If you are considering working towards a nursing specialty, you have come to the right place. What is the highest-paid nursing specialty? What is the most common nursing specialty? We’ll give you the run-down on the top four nursing specialties and their respective average salaries in order to help you make this life-altering career decision.
Why You Should Consider Pursuing a Nursing Specialty
Jobs in the healthcare field are projected to increase 15% by 2029 – more than any other occupational category. All different types of nurses are in high demand, but the nursing specialties in highest demand are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs); employment for these nurses is estimated to increase by 26% by 2028. Furthermore, registered nurses (RNs) who have specialized in a specific area can also expect to significantly increase their salary.
Best Nursing Specialties
Choosing your ideal nursing specialty will of course depend on many factors: some specialties are in higher demand and therefore offer greater job opportunities; other specialties offer significantly higher-than-average salaries. However, these factors – although incredibly important – are not the only aspects you should consider. You must also consider the work environment that you find most fulfilling. What population do you enjoy working with? What setting do you feel most comfortable in? Do you enjoy the fast-paced, intense environment of the emergency room (ER), or do you prefer the more slow-paced, quiet setting of a nursing home?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) earn a whopping median annual salary of $174,790, making this nursing specialty the highest paid of all APRNs. Furthermore, it is expected to grow by 16%. CRNAs work in hospitals, surgical centers, and specialty doctor’s offices. They mainly assist with anesthesia during surgeries, so before you decide to pursue this specialty, you should ask yourself if you would enjoy assisting patients to manage their pain before, during, and after surgeries or other treatments. To qualify for CRNA certification, you must complete a master’s degree – in addition to becoming an RN – and you must have one year of experience in an acute care setting.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Another high-paying specialty is family nurse practitioner (FNP). It is also expecting a 16% increase in jobs and boasts a median annual salary of $114,000. Over 65% of nurse practitioners are FNPs, which makes this specialty the most common APRN. FNPs work in doctor’s offices and hospice facilities. They are trained in primary healthcare services and work with patients of all ages with a particular focus on preventive care. Responsibilities often include diagnosing and treating illnesses, performing physical exams, carrying out diagnostic testing, and prescribing medications. In order to work as an FNP, you will also need to complete a master’s degree, in addition to nursing school, and complete 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
If you are interested in mental health, this specialty would be an excellent fit for you – not to mention the $119,000 per year and the 31% estimated increase in jobs. These nurses work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and psychiatric facilities; they assess, diagnose, and treat patients with mental disorders, such as mood disorders, phobias, depression, or dementia, as well as addictions. Responsibilities include administering medication, crisis intervention, mental health assessment, and patient assistance. This specialty also requires RNs to obtain a master’s degree and then a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification.
Nurse Practitioner
Objectively speaking, a nurse practitioner specialty is an excellent choice since jobs are projected to grow by 31% and the median annual salary is $103,880. These specialists work in hospitals and doctor’s offices and serve as both primary and specialty care providers. Aside from offering advanced nursing services, these nurses also perform physical examinations, order testing, and prescribe medications. Nurse practitioners also need master’s degrees, in addition to being RNs, and might need certifications depending on the specialty of care.
How to Obtain the Required Experience
As you can see, many nursing specialties require a certain number of hours working in specific settings. If you’d like to become a CRNA for example, you’ll need experience in an acute care setting. This might seem difficult if you currently work in a nursing home or another long-term care setting. If you are in a similar situation, doing PRN or per diem work would be an excellent way to get the experience you need to transition into a higher-paying nursing position. Visit Nursa™ to learn more about PRN work and even pick up a per diem shift today!
