If you are on the verge of finishing your nursing school degree program, it is time to start shifting your focus from school to choosing a permanent career. While some students enter school knowing exactly what job in the field of nursing they are pursuing, not everyone is so lucky.
While any job in the nursing field is fulfilling, there are a variety of different specialties that you can choose from, and some specialties will require you complete special courses. If your major motivator is money, you may be wondering just which nursing jobs are the highest paying jobs in the field. While salaries do go up based on experience, here are the highest paying areas of nursing that you may want to consider.
A Certified Nurse Midwife is the Fourth Highest Paying Position
Based on the average salary reported, a Certified Nurse Midwife makes $92,000 per year. If you want to be part of giving care during childbirth, or you want to deliver postpartum care, you will need a bachelor’s degree and a certification to be a nurse in midwifery. While a bachelor’s is required, most midwives complete a midwifery program and pursue a master’s degree to compete in the highly competitive field.
High Pay for a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
If you prefer a mental health specialty, consider becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and enter the third highest paying position in nursing. Psychiatric nursing practitioners are often referred to as PMHNs, and are registered nurses with a specialty in mental health. As a PMHN, you will diagnose individuals with disorders, treat, and assess patients and their families. Professionals in this specialty, on average, earn $96,000 per year with experience. The pay can go up depending on the facility, the level of education and the geographic area.
Nurse Researchers are the Second Highest Paid Nurses
A nurse researcher will design and prepare studies to answer specific research questions that pertain to health and illness. You may have to start as a research assistant to eventually become a coordinator, a monitor and then a nurse researcher. By designing studies and conducting research, you can be a part of delivering care more efficiently and improve the quality of life for patients. By taking this career path, you can earn an average salary of $100,000 and enjoy an excellent job outlook as the population of baby boomers grows.
The Highest Paying Career in the Field: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
The highest paid nurse in the field of nursing may surprise you. Out of all of the specialties, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist earns the most annually–an average of $160,000. To be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, you will need possess a special CRNA certification. Once you are certified, you will administer pre- and post- anesthesia to patients undergoing surgery or other procedures.
Nursing is a versatile field with dozens and dozens of different specialties to choose from. While salary is important, it not everything. You should consider the education required, the amount of time you must commit to the position, and whether or not the position will satisfy you. Consider every aspect of the career, and pursue a high-paying and highly satisfying job.
