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.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Most new grads make the same anywhere. Experience gets you the money. The more advanced positions almost always require experience. I've capped out my salary by staying put in one hospital, a medium sized one where I can transfer around and do different things. By not job hopping I'm making as much as per diem nurses and some agency.

I agree though, nothing wrong with looking to the future. But as an entry level nurse you're not going to make top dollar right away.

Good luck!

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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:

Obviously people go to school to get better salaries. I was just saying that it seemed like thats all she cared about. I myself decided not to be a baby machine so I can't relate to whole supporting the family thing.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Please note that the original poster is not asking whether money matters in life or not, but was asking a question about nursing positions. Let's please stay on that topic.

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I am not sure if i m in topic since I just jumped form place to place but I did read in the NP forum of a CRNA who was actually going back to school for ANP b/c she was not happy in her job. She or He did mentioned how she missed talking to pt and all she had were the workers and surgeon who were in the OR. I don't know if that is what I want do you??? Good luck with your serch I too don't know what to do once I become a nurse.;)

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Specializes in Ortho/Neuro.
Im just wondering for the new grad rn. Or an RN with some experience but not NP or NA.

In my experience, I think that the hospitals usually have a scale that has a new grad with no experience (as a CNA or anything else) starting at the very bottom "base" pay and a grid or something that takes into account their experience as a RN and then other medical support, such as a CNA, and that boosts their pay up. I didn't get anywhere when I tried negotiating my starting salary. The HR person said that there was a scale and I am making the most that she's seen a new grad start at in awhile. I had 5 years experience as a CNA in that hospital. As for units, we don't have any differential for the ICU or anything else. You can boost your pay by working the night shift, that is 15% differential in my hospital and volunteering to work holidays. Good Luck!

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agency nursing pays well

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yes money matters and it matters greatly. if it didn't we (people in the workforce) would be volunteers.

when selecting a home? does money matter?

when qualifying for a loan, does money matter?

when paying for your child's education, does money matter?

it's so degrading to the workforce to say that money doesn't matter. it's a huge part of the economic system.

you are getting paid for an exchange of your time and expertise, why not get the most possible?

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exactly.

the whole fancy dancy romanticized notion of doing what you love is all good n well, but you are exchanging time/expertise for money and my time/expertise isn't inexpensive.

i don't believe in the doing what you love in regards to work because that's why i have several hobbies, they fullfill that variable.

most definitely money $$$ matters, ("money on my mind money on my mind that is all i think of") i did not go into nursing for fun, people have to make a living and to have a good life you must have $$$$
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she may be a single mother but there are those who are not and still want the most for their time. why not? :uhoh3:

obviously people go to school to get better salaries. i was just saying that it seemed like thats all she cared about. i myself decided not to be a baby machine so i can't relate to whole supporting the family thing.
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Specializes in MedSurg/Tele.

Thanks for all the info you guys! Thanks for backin me up. Im really not trying to seem like Im money hungry but money is what puts my childrens food on the table. Money is buying the healthier food than just unhealthy cheap food. Money is being able to afford that organic milk(that I like to give my kids but too expensive) Anyways, Im just trying to see what area would be smartest to start with money wise,being I have no preference at the moment. Thank you all.

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All areas pay about the same, but it does help to think about what you want to do. For instance if you do want to be a CRNA one day it would be good for you to start in the ICU b/c to be a CRNA you need ICU experience. I posted a link earlier in the thread and you can compare the salary in your area for all staff nurses. Ex. Staff Nurse - Operating Room, Staff Nurse - ICU etc.... Good luck.

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she may be a single mother but there are those who are not and still want the most for their time. why not? :uhoh3:

right on. i'm a single person with no children, and realize it's hard feeding/housing/insuring my own gosh darn self! the op should be commended for wanting to make the most of her education and making sure her kids are fed. nurses are valuable.

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