#10: Neonatal Nurse, Average Salary: $74,000
Neonatal Nurses care for sick and/or premature newborn babies. They also provide consultation to the newborn’s family during what can be an emotionally draining period.
#9: Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Average Annual Salary: $75,000
Gerontological Nurse Practitioners (GNPs) hold advanced degrees specializing in geriatrics. They are able to diagnose and manage their patients’ often long-term and debilitating conditions and provide regular assessments to patients’ family members. Similar to all geriatrics nurses, GNPs must approach nursing holistically and pay special attention to maintaining a comforting bedside manner for their elderly patients.
#8: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Average Salary: $76,000
Clinical Nurse Specialists develop uniform standards for quality care and work with staff nurses to ensure that those standards are being met. They are required to possess strong managerial skills and an ability to anticipate potential staff/patient conflicts.
#7: Nurse Practitioner, Average Salary: $78,000
Nurse practitioners provide basic preventive health care to patients, and increasingly serve as primary and specialty care providers in mainly medically underserved areas. The most common areas of specialty for nurse practitioners are family practice, adult practice, women’s health, pediatrics, acute care, and gerontology; however, there are many other specialties. In most States, advanced practice nurses can prescribe medications.
#6: Orthopedic Nurse, Average Salary: $81,000
Orthopedic Nurses provide care for patients suffering for musculoskeletal ailments, such as arthritis, joint replacement, and diabetes. They are responsible for educating patients on these disorders and on available self care and support systems.
#5: Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse, Average Salary: $81,000
Pediatric Endocrinology Nurses provide care to young children who are suffering from diseases and disorders of the endocrine system. This often involves educating both parents and children on the the physical and sexual development issues that arise from these disorders.
#4: Certified Nurse Midwife, Average Salary $84,000
Nurse midwives provide primary care to women, including gynecological exams, family planning advice, prenatal care, assistance in labor and delivery, and neonatal care. CNMs work in hospitals, clinics, health departments, homes and private practices. Midwives will often have to work unpredictable hours (due to the unpredictable nature of childbirth). They should have good communications skills should be willing to commit to a holistic approach to patient care.
#3: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Average Salary: $95,000
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice nurses who provide care and consultation to patients suffering from psychiatric and mental health disorders.
#2: Nurse Researcher, Average Salary: $95,000
Nurse Researchers work as analysts for private companies or health policy nonprofits. They publish research studies based on data collected on specific pharmaceutical/medical/nursing product and practices.
#1: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Average Salary: $135,000
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist administers anesthesia to patients. They collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists and podiatrists to safely administer anesthesia medications.
Get expert answers on nurse specialties, how to deal with any kind of patient, how to handle tough co-workers, and how to navigate your life as a nurse! (Nothing is taboo here…go ahead and ask us!)
