The Best Career Choice for Nurses
If you're considering a career in nursing, you likely have questions as to which direction might be right for you. Fortunately, these days the world of nursing is vast, transcending traditional hospital environments and offering endless nursing specialties out there, from midwifery to legal consulting. Typically, when deciding on a career, a few key factors are at play for many people like salary, work setting, client base, and demand or job growth. Here, we'll go over the best nursing jobs and the best features of each one.
Highest Paying Nursing Careers
When most people make the decision to go into nursing, their top priority is, of course, to help others. That aside, one of the most notable and obvious benefits in the industry is income. While a nurse’s actual salary depends on their specialty, level of experience, education, etc., the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) places the average yearly income for registered nurses (all specialties combined) at $73.300. This comes to around $35 per hour. However, that’s just the average across all specialties — some of the highest paying nursing jobs pay over $180,000 per year. The following is a list of the highest paying careers in nursing.
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Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
These nurses are reported to be the best paid in the industry. Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are highly specialized registered nurses who work alongside surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, and other physicians. They administer anesthesia, and are responsible for providing care for patients before, during, and after procedures. To become a CRNA, a master’s degree, registered nurse (RN) status, and specialized certification and graduate education is required. Over the next few years, requirements will change to include a doctoral degree. The average base pay for a CRNA is $123,980, and ranges from $54,000 to $283,000 per year.
Chief Nursing Officer
Also referred to as Chief Nurse Executive, the Chief Nursing Officer is responsible for coordinating and supervising daily activities within the entire nursing department. This includes planning, organizing, and directing nursing operations and patient care services. Administering nursing department budgets are also often part of a CNO’s duties. To become a CNO, a master’s degree, usually in nursing leadership or healthcare administration, is required. Certification in nursing administration, nursing leadership, or nursing management is also a requirement. The average base pay for a CNO is $132,400 per year, and ranges from around $85,000 to $205,000 per year.
Nursing Education Director
Nursing Education Directors are responsible for designing and administering curriculum for the purposes of training and updating the skills of other nurse educators. They also carry out performance evaluations and make sure federal and state requirements are upheld. Becoming a Nursing Education Director requires a master’s degree, certification as an RN, at least three years of managerial experience, and at least 10 years in the medical health industry. The average base pay for the Director of Nursing Education is $105,181 per year, and ranges from $78,000 to $142,000 per year depending on location and education.
Certified Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) provide a broad range of primary and specialty healthcare services, and often specialize in areas from family health to oncology. Unlike licensed RNs, NPs are independently licensed and able to work in a variety of primary care settings or autonomously. Nurse practitioners are typically tasked with meeting with, developing diagnoses, prescribing treatments, and conducting physical exams for patients. Nurses who wish to enter this field need to complete a master’s degree, meet state licensing requirements, and pass a national certification exam. The average base pay for a Nurse Practitioner is $114,477, and ranges from $75,000 to $175,000 per year depending on location, specialty, and education.
Nursing Careers With the Best Job Growth
Measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth is a figure that keeps track of how many new jobs that are created in the U.S. each month. As a whole, nursing is an industry with one of the highest job growth projections, and each specialty has its own figure. The following are some nursing jobs with the best job growth.
Certified Nurse Midwife
A certified nurse midwife (CNW) is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in childbirth and women’s reproductive health. Their daily tasks commonly include performing exams, providing counseling, prenatal care, and family planning services, and writing prescriptions. To become a Nurse Midwife, completion of a master of science in nursing and midwife specialty programs are required. Average base pay in this job is $101,748, and ranges from $81,000 to $127,000. Employment of nurse midwives is expected to grow up to 45% between now and 2029.
Legal Nurse Consultant
Legal Nurse Consultants (LNCs) study elements of nursing, medical malpractice, product liability, and worker’s compensation, among many other things. The role in this position tends to be pretty broad, and all Legal Nurse Consultants provide consultation to attorneys, however some legal nurse consultants are highly specialized in a particular area. To become a Legal Nurse Consultant, a bachelor’s degree in nursing and successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) are required. Average base pay for LNCs is $80,942, with a range from $58,000 to $113,000 per year. The BLS doesn’t provide job growth information specific to LNCs, but according to NurseJournal, employment in this profession will grow 26% in the next year.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners often work in hospital pediatric wards, usually with young and chronically ill patients. They work closely with physicians, prescribing and administering treatments and medications. Becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner requires completion of a master’s of science in nursing or doctorate of nursing practice (DNP), in addition to licensing required by the state. Average base pay for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners is $104,607, and ranges from $57,000 to $190,000 per year. The projected ten-year employment rate for this job is 20%.
Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
Orthopedic Nurse Practitioners typically work in orthopedic surgery departments in hospitals. They provide primary health care services for orthopedic patients, including performing exams, ordering tests, and acting as liaisons among medical and surgery departments. Becoming an Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner requires an MSN or higher, NP certification, and state licensure. Average base pay for ONPs is $108,190, and ranges from $67,000 to $176,000 per year. Job growth in this field is very good, with a projected ten year rate of 31%.
More Great Nursing Jobs Worth Considering
While the majority of the jobs discussed so far most people are familiar with, this list includes some less commonly talked about nursing jobs, all of which offer great pay and have above average projected job growth.
Corporate Nurse
Corporate Nurses work predominantly in settings atypical to most people in the nursing industry, including insurance companies, medical equipment manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and consulting firms. Corporate Nurses are employed by medical product and service companies, where they help develop and influence policies and procedures. Becoming a Corporate Nurse requires RN certification and typically either a BSN or MSN. Average base pay for a Corporate Nurse job is $82,424, and ranges from $68,000 to $90,000 per year. Employment for Corporate Nurses is projected to increase 15% over the next ten years.
Cardiovascular Perfusionist
For those interested in the heart and cardiovascular health, a Cardiovascular Perfusionist job could be the best nursing job out there. Closely related is a Cardiopulmonary Perfusionist, which focuses on both the heart and lungs. These nurses are responsible for monitoring the machines that keep patients alive during surgery, as well as surgical patients. They also often administer medications, including anesthetics. Becoming a Cardiovascular or Cardiopulmonary Perfusionist requires completion of an MSN degree and certification from the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion. Average base pay in these roles is $132,056 and ranges from $84,000 to $204,000 per year. Cardiovascular and pulmonary Perfusionist jobs are expected to increase by 31% over the next ten years.
Nursing Informatics Analyst
This is a high-level technical role that uses technology and data to monitor patient care initiatives. Nursing Informatics Analysts are responsible for researching and developing new technology, training nursing staff to use that technology, and tracking how the technology affects patient outcomes. Becoming a Nursing Informatics Analyst requires only a BSN, however a MSN is recommended. After completion of a degree, the NCLEX must be passed to become licensed, along with earning additional special credentials. Average salary for this position is around $80,305, and ranges from $57,000 to $99,000 per year. Expected job growth in this field over the next ten years is 15%.
Neonatal or NICU Nurse
NICU nurses are specialized nurses who care for premature newborns and babies requiring intensive care, in private and public hospitals. They also typically provide information and emotional support for families of admitted newborns. Becoming a NICU Nurse requires a BSN and state licensing. Additionally, the majority of hospitals require nurses to complete specialized neonatal care coursework, and gain at least a year of work experience as a registered nurse before working in a neonatal unit. Average salary for this position is $108,190, and ranges from $67,000 to $176,000 per year. Employment for Neonatal Nurses is projected to increase 15 % over the next ten years.
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