Top 10 Nursing Specialties
Thursday, January 26, 2012
From CampusRN user Erin McKinney
If you’re planning for a career in nursing, you might want to consider which jobs are the highest paying
out of all the nursing specialties. Here are the top ten highest paying specialties in nursing, with salaries
from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
1) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist – $135,000
Nurse anesthetists have the responsibility of administering anesthesia to patients. They work under
the supervision of physicians, surgeons, dentists, anesthesiologists, and other specialists in a variety
of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, outpatient centers, or research centers. They are trained to
administer all approved anesthetic techniques.
2) Nurse Researcher – $95,000
Nurse researchers usually work at laboratories and universities conducting or assisting in scientific
research and evaluation. Their studies may cover a variety of fields, such as biology, psychology, and
health care systems. They may also be lecturers and professors of nursing at academic institutions.
3) Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner – $95,000
Psychiatric nurse practitioners work with individuals with psychiatric disorders, mental conditions, or
who suffer from substance abuse. They are licensed to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders and
they can practice autonomously in 20 states. Some may specialize in a certain group of individuals, such
as children, adolescents, or adults, and they work in a variety of facilities, from hospitals and clinics to
emergency services and community health centers.
4) Certified Nurse Midwife – $84,000
Nurse midwives offer care to women with low-risk pregnancies through the postpartum period. They
offer a range of services, from gynecological care and child delivery to menopausal care. They may
work independently or work under the supervision of a physician. Nurse midwives can also prescribe
medications and treatments to their patients.
5) Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse – $81,000
Pediatric endocrinology nurses care for children who have diseases related to the endocrine system,
which cause problems with physical growth and sexual development. The most common diseases
they deal with are diabetes, intersex disorders, hypoglycemia, and puberty difficulties. These nurses
help children and their families learn how to deal with the problems related to the disease and offer
treatment.
6) Orthopedic Nurse – $81,000
Orthopedic nurses help patients who have musculoskeletal disorders, which can range from acute
fractures to bone density disorders. They are trained in specific skills such as muscle rehabilitation,
casting, and neurovascular monitoring. They work in a variety of settings, from trauma and emergency
departments to sports medicine and acute care.
7) Nurse Practitioner – $78,000
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have received advanced training in nursing. They
generally specialize in a specific field, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or women’s health and must be
licensed or certified through a state medical board. Some work under the supervision of doctors, but
they can also serve as primary care providers and supervise other nurses. They focus on educating
patients toward prevention and healthy lives.
8) Clinical Nurse Specialist – $76,000
Clinical nurse specialists care for patients in a manner similar to nurse practitioners, but they also work
to improve the work of other nurses and the overall health system. They offer advice and education to
health offices and clinics in order to help them provide better care.
9) Gerontological Nurse Practitioner – $75,000
Gerontological nurse practitioners specialize in the field of gerontology, which studies the effects of
aging. They care for older adults with acute and chronic diseases related to aging, which may range from
cardiovascular disease and diabetes to dizziness and stroke.
10) Neonatal Nurse – $74,000
Neonatal nurses care for newborn infants up to a month old. They offer care to both healthy infants and
those with minor or serious health conditions who need extra care in order to survive. They are usually
registered nurses (RNs) who may or may not have neonatal specializations.
This article was written by Erin McKinney, who is a licensed nurse practitioner. Erin also owns the site
Masters of Nursing for students interested in getting an
advanced degree in the nursing field.
posted in: Career, National, news, Employer News
