Nursing is one of the most rewarding careers, but it’s also one that pays poorly. The average nurse makes less than $77,000 a year.
But some nurses make more money than others, and they’re not just working at hospitals or clinics anymore. Here are some of the most lucrative nursing careers you can pursue right now:
1. Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are highly trained professionals who can diagnose and treat a wide range of illnesses. They can prescribe medications, perform minor surgery, and work in a variety of settings, including clinics and hospitals.
According to Nurse.org, there is a striking upsurge in nurse practitioners’ jobs. The 10-year projection into the profession suggests job growth for nurse practitioners will outpace most healthcare professionals.
NPs possess an undergraduate nursing degree from an accredited college or university. They must also complete a graduate-level program at an accredited school of nursing to become certified as NPs. These programs include clinical rotations that allow students to gain hands-on experience working with patients in various settings, such as emergency rooms or intensive care units (ICUs).
2. Family Nurse Practitioner
Family nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have advanced education and training. They are trained to diagnose, treat and manage common illnesses, provide preventive care, educate patients about their conditions and help them manage chronic illnesses.
Family nurse practitioners also can prescribe medications, order tests, refer patients to specialists, write prescriptions for controlled substances (drugs), and administer immunizations.
The most effective way to become a family nurse practitioner is through one of the post-master’s FNP programs online that blend didactic learning with clinical experience. With this course, you’ll build on your existing education and experience while also getting support in your placement.
3. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) provide anesthesia to patients in a variety of surgical settings, including hospitals and outpatient clinics. In addition to administering anesthesia, CRNAs might administer sedation, pain medication, and blood products as needed. They also keep patients safe by monitoring their vital signs during procedures.
Many healthcare organizations are looking for highly trained individuals who can provide critical care services in hospital settings or ambulatory surgical centers where patients receive outpatient care before or after their procedure takes place at another facility nearby.
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy doing every day, then we recommend exploring careers as certified registered nurse anesthetists. They offer competitive salaries while still allowing plenty of time off every week so that one can relax after working hard all day long.
According to U.S. News, the median salary of a nurse anesthetist in 2021 was USD195,610. The best-paid 25% earned USD 208,000 in the same year, while the lowest-paid 25% earned $164,860.
4. Nurse-Midwife
A nurse-midwife is a registered nurse who has also earned a master’s degree in nursing or midwifery. In addition to providing basic patient care, these professionals counsel patients on issues, ranging from prenatal care to childbirth preparation and postpartum care. They use their clinical training and expertise to make sure that both mothers and newborn babies receive the best possible healthcare.
They must meet specific educational requirements before they can become licensed as a nurse-midwife by their state board of nursing or associated boards of medicine, midwifery, osteopathy, or podiatry.
However, some states allow you to complete your education over time through continuing education courses and programs offered at accredited facilities, such as hospitals or universities.
5. Nurse Researcher
As a nurse researcher, you’ll be responsible for research to improve the health outcomes and quality of life of patients. You may study new treatments or therapies or assess how well existing ones work.
As a nurse researcher, you’ll want to be detail-oriented and have excellent critical thinking skills. You also must be able to communicate effectively with patients or their families.
Nurse researchers can earn a salary in the $80,000-$1000,000 range, a very respectable figure compared to other nursing professions.
6. Nurse Educator
Nurse educators teach nurses how to perform their job duties. They may be required to work in a clinical setting, classroom setting, or online. Each of these settings requires different skills and time commitments.
If you enjoy teaching others and are passionate about nursing as a career path, consider becoming a nurse educator.
7. Forensic Nurse
A forensic nurse is a registered nurse who has completed additional training in forensics. Forensic nurses are typically employed by the courts, law enforcement agencies, and hospitals.
The primary role of a forensic nurse is to provide medical care to victims of crime or accidents within their jurisdiction. This may include collecting evidence, assisting with autopsies, and providing care for victims at local hospitals or clinics.
Forensic nurses also assist with criminal prosecutions by providing expert testimony on nursing matters during court trials.
8. Clinical Nurse Specialist
As a clinical nurse specialist, you’ll perform the same daily duties as other nurses: assess and treat patients, advise patients and other health care professionals about treatment options, and provide emotional support.
However, this position can also include some of these additional responsibilities:
- Serving as a consultant for other nurses.
- Having a specialty area of expertise (e.g., pediatrics).
- Being able to write prescriptions in some states.
As with many nursing careers on this list, becoming an RN first is often required before pursuing your clinical nurse specialist certification, which means that it will take longer than expected to start working toward this career path full-time.
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you insight into the world of nursing. The field is growing, and there are many opportunities available for those who want to pursue a career in it. With this knowledge under your belt, go out there and use it to make yourself and others happy.
