Top paid specialty

PhantomRN · Nov 12, 2001

in most hospitals whether one is a med/surg, ob or icu nurse makes little difference, we all get paid the same. however, if you want to know where the need is in nursing it is icu, or and the er's.

i would suggest picking an area you think you would be interested in not the area with money as one will quickly learn money is not everything.

psnurse · Nov 12, 2001

I agree, the greatest need seems to be in ICU, ER, and OR.

In the places where I have worked, ICU, ER, and tele get more money too.

huckfinn · Nov 12, 2001

In our institution, specialty has no bearing on pay. If you plan on traveling and hospital assignments, I tend to agree with the other posters. Traveling gets you more cash period! This only addresses the cash issue and makes no consideration of lifestyle and quality of life issues. Again I agree and many others will too....THERE IS MUCH MORE TO LIFE THAN MONEY!

Peeps Mcarthur · Nov 12, 2001

Continue on for your BSN, if not MSN.

The TOP of the heap is in administration.

The top pay.

The best days and hours.

They get lunches and bathroom breaks, and if they don't they have SOME power to change it.

If you are talking about self respect though, and making a differrence in the world, then you are referring to a floor nurse in any unit, in any health facility, in any capacity because they are all virtually the same.

The way to the top is administration, but that's not really being a nurse. If you want to be a top nurse, then you already are.

adnstudent · Nov 12, 2001

What about with a Master's....My options are nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, physician's assistant (I'm not sure if I'm correct on that one), and what else. What are my options and how do they rank pay wise??

NurseDennie, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2001

Hi adn student -

I think of the nurse specialties, the nurse-anesthetist is right up there. PA's are not nurses per se, but they also make a lot of money. The MSN nurses who have their own practice do well, too.

As far as nursing into administration, I don't know about that. For one thing, hospital adminsitration is dog eat DOG nasty and I think you have to get pretty high up to get a decent salary. When you get up that high, then the board of directors wants a MD/MBA combination. Ick.

Love

Dennie

Q. · Nov 12, 2001

An MSN you could also be a nurse educator - or perhaps be a nursing school instructor. Get on staff at some college and continue on for your PhD and be a professor.

shyviolet78, LPN, LVN · Nov 12, 2001

In my area (Dallas, TX), the top paid are:

1. CRNA - minimum $42.04/hr regular staff, $70.00/hr prn

2. Nurse Midwife - minimum $31.40/hr

3. Nurse Practitioner - minimum $27.33/hr

OneChattyNurse · Nov 12, 2001

I don't think I could put it any better than Peeps!!!

KC CHICK · Nov 12, 2001

I agree w/the others...some of the most needy specialty areas of nursing right now are ICU, OR, and ER. Hospitals can offer some big bonuses to fill empty slots.

As far as the highest paid.....CRNA all the way! I believe some can start at around $100,000.00/year. Depends on the region, though. :)

nightingale, RN · Nov 12, 2001

Follow your heart... or your calling and the money will come... even with floor nursing and getting into one of the specialties mentioned (ICU, OR, ER) you could make lots of money "doing agency"... The Agency does pay extra for these specialties... I have heard that California pays oodles....

It is more important to follow your heart... be the best Nurse you can be.... love your patients and treat them as you would your own family..... and the money will come....

:) :) :)