One of the wonderful things about becoming a licensed registered nurse is that you’ll have opportunities to the highest paying nursing jobs. There are countless opportunities for career advancement once you become an RN. Pursuing your education further will increase your salary and your value to your current employer, and will open numerous doors for you in other areas of healthcare.
Here are a few of the highest paying nursing jobs for registered nurses – and what you will need to pursue those careers.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
Without a doubt, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are paid the highest salary of any of the nursing professions. The starting salary of a CRNA will be in the six figures.
The duties of a CRNA may include assessing the patient before administering anesthesia, administering anesthesia, and providing care as the patient recovers from anesthesia.
The CRNA program is challenging and rigorous, but if it is the type of job that you enjoy, the rewards, both financial and personal, can be huge. CRNA programs are master’s degree programs and take 24 to 36 months to complete.
To apply for a CRNA program, you must already be a registered nurse and have at least one year of experience in an acute care setting.
Nurse Practitioners
NP’s are registered nurses who can perform many of the same functions as a physician. In some states, nurse practitioners can function as the primary care provider for patients. They may assess patients and prescribe medications. The salary for nurse practitioners averages from the $70,000s to the $80,0000s.
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have at least a master’s degree. According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, there are 120,000 licensed nurse practitioners currently practicing in the United States.
Midwife
If you love the thought of helping bring new life into the world, you may want to consider a career as a midwife. Nurse-midwives attend hundreds of thousands of deliveries and they conduct millions of patient visits every year. The median salary for a Certified Nurse Midwife is $83,908, according to Salary.com.
Midwives may evaluate patient conditions, educate patients about prenatal care and health issues, assist with labor and delivery, and provide some post-natal care. They may have their own private practice or work in a clinic or hospital.
Requirements for nurse midwives vary by state, but they must at least be registered nurses who then attend either a master’s degree program or a certificate program with a specialty in midwifery.
As you can see, the opportunities are quite lucrative for registered nurses if they are willing to continue their education and put in the time.
