What Kind of Nurses Get Paid the Most?

It is no secret nurses are in demand. However, most people are unaware of the fact that nurse salaries differ quite significantly based on title, years of experience and the nuances of the work. Pursue a nursing career in the right specialty, pay your dues and you just might end up making more money than you ever imagined. Let's take a look at nurse wages for specific nursing specialties.

CRNAs: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists

CRNAs make good money as they are skilled professionals. Pursue a career as a CRNA and you will prepare and provide anesthesia. CRNAs work in tandem with an array of medical professionals ranging from dentists to surgeons, podiatrists and anesthesiologists. If your primary concern is money, you should give serious consideration to working as a CRNA as it is the top-paid nursing specialty. According to PayScale2, CRNAs take home an average annual salary of $133,000 each year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports CRNA positions will grow in number by 25% in the decade of time between 2012 and 2022. However, becoming a CRNA takes some effort. You will need a master's degree earned in an accredited nurse anesthesia program. You will also have to pass the National Certification Examination to boot.

General Nurse Practitioner

General NPs can either work in their own independent practice or make good money in primary care centers. Based on occupational employment statistics from the previous five years, general nurse practitioners make just under six figures each year. Nurse practitioner jobs will likely increase in number by one-third before 2022. The icing on the cake is the fact that general NPs can work independently. In order to become a nurse practitioner, you will need a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) along with a Nurse Practitioner licensure. Once your education is complete, you will be able to work for myriad employers ranging from staffing agencies to clinics, hospitals and beyond.

Pain Management Nurse

According to Nurse.org, Pain Management Nurses earn an average of slightly more than $90,288 on an annual basis. There is a growing demand for Pain Management Nurses in an array of healthcare settings ranging from nursing homes to rehab centers, clinics, hospitals and beyond. Ideally, those seeking to work as a Pain Management Nurse will have experience working as an RN. Though an advanced degree is unnecessary, it will certainly help maximize nurse wages.

Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

The United States populace is rapidly aging. We will need more gerontological nurse practitioners as time progresses in order to take proper care of our aging baby boomers and those to follow. According to the BLS, nurse salaries for gerontological nurse practitioners tend to be in excess of $95,000.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Nurses interested in working with patients dealing with mental health challenges will find working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner is quite rewarding. PayScale4 reports psychiatric nurse practitioners earn more than $90,000 per year. However, this line of work is fairly complex so a master's degree with a specialization in psychiatric nursing is necessary.

Certified Nurse Midwife

Midwifes are back in a big way. In particular, Certified Nurse Midwifes make good money. The BLS reports these professionals earn an average yearly salary in excess of $102,000 per year. Certified nurse midwife positions are likely to increase by 29% in the decade spanning 2012-2022.

Family Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioners, or FNPs for short, perform work similar to that of primary care physicians. Pursue a career as a FNP and you will work in a hospital, nursing facility, medical office or clinic as you assess, consult and treat patients. FNPs earn an average of more than $84,000 per year.

Athena Career Academy Will Help Launch Your Career

If you are interested in becoming a nurse, the path to a high-paying job starts with the right education and training. Athena Career Academy is here to put you on the fast track to success in the medical field. Contact us to learn more about our nursing programs. You can also click here to apply! Classes are forming now!