advanced nursing research, a doctoral degree is often required.
6. Clinical Nurse Specialist
Annual Salary Range: $60,000 – $90,000Clinical Nurse Specialist or CNS has a specific area of
sub-specialty in practicing within the healthcare settings. You will choose your own medical sub=specialty from over 15 areas of specialization like psychiatry, oncology, cardiology, geriatrics and many more. CNSs are considered highly trained in their chosen areas of sub-specialty and they can assist in developing new protocols or in improving hospital procedures in their respective specializations.
To become a Clinical Nurse Specialist, a registered nurse must finish a Master’s of Science degree in Nursing. Additional CNS certifications may be required depending on the sub-specialization chosen.
7. Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse
Pediatric Endocrinology Nurses provide nursing care to children suffering from various endocrine problems.
They educate their patients and their families about proper nutrition, precautions and physical growth or sexual development issues faced when children are suffering from endocrinal disorder as they grow up. One of the most common endocrinal disorders Pediatric Endocrinology
Nurses usually manage is juvenile diabetes.
Currently, there is no official organization that certifies and regulates Pediatric Endocrinology Nurses. However, at least two years of continuous experience working in a pediatric setting is important in pursuing Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing.
8. Orthopedic Nurse
Orthopedic Nurses provide direct nursing care to patients with mobility problems due to accidents or disorders. They usually work in orthopedic wards although they can also practice in out-patient clinics, emergency rooms and communities. They assist orthopedic surgeons in surgeries, provide post-operative care and assist in physical therapy and rehabilitation.
To become an Orthopedic Nurse, you can take a certification exam provided by the Orthopedic Nurses Certification Board.
To be eligible to take the exam, a registered nurse should have 2 full years of RN work experience and 1000 hours of experience in an orthopaedic nursing practice within the past three years.
9. Geriatric Nurse
Geriatric Nurses manage the care of elderly patients in terms of mental health and preventive care. They facilitate intake of maintenance medications, ensure proper nutrition and safety, monitor onset of new diseases and prevent rapid health deterioration. They may work in geriatric wards, hospice care, clinics and other geriatric facilities.
To become a geriatric nurse, you must be a registered nurse so you can be eligible to take certification exams available in your state. If you want to have more opportunities in higher salary range, you can obtain a master’s degree to become a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner or a Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist.
10. Pediatric Nurse
Annual Salary Range: $50,000 – $70,000
An essential skill in becoming a pediatric nurse is to master the art of physical assessment since young children cannot verbally pinpoint or express their feelings when sick. They also work closely with families especially in providing health education when the pediatric patient is being prepared to be taken care at home.
To become a certified Pediatric Nurse, you can take a certification exam with the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. If you want to explore a more intense career in pediatric nursing, you can a obtain master’s degree to become a Pediatric Nurse practitioner or a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Additional Resources:
- Occupational Employment and Wages by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Nursing Specializations
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board
Originally posted in nursebuff.com
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