Nursing is a noble profession that offers a highly rewarding career. There are several nursing specialties that work in specific areas to offer the best patient care. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), there are over 4 million registered nurses in the US. However, there is a critical nursing shortage that demands approximately 200,000 more nursing jobs to meet the growing healthcare demands. 

Nursing jobs have several high-paying career options with total job security and competitive pay. Particularly, with specializations in critical care, the neonatal department, and surgical areas, professionals can maximize their earning potential. Nursing jobs offer a great career prospect. However, before you pick a specialty, you must understand the salary trends in nursing jobs to better judge and decide. 

What are the Educational Requirements for Nursing Jobs?

Nursing professionals have several paths to enter the healthcare field. Some basic roles demand an associate degree with certifications, while some major roles have extensive qualification requirements, including a formal bachelor’s or even a master’s or doctoral degree. However, the salaries are based on the level of education. So, if your aim is to maximize earnings, opting for higher education, specializations, and continuing education will expand your earning potential. 

Top 10 Highest-Paying Nursing Jobs

Nursing jobs, in terms of salaries, offer very lucrative opportunities. It is one of the fastest growing occupations, with a growth rate of 46%. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nursing jobs continue to grow, with RN jobs at a 6% growth rate.  So, without further ado, let’s find out which nursing jobs will help you make the most money. 

1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Jobs (CRNA)

This is the highest-paying nursing job out of all nursing professions. The main responsibility of CRNAs is to administer anesthesia during medical and surgical procedures. However, this simple job has many critical points and must be done precisely. Hence, CRNAs have extensive qualification requirements, including a master’s or even a doctoral degree, along with license and certifications. 

This is why it is the highest-paying nursing job. The average CRNA salary is around $212,650 per year. Additionally, travel CRNA jobs offer even more lucrative packages. This is the most money you can make as a travel nurse. 

2. Certified Nurse Midwife Jobs (CNM)

They specialize in gynecology and obstetrics. Their responsibility is to provide care to the upcoming mother and baby before, during, and after birth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, labor and delivery nurse salary can go up to $177,530, while the average pay lies around $129,650.  

3. Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing Jobs (NICU) 

NICU nurse jobs are very critical as they have to provide care to newborn babies in the intensive care units. Due to the critical nature of NICU nurse jobs, they are well compensated with financial benefits. There are travel NICU nurse jobs as well. The average NICU nurse salary is around $127,391 per year. 

4. General Nurse Practitioner Jobs (NP)

General nurse practitioners are open to choosing any primary care setting. Their main responsibility in nurse practitioner jobs is to assist doctors in diagnosing and treating patients with accuracy. This path allows you to advance rapidly and maximize your earning potential as you progress. According to the BLS, nurse practitioner salary can go up to $165,240.

5. Clinical Specialist Nursing Jobs (CNS)

Clinical nurse specialists are responsible for providing special clinical care to patients with certain medical conditions. Their placements are often in cardiology, oncology, or pediatrics departments, based on their specialty. Due to their specialization, the job offers a competitive salary with an average of $94,545 per year.  

6. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Jobs (PNP)

Mental health awareness is rapidly increasing, consequently increasing the demand for psychiatric nurse practitioner jobs. They offer their services in psychiatric units where patients need different kinds of care. Due to the critical nature of their jobs, a psychiatric nurse practitioner salary is estimated to be around $141,112 per year. With enough experience, it can reach up to $200,000, which is comparable to a clinical psychologist salary.  

7. Nursing Administrator Jobs

Nursing administrators are responsible for managing the entire nursing staff as well as overseeing hospital operations. Their management role gives them an edge, maximizing their income. According to BLS, the average nursing administrator salary is $110,680 per year.  

8. Family Nurse Practitioner Jobs (FNP)

Long-term care is an essential part of family dynamics. Due to the rapidly growing population of baby boomers, FNP jobs have become very high in demand.  In the US, the average family nurse practitioner salary can go up to $191,000, while the national average is around $127,976 per year.

9. Nurse Educator Jobs

Another great alternative path is a nurse educator. They are responsible for teaching and training aspiring nurses to prepare them for the upcoming workforce. However, the qualification requirements are extensive, often requiring doctoral degrees. Due to the importance of their role, the average salary of educator nursing jobs is around $80,780 to $130,320 per year.  

10. Intensive Care Unit Nurse Jobs (ICU)

When it comes to severe and life-threatening situations, the patients come under the care of ICU nurses. They help critical patients in recovery and monitor them for any abnormalities. The salary expectations for a critical care nurse job are high, sometimes reaching up to $171,500 per year.

Rise of Travel Nursing Jobs

Travel nursing jobs are rapidly gaining popularity due to several reasons. Travel assignments offer higher earning potential, flexible work schedules, and the opportunity to work in different medical settings. However, the nursing shortage is also a burning factor that gave rise to this trend. These travel nurse jobs are a great way to explore diverse healthcare roles to gain experience along with lucrative financial benefits. 

The healthcare industry in the US offers thousands of travel nurse jobs every year to compensate for the lack of staff in medical facilities. The aging population, rapid growth, and growing healthcare needs are making nursing jobs in high demand. 

Some of the best travel nurse jobs with competitive salary packages are:

• Travel RN jobs
• Travel CNA jobs
• Travel PACU nurse jobs
• Travel nurse practitioner jobs

You can connect with the best travel nursing agencies to find a suitable job with a competitive salary. Now, you must be wondering how to become a travel nurse. Traveling nurse jobs are quite demanding and require extensive training along with hands-on experience. 

• Firstly, you need to complete your formal education and acquire your RN license. 
• Then, you have to pass licensure exams for different states, as each state has its own licensing requirements. 
• Lastly, a traveling nurse requires at least 1 to 2 years of clinical experience to start practicing.

If you wish to maximize your earnings, you can go for specializations such as CRNA, CCRN, NRP, etc. This will help you gain valuable experience in various medical settings and, consequently, maximize your earnings as you progress. Many nursing professionals opt for travel jobs for the added financial benefits, including a living stipend, accommodation allowance, sign-up bonus, and travel reimbursements, which makes travel nursing jobs even more lucrative. 

Conclusion 

Nursing jobs offer highly rewarding career options with competitive salaries and growth opportunities. Each job has its own responsibilities and perks. To find the most suitable nursing job that aligns with your expertise and career goal, you can connect with a healthcare staffing agency.  

Explore different nursing jobs with the best healthcare staffing agency and start your nursing career!