Nurses serve as the front-line healthcare warriors in providing quality care to patients. From treating mental health, assisting in emergencies, and helping old-age people, a nursing career is full of compassion. Individuals keen on helping different people and positively impacting their lives must pursue a nursing career.
No wonder there is a wide range of career paths in nursing with different prerequisites, training, and job pay. However, one must consider a field that interests them the most and then look for specialization. The more the level of education, the more chances of getting a lucrative job. Read on below to know the most high-paying jobs in the nursing field:
- Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) provide high-quality care to patients because of their advanced education and training. These professionals can work in various medical settings, including hospitals, private clinics, outpatient care, urgent care clinics, etc.
Nurse practitioners can further specialize in different fields of interest such as pediatric, adult-gerontology, women's health, oncology, cardiac, and many others. They can provide the same level of care as the primary physician. These professionals usually possess strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Some of the typical job duties of nurse practitioners are:
- Observe and record patient's physical health
- Order and assess diagnostic tests and prescribe medicines
- Educate patients and the overall community on how to prevent disease and stay healthy
- Work together with other health professionals to create the treatment plan for the patient
Becoming a nurse practitioner is not an easy road. Individuals must obtain a master's degree in nursing and acquire a state license to practice as an NP. However, suppose any individual wants to advance in their career and become a leader. In that case, they must earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
Acquiring a DNP degree can improve leadership skills and enhance the ability to take care of the patient. Professionals struggling to take on-campus classes can go for online dnp programs to provide flexibility without compromising education quality.
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is one of the most highest-paid career paths in nursing. CRNA professionals pay attention to their patients from the start of their treatment till they fully recover. They prepare and administer anesthesia under the supervision of surgeons, dentists, or other healthcare professionals. CRNA can find employment in various settings, including hospitals, dental offices, public health centers, surgical centers, and many other health treatment centers. Their day-to-day responsibilities include:
- Monitors patient's vitals before and after the completion of the surgery
- Identify and respond to emergencies by airway management or cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Prepare operation theatre with all the necessary supplies and equipment
Individuals must obtain a master's degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program and a state license to practice as CRNA.
- Nurse Midwife
What more can be rewarding than this career? No one can deny the fact that the process of giving birth is overwhelming. These nurses hold a unique tier with their patients as they remain with them through the thick and thin of pregnancy. Nurse-midwives need to take on-spot decisions and effective measures to save both mother and infant lives. Their everyday tasks include:
- Assess the conditions and conduct diagnostic tests
- Educate patients about new parental responsibilities
- Mentally prepare females for their delivery process
To become eligible for this position, students need to enroll in an accredited midwifery program to obtain certification. Since women require extra care and attention during their labor days, these professionals' demand is very high.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
Clinical nurse specialists are the ones that take the lead of the nursing department in the healthcare systems. They supervise the registered nurses and work continually to ensure the quality of nursing services. These nurses are also responsible for carrying out research, providing training, educating fellow nurses, and overseeing administration tasks. Their work environment includes hospitals, physician's offices, clinics, private and nursing centers. The job responsibilities of these experts are:
- Create policies and regulations for the nursing sector
- Manage resources and medical equipment
- Evaluate patient conditions and recommend treatment plans
Before applying for clinical nurse specialist (CNS) certification, registered nurses must gain a few years of experience and earn an MSN degree. It depends on these professionals to decide which field they would like to complete their specialization. Some of these fields may include cardiovascular, pediatrics, public health, and mental health.
- Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
Since the aging baby boomer population is increasing, so is the demand for geriatric nurses. Individuals who wish to provide older people with the optimum care can settle for a geriatric nurse practitioner role. These nurses have a special attachment with the older ones.
Thus, they do everything in their capacity to let the younger people enjoy the company of their elders. Geriatric nurses are responsible for looking after older people's health needs, preparing everyday plans to fight diseases, and educating patients about safe health practices.
They work alongside physicians, therapists, pharmacists, and even social workers. However, the nature of their job demands them to go and visit the houses to serve home-based patients. Some of the typical job responsibilities include:
- Educate patients and their families about medical problems
- Provide assistance, psychological support, and counseling to patients
- Suggest alternations in medical treatment and help with physical therapy
Students first need to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing to qualify for the registered nurse role (RN). On successful completion, they must acquire a master's degree to advance further in their career and become an advanced nurse practitioner. Only then can these students specialize in the field of geriatrics.
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric nurse practitioners are responsible for dealing with patient's mental health and behavioral issues. These nurses help the patient overcome their mental problems and make a significant difference in their lives.
They must have excellent problem-solving and analytical skills to understand patients' conditions properly and find perfect solutions to help them cope with their situations. The typical job responsibilities of psychiatric nurse practitioners are:
- Record patient history and medical record
- Recommend or order diagnostic and laboratory test and assess them
- Collaborate with other health professionals and develop a treatment plan for patients
Individuals who want to become psychiatric nurse practitioners must earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and state licensure.
Conclusion
No matter which career path an individual selects, one crucial point to note is that each of these requires a higher education. A BSN and MSN degree, in some cases, even a doctorate, is a must to become a part of lucrative careers.
However, students must join the nursing sector if they are passionate and willing to dedicate their time. Opting for this field only for the sake of high-paying jobs would do no good to the individuals as well as patients.
