Wherever you live, a typical visit with an FNP might include consultation, assessments, and going over prescriptions. Nurses of all specialties are currently very sought after, but nurse practitioners are likely to find themselves in an especially friendly job market because of their high demand. Related resource: These Are the Best States to Work in as a Nurse Practitioner 5. Gerontological nurse practitioner Median salary: $64, 906 Necessary education: RN license MSN or DNP degree Become a certified gerontological nurse practitioner (GNP) Do you have a special calling to work with the elderly? Many nurses do, and one very lucrative option for them is to become a gerontological nurse practitioner. GNPs are in high demand due to the size of the baby boomer population and the increase in average lifespan. The number of elderly patients will increase more and more in the coming years. If you decide to become a gerontological nurse practitioner, you could work in a nursing home, hospital, or clinic.
This means that strong, independent leadership as well as nuanced communication skills are wonderful assets for a CCN to have. 7. Nurse anesthetist Median salary: $157, 690 Necessary education: RN license MSN degree Variety of nursing specialties Most people agree that it doesn't get much more lucrative in nurse specialization than becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). With a median salary of almost $158, 000, this particular specialization stands out in compensation above the rest on the list. One reason for this is that nurse anesthetists are more prone to the complexities of potential lawsuits coming their way. They also need high levels of training to ensure their decisions are made with the best possible consideration. A CRNA's main responsibility is to give anesthesia to patients who are going into surgery. This means you'll need to be able to gauge your patients' responses to anesthesia pre- and post-operation, which requires quick discernment in emergency situations.
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The elderly have a specific set of health needs, which requires its own nursing specialization. Their wealth of wisdom and life experience makes caring for geriatric patients especially enriching for many nurses. Related resource: The Challenges and Joys of Geriatric Nursing 6. Critical care nurse Median salary: $80, 000 Necessary education: RN license BSN degree preferred Certified critical care nurse (CCN) designation preferred Critical care nurses, also known as intensive care unit (ICU) nurses, have to act quickly under pressure and possess excellent decision-making skills. If your idea of a life-saving nurse means intervening in critical moments of a patient's health, this specialization will fit your ambitions perfectly. ICU nurses need to be cool under pressure and think clearly when situations present a very high risk factor. Aside from measuring vitals, critical care nurses need to perform procedures, treat wounds, administer IV fluids, and communicate with patients' families.
Want to earn a healthy paycheck in nursing? Get the right advanced education and training to pursue one of these seven well-paying careers. High-Paying Nursing Jobs Nursing may be a labor of love, but it is also a profession in which some additional education and training can go a long way toward taking your job title—and salary—to the next level. We gathered seven of the highest-paid nurses in the profession, covering a range of positions and requiring various degrees and certifications, with salary data from PayScale. In addition to your specialty, salary will also depend on your experience level and where in the country you're employed. For example, a certified nurse midwife salary in Henderson, Nevada, is 20% higher than the national average; a nurse director salary in Brooklyn is 2% higher than the national average; and a nurse practitioner salary in Boston is 2% higher than the national average. Head of nursing / Chief Nursing Officer Typical requirements: Master's degree in area of specialty and at least 15 years of experience Average annual salary: $127, 762 Combining strong nursing experience with the overall planning, personnel oversight and policy-making duties of a top executive, one of nursing's top big-picture positions is also one that brings home the biggest bucks.
Find nursing director jobs on Monster. Certified nurse midwife Typical requirements: RN program followed by midwifery program for either certification or a master's degree Average annual salary: $94, 375 Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) attend an estimated 300, 000 births per year in settings ranging from hospitals to homes, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. But CNMs do more than deliver babies. They also provide a wide range of care to female patients, including family-planning education, gynecological exams, and prenatal and postnatal care. In hospitals, CNMs often work closely with OB/GYNs. While the educational requirements vary by state, as of 2010, all CNMs are required to hold a master's degree (such as a master of science in nursing). Find certified nurse midwife jobs on Monster. Nurse practitioner Typical requirements: Master's degree and certification as a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) in specialty area Average annual salary: $94, 771 Most states require nurse practitioners (NPs) to work collaboratively with physicians; however, roughly a dozen states allow NPs to open their own clinics, while a dozen or so others require NPs to work under the supervision of a physician.