Nursing can be not only mentally challenging and emotionally rewarding, but also have monetary benefits, as well. As one of the fastest growing and best-paying occupations in the United States, nursing is a competitive, useful and important field. Of course, the higher the pay, the more responsibility a nurse has. The average pay for a registered nurse is $67,490 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some higher paying positions, which require more education, experience and specialization pay more than $100,000 a year.
We’ve listed some of the highest paying nursing jobs available in the United States:
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
A CRNA or nurse anesthetist provides anesthesia, as well as pre- and post-surgery care for patients. They can also provide anesthesia for therapeutic, diagnostic and obstetrical procedures. The National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists offers the National Certification Examination for registered nurses wanting to pursue these positions or re-certify themselves. The average salary for a nurse anesthetist is $157,140 according to the BLS. This is the highest average salary for advanced practice registered nurses, or nurses who have pursued higher and specialized education and certification. The occupational outlook for CRNAs is also very good. The BLS reports that this occupational field will grow 19 percent over the next decade.
Nurse Midwives
Nurse midwives play a very important role in the field of women’s health, gynecology and obstetrics. These professionals provide general care to women, which can include gynecological exams, family planning advice and services, and pre-, neo- and postnatal care. The American Midwifery Certification Board offers the Certified Nurse-Midwife certification for registered nurses with women’s health and related professional experience. The average salary for a nurse midwife is $92,510 and the job outlook shows that this field will grow 25 percent over the next few years.
Nurse Practitioners
A nurse practitioner can act as a primary and specialty care provider in lieu of a physician or as an assistant to a physician. Nurse practitioners help patients to improve and manage their health and advise and promote better health strategies. The American Nurses Credentialing Center, for example, offers specific exams for certification in different areas of practice. The outlook for nurse practitioners is very positive; this occupational field is going to grow 35 percent over the next few years. The average salary is $98,190.
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
Because of the expanding lifespan of many Americans and the aging population of Baby Boomers, the need for medical professionals who have skills and knowledge concerning diseases, disorders and health-related issues of elderly people is growing. The National Gerontological Nursing Association offers resources for those looking to go into this field of nursing or who seek professional development. The average salary for nurse practitioners is $97,990. However, those gerontological nurse practitioners who work in private residential care facilities often make much more than those who work for public hospitals.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
These nurse practitioners work in the field of mental health and disorders. There are different state requirements for the professional certification for psychiatric nurse practitioners. The average salary for a psychiatric nurse practitioner is about $100,661. Many opportunities for these advanced practice nurses are available, especially in rural and inner-city settings.