Nurses are the lifeblood of the medical field. Nurses fill in the gaps wherever assistance is required, whether providing care for ill patients, planning treatments, supporting doctors, delivering babies, or aiding with medical operations.
Are you also looking to start your career as a nurse? Or, if you are planning to change your career as a nurse, you might be curious about your earning potential. Although money is not the only motivation for choosing a profession in nursing, it is still a crucial factor to consider.
Nurses put in much effort and are rightfully well-paid for their abilities and commitment. The greatest earning potential in the medical field for those who aren’t doctors is found in the top nursing careers. Let us take you through some of the highest-paid positions in the nursing field for a better understanding.
List of Highest-Paying Nursing Jobs
There are numerous opportunities to select a nursing specialty that speaks to your interests and passions, as many different types of nurses work throughout the healthcare business. There is a nursing career to suit everyone, whether you want to deal with children, cancer patients, trauma victims, or any other patient group they can think of!
Knowing which nursing specialties provide the best chance to maximize your potential earnings can be helpful when deciding on the specialty that’s right for you. Given the wide range of highest-paying nursing specialties, there are many opportunities to make a great living while concentrating on a field that is important to you.
Here’s a list of some of the highest-paying nursing specialties to aid your decision regarding your job path. The salaries listed below are just a starting point to aid your study; remember that pay varies widely depending on location and employer. These are the best ten nursing positions in terms of pay:
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Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Compared to other nurse specialties, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists make considerably more money. According to the American Association, this extremely skilled job entails preparing and giving anesthesia to patients in cooperation with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other qualified healthcare professionals.
A U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics study shows that Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists earn the most money among nursing specialties, with an annual median income of $195,610. CRNAs usually put in a 40-hour workweek, which translates to an hourly wage of about $94.04 per hour.
Required Qualification: Prepare to work hard in the classroom to graduate with a degree from an approved nurse anesthesia educational program and, after completing the program, pass the National Certification Examination. While a Ph.D. degree is not currently necessary to become a CRNA, the Council on Accreditation has declared it will be necessary by 2025.
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General Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Open your practice as a general nurse practitioner or choose from several primary care locations to work in. Along the process, you can improve your skill set and potential for financial gain. In the future, general NPs may concentrate on a particular area.
According to the May 2021 BLS, the typical annual salary for general nurse practitioners is $120,680. The average workweek for general nurse practitioners is 40 hours, which equates to an hourly wage of about $58.02.
Required Qualification: The minimal degree needed to become a nurse practitioner (NP) is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and you must also obtain a state-specific N.P. license before you can practice.
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ICU Nurse
Given that they regularly handle life-and-death situations, ICU nurses need a unique collection of skills. Despite being able to work in other nursing specialties, they frequently serve in hospital ICUs. One of the most sought-after careers in nursing is that of a critical care nurse because these professionals are highly skilled in nursing and critical thinking.
According to ZipRecruiter, as of June 2022, the typical yearly salary for ICU nurses was $120,243. Although the normal range is between $76,500 and $145,500, critical care nurses frequently earn well over $200,000 depending on their shift, hospital, and location. Beginning at the bottom of the pay scale and rapidly moving up is how new nurses typically start. The usual work week for critical care nurses is 36 hours, which results in an hourly wage of $57.81.
Required Qualification: The CCRN certification test should be considered if you want to progress in your critical care career, even though no specific qualifications are required to start working there. Most hospitals will offer specialized training for intensive care nurses to guarantee their competence.
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Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse
A newborn intensive care (NICU) nursing career might be a good fit for you if you enjoy caring for children. For advanced practice nurses, in particular, this specialization pays well.
According to ZipRecruiter, the NICU nurse’s yearly compensation is $118,586. Higher pay is possible for those with a BSN, more work experience, and specialized certifications. NICU nurses have an average hourly wage of $57.00 and a normal work week of 36 hours.
Required Qualification: A neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) or neonatal clinical nurse specialist (CNS) designation is required for true advancement, though staff R.N.s can also gain experience in neonatal units. Additionally, salaries increase as degrees progress. RNC-NIC accreditation is available to nurses who still need an advanced practice degree.
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Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
As psychiatric nurse practitioners, nurses passionate about mental health can consult with patients and interact with psychiatric medical doctors. Psychiatric nurse practitioners also treat patients with co-occurring mental illness and drug abuse problems.
According to Payscale, the annual salary for psychiatric nurse practitioners is currently $113,114. In general, psychiatric nurse practitioners put in a 40-hour workweek, earning them an hourly salary of about $63.75.
Required Qualification: The minimum educational prerequisite to becoming a nurse practitioner is an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing). You must also obtain a state-specific psychiatric nurse practitioner license.
Do you know that Government Advises a 3.5% Salary Increase for Nurses in 2023–2024
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Certified Nurse Midwife
A job as a Certified Nurse Midwife is ideal for registered nurses who enjoy obstetrics, labor and delivery, and prenatal care. Most CNMs work in OB/GYN clinics, hospitals, or offices; however, many also start their own businesses based on the state where they are licensed to practice. The BLS estimates that the average income for certified nurse midwives is $112,830. CNMs usually work a 40-hour workweek, earning them $54.24 per hour.
Required Qualification: Nurses can pursue certification as certified nurse midwives and certified midwives through the American Midwifery Certification Board.
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Clinical Nurse Specialist
Consider taking the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) route if you want to work in a specialized unit or clinic. You’ll be respected as an expert by the rest of your medical staff, in addition to being able to diagnose and treat various conditions. The primary goal of clinical nurse specialists is to elevate the quality of nursing in hospitals. They are engaged in studies that aim to improve treatment in hospitals and other medical facilities.
Clinical nurse specialists in the United States make an average income of $112,267, according to Salary.com. But there is a variety of pay for this profession, usually between $101,514 and $122,976. Clinical nurse specialists usually put in a 40-hour workweek, earning an hourly wage of about $54.
Required Qualification: A clinical nursing-specific Master of Science in Nursing degree is required to become a clinical nurse specialist.
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Pain Management Nurse
Those who deal with patients who have chronic pain problems or who are in pain after surgery are treated by pain management nurses. In addition to educating patients about pain management and preventing addiction or reliance on prescribed medication, they collaborate as a healthcare team to determine the cause of the pain and the best course of action for therapy.
According to Indeed.com, the typical salary for nurses who specialize in pain management is $110,420 annually. A normal 40-hour work week for pain management nurses results in an hourly wage of about $47.41.
Required Qualification: While an advanced degree is optional to work as a pain management nurse, sufficient R.N. experience is needed to apply for the Nurse Practitioner certification for Pain Management Specialists.
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Registered Nurse First Assist
When a surgical procedure is performed, a registered nurse serving in the perioperative setting is known as a registered nurse first aid (RNFA). Depending on the institution, the position and duties of an RNFA will change significantly. Because of residents and fellows, large academic teaching hospitals may hire fewer RNFA.
As of May 2022, Salary.com estimates that the typical pay for a Registered Nurse First Assist is $101,890. But the average range is $92,181 to $113,509. The salary range differs according to location and years of expertise. RNFAs usually work 36 hours a week, earning an hourly wage of about $49.00.
Required Qualification: As this advanced training builds upon the basics and is centered on surgical anatomy, procedures, and techniques, the nurse must first have the significant perioperative experience to become an RNFA. A nurse must possess the following qualifications to become a certified RNFA:
- A CNOR certification
- A current and unencumbered R.N. license
- A bachelor’s degree
- 2,000 hours of RNFA work experience
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Nursing Administrator
A nurse administrator handles the behind-the-scenes nursing activities, including staff administration, budgeting, and H.R. duties. According to the BLS, as of May 2021, the median annual salary for nursing managers was $101,340. Usually putting in a minimum of 40 hours per week, nurse managers earn $48.72 per hour.
Required Qualification: State licensing is frequently needed, as is a master’s degree in healthcare administration. Some nursing administrators will additionally possess a master’s degree in business administration.
If you want to start your career as a nurse in any of the above fields, then Dynamic Health Staff can help you secure your dream job in the desired country. If interested, contact us today at +919810017608 or write a mail on enquiry@dynamichealthstaff.com
