Here are a few of the resources mentioned in this video:
In this guide, we’ve highlighted 15 different types of nurses with pay and job descriptions.
A CRNA is a type of advanced practice registered nurse who is in charge of administering anesthesia to patients. They are expected to find the best anesthetic plan for the patient, administer it, and monitor their vitals before, during, and after surgery.
They work with anesthesiologists, dentists, surgeons, and other professionals to prepare patients for their procedures.
CRNAs are the highest-paid practice nurses. Their salaries range from $110k to $203k according to Payscale. The median salary is$117,670 per year or $56.57 per hour. The exact amount depends on years of experience and residence.
The highest-paying states for CRNAs are Montana, Wyoming, and California.
To become a CRNA, you need:
Neonatal nurse practitioners are trained to take care of newborn babies born sick or prematurely from the time of birth, to when they are discharged. Neonatal nurses work in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of medical centers, hospitals, or clinics. The level of care expected from them depends on the type of facility.
Some of their tasks include:
According to the BLS, on average, neonatal nurse practitioners make $75,330 per year, or $36.22 per hour.
You need an NNP certification and/or neonatal resuscitation certification to advance in this specialty. You can also get optional neonatal training.
CNP works in the intensive care unit (ICU) with patients who have heart diseases such as myocardial infarctions, or have undergone heart surgery. They monitor them, administer medications, perform tests, and assist them to understand how to care for their heart after the procedure (cardiac rehabilitation).
They also assist with surgical procedures such as angioplasty, pacemaker surgery, or bypass.
On average, CNPs make $116,810 per year which varies depending on education, experience, additional skills, and certifications.
To become a CNP, you need to take the cardiac nursing exam, which you qualify for after being a registered nurse for two or more years.
Orthopedic nurses deal with injuries or diseases of the muscle and skeleton. These illnesses include broken bones, arthritis, osteoporosis, and joint replacements among others.
Orthopedic nurses help with diagnosis, casting, and surgeries. They also work alongside physicians to help recovering patients return to full mobility.
Orthopedic Nurses make $115,700 per year on average ($56 per hour). With a proper combination of experience, skills, and location, you can make up to $123,000 per year.
To become an orthopedic nurse, you need to take the orthopedic certification exam, which you qualify for if:
ONPs are highly trained in the detection and treatment of cancer. They are responsible for educating patients on what treatment options they have and what to expect from each.
During and after treatment, they prescribe medication and continue monitoring the progress of their patients.
ONPs often work in hospitals, but can also work in-home care organizations, and ambulatory services.
The salary range for this high-demand position is $108,901 to $119,901. On average, they make $115,601 per year ($56 per hour).
To become an oncology nurse, you need:
GNPs provide basic preventive health care to patients. Although they commonly work in family practices, due to the versatility of their career, general nurses can also work in pediatrics, adult practices, and women’s health among others.
GNPs can work in a number of industries such as:
On average, GNPs earn about $111,680 per year or $53 per hour according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics. GNPs are paid the highest in Vallejo, Spokane, and San Francisco
To become a GNP, you need first to become an advanced practice nurse practitioner by obtaining a Master’s degree from an accredited program. With your master’s, you can now go for a nursing specialization.
Family nurse practitioners are educated and trained in primary health care services for all ages in a clinical setting or a family practice. They deliver strictly family-focused care.
Their typical duties include physical examination, diagnosis, treatment, and prescription.
FNPs make $111,680 per year, which equals $53 per hour.
To become an FNP, you need to earn your FNP certification from American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC )after acquiring the following:
Clinical Nurse Specialists are also referred to as Intensive Care Unit nurses. They are a type of advanced practice registered nurses who work with other staff and nurses to improve the quality of care that the patient receives. They specialize in areas such as medical setting, patient population, type of patient problem, and type of patient care among others.
This role has leadership responsibilities so CNSs are expected to offer advice and education to other nursing staff. They also oversee specific care systems to ensure they are effective and offer suggestions to improve them.
The median salary of a CNS is $109,822 per year ($53 per hour). It ranges between $99,296 and $120,295 depending on experience, state, experience, and additional certifications.
To become a CNS, here are the steps you need to take.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners often work at correctional centers or mental health facilities, but can also work in private practices or within hospital settings.
They work with patients who have shown symptoms of, or those who have already been diagnosed with, and are being treated for mental illnesses and neurological disorders.
They also treat patients who have suffered mental breakdowns and elderly patients with different forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s.
The median salary for PNPs is $109,670 per year ($53 per hour) but may fall within $98,030 and $120,300.
To become a PNP, you need to earn a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in psychiatric care. You also need practical experience.
Pediatric nurses specialize in taking care of children from infancy into teen years. Their responsibilities are similar to those of other nurses and include performing physical examinations, diagnosing illnesses, and coming up with treatment plans.
They are also expected to educate and direct parents on the best care for their children to ensure they never need to go to the hospital.
Pediatric nurse practitioners can be employed at various facilities such as ICUs and schools among others.
According to salary.com, Pediatric Nurses make about $109,400 per year ($53 per hour). The range typically falls between $102,200 and $114,800.
To become a pediatric nurse practitioner, you need to sit for the pediatric certification exam that is provided by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. You qualify for this exam if you have an MSN degree with a specialization in pediatric care.
Nurse-Midwives specialize in women’s reproductive health and childbirth. They serve as the primary caregivers for pregnant women and new mothers.
Nurse-Midwives care for pregnant women, assist in delivery, and educate and counsel new mothers on how to adjust to life with a newborn. They can work independently or as part of a team in a hospital.
Some of the industries that Nurse-Midwives can work in include:
Although it is mostly associated with women, men also excel in this profession.
Nurse-Midwives make, on average, $111,130 per year which is equal to $53 per hour.
To become a Nurse-Midwife, you need to have an MSN degree and be certified as a Midwife by completing a program by the Accreditation for Midwifery Education.
Pain Management Nurses work in palliative care, hospice programs, or within hospital oncology units. Their main responsibility is to identify the cause of a patient’s pain, then prepare a diagnosis and care plan.
They also oversee the treatment of the patient and educate them on how to manage and reduce the pain and what medication to use or avoid.
Pain management nurses make $104,309 per year on average or $44.79 per hour.
You do not need an advanced degree to become a pain management nurse. In order to earn the pain management nurse practitioner certification, you need to have significant registered nurse experience.
Nurse researchers are scientists who conduct research on various aspects of healthcare, illness, and health at the nursing level. Their scientific studies are published in nursing publications and medical journals.
This is a very essential nursing specialty as the results of these studies are used to improve the healthcare services and outcomes for all patients.
A nurse researcher makes $95,000 per year.
To become a Nurse Researcher, you need to have a doctoral degree (Ph.D.).
A nurse administrator combines years of experience in health care and business skills to supervise and manage the nursing staff. They are part of the executive team and oversee entire nursing teams and units, help develop policies, and coordinate nursing with other departments.
They may also be charged with hiring and training staff as well as handling financial matters such as the budget. They may also provide patient care if the need arises.
The operation of the nursing team or unit depends on the nursing administrators to run effectively.
The average salary for nursing administrators is about $95,329 per year, or about $46 per hour.
To become a nurse administrator, you need to have a Master’s Degree in Healthcare and a registered nurse license.
Gerontology nursing is a field in nursing which involves caring for the elderly. On a typical day, a gerontological nurse practitioner is tasked with assessing the cognitive abilities of the patient, evaluating their acute or chronic conditions, and educating them on how to prevent falls and injuries among other tasks.
They also groom the patients and give them advice on how to manage their problems.
There are very many job opportunities for geriatric nurses because they can work in any place as long as there are elderly people present. Apart from the traditional healthcare facilities such as hospitals, outpatient centers and, community clinics, gerontological nurse practitioners can also work in:
They can even open their own practice if they want to be independent.
On average, Gerontological Nurse Practitioners make $97,031 per year or $47 per hour.
To become a gerontological nurse practitioner, you need to successfully take the gerontological nursing certification exam hosted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. To qualify for this exam, you need to have a registered nurse license, and at least two years of full-time experience.
You may be tempted to make your selection based on salary alone. DON’T! You should consider what you are interested in, what you are really passionate about, and what general role you will play in the healthcare landscape. It would be a shame if a large paycheck stuck you to a job you hate.
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