5 Highest Paid Nursing Careers
Posted On January 22,2019
As you probably know, a lot of medical professionals make a significant amount of money. However, they also require years and years of education. If you’re interested in the medical field but don’t want to spend the next decade going to school, you still have the option of pursuing a medical career by considering a career in nursing.Initial nursing positions require little more than a year or two of education and can be a great entry point to a high paying career. The following are just five examples of some of the highest paying nursing jobs that are available out there:
1. CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)
Many medical procedures require anesthesia to put the patient under while they are worked on. Administering anesthesia can be potentially dangerous, which is why it’s so important that someone who is highly trained to help with the task, such as a CRNA. CRNAs work with surgeons, dentists, anesthesiologists, podiatrists, and more. Because of the experience and expertise required to administer anesthetics, CRNAs are the highest paid nurses in the field, making an average of $133,000 a year.
To become a CRNA, you’ll need at least a master’s degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program and you’ll need to pass the National Certification Exam once you graduate.
Learn More about Athena's Nursing Program2. General NP (Nurse Practitioner)
General NPs can work in a variety of settings, including as part of a healthcare team in charge of RNs at hospitals and clinics. You can even open up your own practice as a general NP. A general NP can start at an average of around $90,000 a year. To become a general NP, you will need a Master of Science in Nursing, following which you will need to earn a Nurse Practitioner licensure within your state.
3. Gerontological NP
Gerontological NPs specialize in caring for elderly patients in hospitals, clinics, and staffing agencies. The median annual salary for a gerontological NP is $95,070. It’s worth noting that the demand for gerontological NPs is expected to increase dramatically over the years due to the fact that the population of seniors is growing significantly due to longer average lifespans and access to better healthcare. To become a gerontological NP, you will have to first become an RN (registered nurse) and then get certified to be a gerontological NP.
Click Here for additional details on the LPN to RN Program4. Pain Management Nurse
Pain management nurses have a challenging job in that they must work with patients experiencing pain post-surgery or who have chronic pain problems. They help determine the cause of the pain and help provide the proper course of treatment. They also help educate patients about pain management in addition to the dangers of addiction or dependence on whatever pain management medications they are prescribed.
The average nurse salary for a pain management nurse is $90,288 a year. They work in hospitals, clinics, rehab centers, and nursing homes. Advanced degrees are not required. Instead, you’ll need to become an RN and have sufficient experience to obtain the certification for pain management specialists.
5. Psychiatric NP
Psychiatric NPs work help counsel patients about mental health disorders and make an average of $90,376 a year. It’s an advanced position requiring detailed knowledge of mental health, which means that you’ll need a master’s degree with a specialty in psychiatric nursing to obtain a psychiatric NP position.
Not only are these nursing jobs high paying, but they will continue to be in high demand as well. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the field of nursing, be sure to contact us at Athena Career Academy for more information about our nursing programs.
