Highest paid nursing field?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi, I am still a student and was wondering what the highest paid nursing area is. Like my friend says that Dialysis is one of the highest. Anyone have an idea. I'm just lost on what area to start at. Thanks.

do what u feel like doing and money follows you wether anaesthesia icu or OR

I didn't mean to come off harsh, you just seemed to have a one track mind. I wish you the best.

To the OP: don't let anyone make you feel ashamed or like you are doing something wrong for wanting to know about salaries. I'd be willing to bet these people aren't working for free, I'd also be willing to bet they are trying to get the most out of their salary they can.

Yes, when you are a single mother or sole wage earner in your family money does matter, especially when you work in such a filthy business as nursing. That being said, I have chosen a lower paying job with less stress than a higher paying job that was so stressful it made me physically sick. If you can swing that high stress job you deserve to make the money that goes with it. Never feel guilty about that.

Specializes in Psychiatric & Critical Care.
To the OP: don't let anyone make you feel ashamed or like you are doing something wrong for wanting to know about salaries. I'd be willing to bet these people aren't working for free, I'd also be willing to bet they are trying to get the most out of their salary they can.

Yes, when you are a single mother or sole wage earner in your family money does matter, especially when you work in such a filthy business as nursing. That being said, I have chosen a lower paying job with less stress than a higher paying job that was so stressful it made me physically sick. If you can swing that high stress job you deserve to make the money that goes with it. Never feel guilty about that.

Amen to that. Obviously if no one here were thinking about pay and doing what we loved, we'd all be working with the peace corps and saving children in Africa or something to that extent but for some people that is unrealistic. Some of us have families to support and are willing to do the best job that we can for the best pay that we can find. The op asked about nursing salaries and not about finding her bliss so could we please stop with all of the platitudes.:uhoh3:

I didn't mean to come off harsh, you just seemed to have a one track mind. I wish you the best.

One track mind? She asked a specific question.

Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

Of course money matters! It matters a great deal! Anyone who doesnt think so is selling themselves short of the highly trained professional they are and we should seek out the most competitive wages for ourselfs because we are worth it. And yes you have to like what you are doing but that doesnt mean I wouldnt leave a nice job for a better paying job, of course i would!

Specializes in 27 yrs in long term care, 5 yrs office.

It may depend on your area as I don't think reasearch pays great in this particular area, but I have heard nurse anesthetist is the highest paid nurse. I agree with the comment about the stress however, no money is worth it.

good luck

Specializes in Float.

I took it that the OP has no idea what area of nursing she'd like to pursue. Being a single mom she'd like to look into the highest paid areas first and see if those seem interesting to her.

I had many areas I was interested in. If one paid more that may have been a push to pursue that one area. I ended up in cardiac mainly because that is where I interned and I was comfortable with the floor/staff. Had I decided to say pursue OB and interned there I probably would have pursued that. Had I been put in OR and enjoyed it I probably would have stayed there. The OP would like to check out a higher paying area FIRST to see if that may be her passion.

the money really comes with years of service. The experienced nurses on my unit make 2x what I do! BSN, certification, ACLS, furthering your IV skills (PICC, etc) all get you a little more money (depending on where you live and what you bfacility compensates you for.) Find out what you need to do in the area you choose to maximize your income.

But, the important thing is to choose an area of nursing you are passionate about!

I also agree that money matters. It may not be the most important consideration for some people; however, making ends meet is very high on my to do list. No shame in researching and finding out where you can make the most money.

Specializes in trauma ICU,TNCC, NRP, PALS, ACLS.

Most definitely money $$$ matters, (“Money on my mind Money on my mind that is all I think of”) I did not go into nursing for fun, people have to make a living and to have a good life you must have $$$$

Most definitely money $$$ matters, ("Money on my mind Money on my mind that is all I think of") I did not go into nursing for fun, people have to make a living and to have a good life you must have $$$$

LOL lil wayne

Nothing wrong with researching the return on your investment. Some might call it... gasp!... the SMART thing to do. CRNA seems to be the highest paid, RN's in my area seem to do well in managment of hospital units with more money fo specialty certs. The lower paid jobs seem to be clinics, school nursing and LTC to some degree.

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