Not all nursing looks the same. There are a wide variety of RN speciality jobs that give nurses the opportunity to focus on the kind of work that most interests them. Different types of nursing jobs require different types of skills; some are more care-based, and some are more clinical. Medical facilities have varying needs when hiring nurses, and the expectations and pay of RNs working in different specialities can vary greatly, depending on the field and location.
For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median yearly salary for a registered nurse in May 2020 was $75,330, and the highest-paid RNs made more than $116,230. Of course, salary rates tend to be higher in metropolitan areas and vary quite a bit by state. For example, in 2020, the states with the highest mean salary for registered nurses were California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Alaska.
Focusing on an in-demand nursing speciality can increase your potential in both job searching and job satisfaction. Below are some of the most desirable RN specialities and a little bit about what you can expect from each.
1. Intensive Care Unit Nurses (ICU Nurses)
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nursing jobs are demanding and complex, requiring advanced skills and experience. ICU nurses, sometimes called critical care nurses, care for patients in life-threatening situations or who are critically ill and need intense care. A typical patient might be a stroke victim or someone who has had a heart attack, or someone who has been seriously injured or has a medical issue that is severe. Most ICU nurses work in hospital settings and typically need a Bachelor’s degree, an RN license, and an optional Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) designation.
Patients in intensive care units often require 24-hour specialized care, and nurses are expected to have training to handle emergency situations. Critical care nurses often make more than other specialities. Yearly salaries vary by state, but on average ICU nurses can make about $98,200 annually. It is important to note, however, that the pay any ICU nurse earns depends on a lot of factors, including the location and type of medical facility as well as the nurse’s experience and education level.
2. Neonatal Intensive Care Nurses (NICU)
Nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care for babies born prematurely or critically ill. Working with a physician and a team of care providers, these nurses assist with births, monitor newborns, administer medications, etc. They also play a large role in helping parents learn how to care for their infant. NICU nursing jobs also involve supporting parents through what can be a time of worry and fear about the future for their child.
On a national level, the average salary for a NICU nurse is $71,000 annually, which is more than staff nurses typically make at a hospital. As with most nursing specialties, the pay rate is based on several factors. In some areas of the country, NICU nurses make more than the average, and some less, depending on location, shift, experience, etc. And RNs filling travel and PRN NICU nursing jobs will make more.
3. Operating Room Nurses (OR)
Operating Room nurses are also referred to as perioperative nurses because they are involved in patient care before, during, and after a surgical operation. Their focus is to help plan and perform a successful procedure. OR nurses prepare the operating room and the patient for surgery, and they also assist in the operating room. Duties also include controlling a patient’s bleeding by applying bandages during a surgery. Nurses can take on different roles within the OR. For example, a scrub nurse manages the surgical instruments while the surgeon operates, and a circulating nurse makes sure the environment is sterile during the procedure.
Successful OR nurses thrive in a fast-paced and sometimes high-pressure job. Most often OR nurses work in hospitals or outpatient surgical centers. Working in an OR, nurses can make a median salary of $68,450 per year, though that can vary depending on the location of the nursing job and the experience or education of the nurse.
4. Cardiovascular (CVU) Nurses
It’s common knowledge that heart disease is a leading cause of illness and death in the United States. That’s one reason cardiovascular nurses are in high demand, and demand is expected to increase as the nation’s population ages. Cardiovascular nurses, also called cardiac nurses, perform a wide range of duties related to caring for cardiac patients.
Cardiovascular nurses help develop treatment plans for patients with heart-related issues, as well as educate patients and communicate with families. They also assist with heart surgeries, such as angioplasty, bypass, or pace-maker procedures. It’s also important that cardiac nurses are adept at cardiac life support and able to perform catheterization.
You’ll find cardiovascular nursing jobs in home-health settings or in hospitals, clinics, intensive care facilities or long-term care facilities. Cardiac nurses can earn an average base salary of $88,500 depending on your nursing experience and education level, as well as the job’s location.
5. Emergency Room (ER) Nurses
ER registered nurses work under intense pressure in emergency medical situations that require critical-thinking skills and problem-solving skills, all while staying calm amid demanding circumstances. Mere seconds can make a huge difference in patient outcomes. In the emergency room, nurses tend to see a variety of issues and care for patients with a lot of different needs. Once a patient is evaluated and stabilized, an ER nurse may review charts, determine medication needs, and tend to wounds.
As an ER nurse, you may choose to specialize even further. Specialities to consider, most of which require specific certifications, include:
- Flight ER Nurses treat patients being transported by air.
- Pediatric ER Nurses treat children who come to the ER.
- Transport ER Nurses care for patients as they are being moved between hospitals.
- Trauma ER Nurses handle severe trauma cases in the emergency room.
- Triage ER Nurses prioritize trauma cases, making sure those who need the most urgent care are treated first.
The average salary of an ER nurse varies widely across the country, but the median annual income is $70,104.
6. Travel Nurses
Travel nurses do not work for a single facility. Instead they move from one location to the next, wherever they’re most needed, and depending on their contract. For nurses who enjoy meeting new people and challenges, and who want to expand their professional experience in a variety of settings, travel nursing jobs can be very rewarding.
Much like PRN nursing jobs, travel nurses are usually paid an hourly wage, and most contracts include a housing stipend.
With nursing shortages rising, especially amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel nurses are in high demand and can often make more than similar nurses in a non-travel role . Of course, the salary of a travel nurse depends on the specific contract and location, as well as the nurse’s speciality, education, and experience level.
