If you’re a registered nurse, you know that the nursing field is full of potential career paths. But which one should you choose? That can be a difficult question to answer, especially if you’re looking for a high-paying career.
This article will take a look at six of the highest-paying nursing career paths for registered nurses.
So if you’re looking for a lucrative nursing career, or considering taking a FNP/ANCP program, be sure to check out these options!
Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has advanced training and education in a specific area of nursing practice. Nurse practitioners can provide primary and specialty care services, such as diagnosing and treating illnesses, ordering and interpreting lab tests, and prescribing medications. However, if you want to be a family nurse practitioner, specifically, you should make sure to have your RN to FNP program lined up if you want to pursue this career path. Good thing is that it is possible to find and finish online programs that don’t compromise your existing work career or your personal life.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a nurse practitioner is $110,930 per year.
Physician Assistant
A physician assistant is a healthcare professional who provides medical services under the supervision of a licensed physician. Physician assistants can perform many of the same duties as a doctor, such as taking medical histories and performing physical exams, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and counseling patients on their treatment options.
However, physician assistants are not licensed to perform surgery or prescribe medications. With the median salary for a physician assistant of $104,860 per year, this is still a great career path to consider if you’re looking for a high-paying nursing job.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
A certified registered nurse anesthetist is a nurse who has specialized training in administering anesthesia. CRNAs can work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, surgical centers, and pain management, closely with surgeons and other medical professionals.
If you want to become a CRNA, you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and at least one year of experience working as an RN in an acute care setting. You’ll also need to complete an accredited nurse anesthesia program and pass the national certification exam.
Also, you need to make sure you enroll in the right CRNA program so that you can be eligible to take the certification exam. The median salary for a certified registered nurse anesthetist is $174,790 per year, making it one of the highest-paying nursing careers available.
Nurse Educator
A nurse educator is a registered nurse who provides training and education to nurses and other health care professionals. Nurse educators typically work in hospitals, colleges, and universities, but they can also work in other settings, such as government agencies or private companies.
If you’re interested in this career path, you should consider getting a master’s degree in nursing education, or a Ph.D. if you’re interested in research.
The median salary for a nurse educator is $73,160 per year, which is maybe not the highest on this list, but you get to pass on your knowledge and help shape the future of nursing, which is pretty rewarding in itself.
Certified Nurse Midwife
A certified nurse-midwife is a registered nurse who has specialized training and education in caring for pregnant women and their babies. Certified nurse-midwives provide comprehensive prenatal, labor, and postpartum care, as well as gynecological care. They also provide primary care services for women of all ages, such as family planning and well-woman gynecological exams.
The median salary for a certified nurse-midwife is $103,770 per year. If you’re interested in this career path, you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and at least two years of experience working as an RN. You’ll also need to complete an accredited nurse-midwifery program and pass the national certification exam.
Healthcare Administrator
A healthcare administrator is a professional who oversees the daily operations of a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, clinic, or physician’s office. Healthcare administrators are responsible for ensuring that the facility runs smoothly and efficiently and that patients receive high-quality care. Think of it as a business, but for healthcare, which is great if you’re looking for a change or managing was another of your interests.
If you’re interested in this career path, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, although many employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree. The median salary for a healthcare administrator is $98,350 per year.
So if you’re a registered nurse looking for a high-paying career, be sure to check out these 6 options! The median salaries for most of these careers are well above the national average, and they all offer great growth opportunities. So whatever your nursing specialty may be, there’s a high-paying career path waiting for you.
