Nursing is one of the most rewarding career paths you can choose. It not only offers job security and stability, but it also creates an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives on a daily basis. And if that wasn’t enough incentive for aspiring nurses – it may come as a surprise that for those willing to put in the hard work, some positions within the field even offer attractive salaries and wages.
If you are considering accelerated nursing programs in Pennsylvania and want to become licensed as a nurse practitioner, here’s what you should know about the highest-paying nursing careers for 2023.
- Family Nurse Practitioner:
Family Nurse Practitioners specialize in providing top-notch healthcare to individuals and families of all ages. They’ve amazing skills when it comes to diagnosing and treating everyday illnesses, managing those pesky chronic conditions, analyzing diagnostic tests like nobody’s business, prescribing medications, and even dishing out some preventive care.
FNPs are all about collaboration, teaming up with doctors and other healthcare pros to deliver next-level, patient-centered care. They can hold it down in primary care hotspots like clinics, community health centers, and private practices. They’re all about promoting health and preventing diseases.
So, if you’re looking to dive into a career that’s all about making a real impact and taking charge of people’s health, becoming an FNP might just be your calling. It is one of the highest paying nursing careers. According to the BLS, job opportunities for nurse practitioners are expected to increase by 46% between 2021 and 2031.
- Chief Nursing Officer:
As Chief Nursing Officers (CNO), it’s their prime responsibility to ensure the holistic delivery of high-quality patient care by nurses and other nursing staff members. Apart from steering the ship on a daily basis, they hold the reins when it comes to budget development, staffing choices, and handling various administrative affairs.
Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) play a pivotal role in the seamless operation of numerous healthcare organizations. Consequently, their career paths offer a plethora of opportunities spanning various healthcare settings. These esteemed professionals can be found in acute care settings, long-term care facilities, home care agencies, and occasionally educational institutions.
- Nurse Anesthetist:
Nurse Anesthetists are experts in the field of anesthesia. They provide safe and effective care to patients undergoing various surgical procedures, ensuring they remain comfortable at all times. These professionals also administer anesthesia and monitor vital signs throughout surgery.
Additionally, nurse anesthetists take on a variety of roles in the operating room. Not only do they assess and monitor patients pre and post-operatively, but they also work closely with physicians to develop anesthesia plans for each individual patient.
- Travel Nurse:
Travel Nurses know how to live that nomadic lifestyle and adapt to different healthcare settings like pros. And guess what? Their ability to be flexible and go where the demand is high often means they score some seriously impressive pay rates.
The compensation for Travel Nurses can vary based on factors like how long the assignment lasts, the cost of living in the location, and their specific nursing specialty. But Travel Nurses usually get some sweet pay packages that go beyond just the base salary.
However, the high pay is just one of the perks of being a Travel Nurse. These nursing explorers also get to immerse themselves in new cities, cultures, and healthcare systems. Talk about broadening horizons!
- Nurse Administrator:
Nurse administrators are in charge of leading, just like nurse executives and nurse managers. They’re responsible for ensuring nursing departments run well and deliver top-notch patient care. They’re all about strategic planning, policy development, and allocating resources wisely. They collaborate with teams from different disciplines, guide nursing staff, and create a culture of excellence in patient care.
When it comes to the money, Nurse Administrators often bring in some serious dough. Their salaries reflect the level of responsibility they carry and their expertise in the field. The exact pay can vary based on factors like the size and reputation of the healthcare organization, their years of experience, and even the location. Nurse Administrators usually score competitive pay packages that might include bonuses, incentives, and comprehensive benefits. Nurse administrators work at least 40 hours per week and earn an hourly wage of about $48.72.
- Nurse Educator:
These passionate individuals are all about combining their clinical expertise with a love for teaching and mentoring. They’re the ones who shape the next generation of nurses by providing education and training in academic institutions, healthcare settings, and professional development programs.
Additionally, nurse educators have the incredible opportunity to make a lasting impact on the nursing profession. They get to develop and deliver educational programs, create engaging curricula, and provide hands-on learning experiences for their students. By sharing their knowledge and expertise, Nurse Educators empower future nurses with the skills and know-how to deliver excellent patient care.
- Oncology Nurse Practitioner:
Oncology Nurse Practitioners specialize in providing comprehensive care to patients suffering from cancer. They collaborate with physicians, other healthcare professionals, and support staff to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient. From administering chemotherapy medications and helping them manage their pain to being an all-around source of strength, they can rely on – Oncology NPs as the real MVPs.
These incredible healthcare professionals get to build strong relationships with their patients, provide a listening ear during moments of distress, and offer much-needed support throughout the entire cancer journey.
Oncology Nurse Practitioners usually earn salaries that reflect their level of responsibility and clinical expertise. The average salary for an oncology nurse practitioner is $145,117, according to data from Glassdoor in 2023.
Conclusion:
The healthcare industry is one of the most important and influential industries in the world. Nurses are essential to the medical field, and as such, it makes sense that becoming a nurse is an attractive career choice. But beyond just entering the profession of nursing, choosing a specialty will likely lead to bigger and better rewards as the years continue.
Looking at this list of the highest-paying nursing jobs for 2023 gives us an idea of what is possible and may even inspire some readers to explore certain nursing opportunities that they hadn’t considered before.
