7 In-Demand Nursing Careers That Offer High Salaries
If you are looking to join nursing, right now during the pandemics might be a perfect time. Here are the most in-demand nursing careers.
The nursing field has been evolving at an exceptional rate over the past couple of years. One reason behind this upward increase is the growing demand for nurses in nearly all healthcare sectors.
There are several reasons to become a nurse; the guarantee of an in-demand career or the financial stability because of the reasonably good pay.
Some nurses might enter the field to help others and make a difference. Some might join nursing because of the professional development the area promises or the quality training options.
Irrespective of the reason, it is essential to know that becoming a nurse is no child’s play. It requires constant effort, hard work, and commitment.
Nurses go through many dilemmas in their careers, but none overshadow the difficulty of deciding on a specialization. Another benefit of pursuing nursing is the broad field.
You have to keep in mind many factors when picking a domain in nursing, as its level of flexibility and salaries vary.
The Most In-Demand Nursing Careers
To make your decision easier, we have combined a list of the most in-demand nursing careers below.
1. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
A psychiatric nurse deals with patients suffering from mental or psychiatric disorders. They primarily work at mental health facilities.
A primary part of their job is to offer patients moral, mental, and therapeutic support to help them recover.
However, becoming a psychiatric nurse requires one to hone essential skills and develop the courage to help people recuperate from mental issues.
It is not an easy profession but one that is rapidly soaring to new heights. Besides, the earning potential is quite impressive with high job security.
Usually, a master’s degree from an accredited education program is necessary to work in this domain.
However, pursuing post masters nursing certificates can help you land a better position. Such certifications pave the way for nurses looking to advance to leadership roles with lucrative career prospects.
2. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
A certified nurse anesthetist is currently the most in-demand nursing career. These nurse anesthetists help assist doctors during medical procedures that require anesthesia.
They perform nerve blocks, epidurals and provide twilight sedation. They can also work in several settings, including hospitals, private centers, clinics, etc.
You need to earn at least a master’s degree to start practicing.
A nurse anesthetist is a remunerative but highly complex occupation that requires pretty advanced skills. It is also crucial to note that nurse anesthetists are at a greater risk of lawsuits because of the field’s complex nature.
Hence, you should only become a nurse anesthetist if you are entirely comfortable. On the other hand, it is a rewarding career with a high level of job satisfaction.
3. Pain-Management Nurse
As the name suggests, a pain-management nurse works with patients who suffer chronic or persistent pain. Pain-management nurses usually work in care centers, therapy stations, and hospitals.
They help reduce patients’ pain through several medications and other treatments. Some pain-management nurses also give therapy sessions to patients.
They also administer and monitor patients’ pain levels and help doctors in deciding diagnoses and treatments.
The minimum level of education required to become a pain-management nurse is a bachelor’s degree in nursing followed by a two-year work experience.
However, some positions can require a master’s degree or further certifications as well.
It is challenging but a rewarding field with excellent pay — estimates show that a pain-management nurse, on average, can earn about $103,321 annually.
4. Oncology Nurse Practitioner
An oncology Nurse Practitioner works directly with surgeons and physicians to assist and treat cancer patients. They also provide consultancy and guidance to patients and their families regarding possible treatment options.
Moreover, they conduct physical assessments, administer therapeutic measures, and write prescriptions.
It would help if you carried at least a master’s degree to qualify as an oncology nurse practitioner. Further, you will also need to acquire an oncology nursing certification to get your license.
An oncology nurse practitioner is a demanding, exacting, and stressful career, but a worthwhile one. You can make big bucks if you give it your total effort.
5. Clinical Nurse
A clinical nurse is probably the fastest growing nursing field at the moment. There is currently a massive demand for clinical nurses in the market.
Clinical nurses primarily practice in hospitals or clinics where they provide care to patients suffering from chronic diseases.
They also help patients with heart illnesses, cancer, and other recurring disorders. Some clinical nurses are also responsible for diagnosing and treating patients with disabilities or injuries.
In the US, an average clinical nurse earns about $35.53 an hour. However, your pay as a clinical nurse also depends on your level of education and qualifications.
A nurse with a master’s in nursing will earn more than a nurse with only a bachelor’s degree. Similarly, the more your work experience, the more you are likely to make.
6. Registered Nurse
A registered nurse is the most common nursing field. Registered nurses can work under a broad category of settings, including private clinics, hospitals, and even patients’ homes.
Registered nurses have several responsibilities on their shoulders. They have to ensure timely patient checkups, give them medication, monitor their health levels, and schedule medical procedures.
In short, they are professional caretakers to patients.
Typically, a registered nurse works for a 9-5 shift, five or six days a week. However, the hours also depend on when and where you are working. For instance, nurses working at private homes might be working 24/7.
Registered nurses can earn up to $73,550 per year. The minimum education required to become a registered nurse is a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
7. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
A neonatal nurse practitioner is the only distinct field in nursing that never goes out of demand.
Neonatal nurses work with newborn babies. They are responsible for looking after babies suffering from problems like congenital disabilities, infections, or prematurity.
Neonatal nurses usually look after infants who suffer from illnesses or issues right after birth. Still, some also care for infants until two years of age.
An associate degree is usually enough to qualify as a neonatal nurse. However, specific certifications can increase your chances of employment.
Neonatal nursing is a gratifying field with solid pay. Plus, if you like babies, it is a perfect fit for you.
Conclusion
Nursing is a growing field, and it is likely to continue to grow in the foreseeable future. People’s expectations and respect for nurses have also undergone a shift in the past couple of years.
The pandemic served as a reminder of their commendable role, and now more and more people are willing to join the field.
The need for nurses is also growing, proving it to be a practical career choice.
