A friend of mine, whose daughter had just completed high school and was planning on joining a nursing school, asked for my opinion on the best nursing programs. One leading to the best nursing jobs in the market. My first thought was that what a wonderful career path his daughter is setting herself up for; registered nurses are in high demand not just in America but the world over.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2016, registered nurses earned a median annual wage of $72,180[1]. There are also strong job growth projections in this nursing careers. Especially if one gets additional certifications, advanced degrees, and specialize in a specific nursing area typically lacking specialists.
Not only do nurses take home a good salary, but also are in high demand in the market. There is also a bigger chance of going into private practice by opening your own clinic and becoming successful.
So to help my friend out, and of course, this is a decision his daughter will have to make on her own. I did some further research to shed more light on the average pay for the best paying nursing jobs in America. Most of the information below was sourced from BLS and PayScale.
Highest Paying Nursing Jobs
The following list is what I came up with and it entails the top paying nursing program, their average annual pay, qualifications, and accreditations:
1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
On average, a CRNA makes $133,000 annually. A CRNA is a highly skilled professional who prepares and administers anesthesia to patients. Working in partnership with a surgeon, dentist, anesthesiologist, podiatrists, and other qualified health practitioners.
According to the BLS, CRNA jobs are expected to grow by 25% from 2012 to 2022. For one to qualify as a CRNA, you must at least attain a Master’s degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia education program. After that, pass the National Certification Examination. An organization that typically employs a CRNA include hospitals, clinics, and staffing agencies.
2. Certified Nurse Midwife
According to BLS, Certified Nurse-Midwives make, on average, an annual salary of $102,390. This is one of those nursing jobs that are likely not to see a decline in demand any time soon. This nursing career path has a job outlook growth of about 29% from the period 2012 and 2022.
Certified nursing midwives must successfully go through the American Midwifery Certification Board program. Then earn the Certified Nurse-Midwife and Certified Midwife designations. Potential employers include hospitals, clinics, and staffing agencies.
3. General Nurse Practitioner (NP)
The BLS puts the average annual salary of a general NP at $97,990. This nursing career has a projected growth rate of 34% through to the year 2022. For one to qualify as a general NP, at the very minimum, one must hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Followed by a Nurse Practitioner license from your respective State. A general NP can work in a hospital, clinic, and staffing agencies. You also have the option of opening your own clinic and go for private practice.
4. Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
The US, just like other industrialized nations has better medical care, food security, and prosperity. That also means that the lifespan of the average American is increasing. Meaning there is a growing number of senior citizens, and that also means, a growing population of individuals that must be looked after.
Gerontological nurses are registered nurses that are professionally trained to look after senior citizens. According to the BLS as at May 2013, the median salary for gerontological nurses was $95,070. For one to qualify for this nursing job, you need to become a Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (CGNP).
5. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
These are nurses who help patients suffering from mental illnesses. A psychiatric nurse practitioner works under a psychiatric physician. Helping them in the provision of counseling services to the patients. According to PayScale, on average, a psychiatric nurse practitioner takes home about $90,376 annually. To practice, one needs to at least a Master’s degree specializing in psychiatric nursing.
Mental health is a rising concern not just in the US, but the world over. Especially as more and more people find themselves stressed with the day-to-day challenges of the modern world. Ranging from work, school, and personal relationship issues.
With the increasing levels of stress people in the modern world face. The demand for mental health practitioners is only set to grow. Especially for those who specialize in adolescent and child psychiatric services.
6. Pain Management Nurse
After surgery, some patients do experience pain for an extended period. There are also those suffering from chronic pain due to various conditions. A Pain Management Nurse is a registered nurse who helps such patients to manage their pain. While minimizing their dependence on prescription pain-killer medications.
According to BLS, a Pain Management Nurse earns about $90,288 annually. These nurses can find work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. There is an increasing demand for specialists with these skills traits in the medical and rehabilitation industry. Potential employers include hospitals, clinics, and staffing agencies.
7. Family Nurse Practitioner
A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) job description entails the assessment of patients, consultations, medication prescription, and treatment.
According to PayScale, they make an average of $84,240 annually. BLS further projects this nursing career path has a job growth of 34% between 2012 to 2024. A qualified FNP must attain the Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (FNP-BC) certification. It has become a trend that most who attain that qualification, must also acquire a Master’s degree.
8. Informatics Nurse
This is one of the nursing practice where the practitioner interacts more with technology than with human patients. The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) defines Informatics nursing as an informatics integrated nursing program where information and knowledge are used in the management of ICT to promote public health.
On average, Informatics Nurses take home about $83,000 per year. According to AMIA, over the next five years, there will be a market demand for at least 70,000 additional nursing informatics practitioners. Qualification for this nursing job requires one to be a holder of a Master of Science in Nursing or a Master’s in Computer Science or Information.
9. Clinical Nurse Specialist
This is one of those nursing careers that will take you into a specialized unit or clinic. The job entails diagnosing and treatment of various conditions and ailments. A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) will be considered as an expert in a specific healthcare team. One can also opt to specialize in a particular illness.
According to PayScale, a CNS makes between $75,000 to $85,000 annually. Depending on their level of experience. Usually, a CNS offers its medical services at a lower cost compared to a physician. Thus more hospitals and other medical institutions are expected to seek out their services.
A qualified CNS must, at a minimum, be a holder of a Master’s of Science in Nursing, with a specialization in clinical nursing.
10. Nursing Administrator
A nursing administrator can be referred to as part of hospital management that deals with backstage operations of nursing. That includes HR functions, staff management, and budgeting. According to PayScale, a Nursing Administrator makes about $79,064 per year.
The BLS estimates the Nursing Administrator job growth at 23% from 2012 to 2022. A Nursing Administrator makes up part of the medical and health services management. A qualified practitioner needs to be a holder of a Master’s degree in healthcare administration and their respective State licensing to start practicing.
Wrapping up…
To become a Registered Nurse (RN), one must go to a nursing school to undertake an education program, which can vary in length from 1-8 years. Depending on the level of education and the duties the professional will be required to practice.
You can begin practicing nursing after a 1-year vocational nursing training, but to become an RN, you require at the very least to have undergone two years of nursing school. To nursing course leading to a full doctorate takes at least 8-years. However, the most popular nursing programs take about 2-years for an associate’s degree in nursing, and 4-years Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.
There is also the option of becoming
a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). An LPN also referred to as a Licensed
Vocational Nurse (LVN), is a medical practitioner that helps the RN. They are
only licensed to provide basic patient care. To become an LPN, you only need to
undergo a 1-year training program, which entails classwork and supervised
clinical experience.