Lowest stress (still great pay) nursing specialties?

Hello all,

This is my first post here so bear with me. I am a current RN student and while my main focus right now is finishing the program I am nevertheless interested in finding out more about different specialties from nurses who have been there.

I have yet to decide on a nursing specialty for sure. To be honest money is a big motivator for me..but a post I read from forum member THE COMMUTER really struck me as exaclty how I feel. It stated id rather love my personal life and tolerate my job than tolerate my life and love my job. By this I mean im never going to enjoy work, I mostly enjoy traveling, exploring , cars..etc..(hence money motivated).

So begs the question...what nursing specialty out of the seemingly hundreds...would be very low stress on a daily basis and very good pay ( even if masters level as I have considered the NP route after RN school).

Any suggestions? ( I know im kinda asking for the best of both worlds here but im looking for things closest to what I seek). Thanks in advance everyone.

[Aliens05, ASN]

Thx Commuter for the reply. May I ask what your job is? As a nurse what do you do for the insurance company and how would u get hired by an insurance company as a nurse and be able to work from home? Is this a very rare job or are there a good amount of these positions out there?

[Aliens05, ASN]

Thx kel..do u mind mentioning what ur position is?

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Luv2baRNurse said:

First, let's be realistic. If you are a new nurse right out of school with no experience, you probably will not be in a position to demand high pay. I live in a small town with 3 prominent hospitals and on average a brand new ER nurse commands $25-26/hr (I live in Texas); other specialties may pay more. If you're already thinking about higher pay and less stress, then are you in nursing for the right reason? Naursing [sic] is a calling, not just a job. Critical care areas such as labor & delivery, NICU, ER, ICU, Telemetry, CCU pay more, but are stressful, require skill, experience and knowledge. You'll have to earn it! Hospice, home health, rehab, prison, school nursing, office or clinic nursing, are less stressful, but not necessarily more money. You may try working in occupational health, an immunization clinic, an insurance office for a less stressful job. But if you're commanding the higher pay jobs, then get ready to work for the higher pay. Your pay will also be determined by how you decide to work: M-F 8-5; 12 hours shifts days or nights because of shift differentials and weekend differentials. Travel nursing pays well, but will require experience. Find a good preceptor program in something you think you'll enjoy (perhaps a favorite part of clinical) and gain some experience. After a year or two of experience, you can apply for travel nursing jobs, make great money, and do what you enjoy (traveling, exploring) to have the best of both worlds.

Just. No.

A thousand times no.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

blondy2061h said:

I feel like you're setting yourself up for a negative self fulfilling prophecy if before you even start you're expecting not to be able to love your job and your personal life. Like it or not, if you work full time you're going to spend nearly a third of your life at work. Low stress jobs can tend to be dull jobs. My job isn't low stress, but I work with a great group of people and get some fantastic stories out of it. You might as well aim for more than tolerable.

Love this!!!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Luv2baRNurse said:

First, let's be realistic. If you are a new nurse right out of school with no experience, you probably will not be in a position to demand high pay. I live in a small town with 3 prominent hospitals and on average a brand new ER nurse commands $25-26/hr (I live in Texas); other specialties may pay more. If you're already thinking about higher pay and less stress, then are you in nursing for the right reason? Nursing is a calling, not just a job. Critical care areas such as labor & delivery, NICU, ER, ICU, Telemetry, CCU pay more, but are stressful, require skill, experience and knowledge. You'll have to earn it! Hospice, home health, rehab, prison, school nursing, office or clinic nursing, are less stressful, but not necessarily more money. You may try working in occupational health, an immunization clinic, an insurance office for a less stressful job. But if you're commanding the higher pay jobs, then get ready to work for the higher pay. Your pay will also be determined by how you decide to work: M-F 8-5; 12 hours shifts days or nights because of shift differentials and weekend differentials. Travel nursing pays well, but will require experience. Find a good preceptor program in something you think you'll enjoy (perhaps a favorite part of clinical) and gain some experience. After a year or two of experience, you can apply for travel nursing jobs, make great money, and do what you enjoy (traveling, exploring) to have the best of both worlds.

While you are perfectly correct about a new grad not being in a position to demand high pay, I'd take issue with the "nursing is a calling" comment. Nursing is a job, a career and for some folks a passion. It is NOT a calling.

[Aliens05, ASN]

What is text speak, sorry if its something obvious, but ive never heard that term before...are you meaning like the thx for thanks type of deal?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

TheCommuter said:

For me, nursing is a job and a means to an end. It was never a childhood dream or higher calling. Rather, it is a practical way to earn a living.

I find it curious that no one really expects pharmacists, speech language pathologists, physicians in lucrative specialties, physical therapists, hospital dietitians, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals to arrive at the table with that intangible calling.

Let's assume your employer abruptly announced that you'd no longer receive pay for the services you render after today. However, the employer also announced that "compassion will provide a place for you to live and caring will result in food on your table." Would you continue to report to work day after day, year after year without monetary compensation?

I sure as heck wouldn't. If an employer could no longer pay me, I would refuse to provide even one minute of my labor to that entity. Again, I was not called to this profession. Nursing is an avenue to a decent livelihood.

I'd really appreciate a "Like a dozen times" button.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Aliens05 said:

What is text speak, sorry if its something obvious, but ive never heard that term before...are you meaning like the thx for thanks type of deal?

When you are posting on a professional forum to people with experience in their field, you are posting to professionals. It is considered rude not to make an effort to communicate clearly and professionally. That means typing out "thank you" or "you", using proper grammar and punctuation, capitalizing appropriately, etc. Not only is it more respectful, but it is good practice. One day, you will need to communicate clearly, concisely and professionally both verbally and in writing. It makes sense to start now.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

Being happy in your career and being happy in your personal life aren't mutually exclusive.

[CaffeinePOQ4HPRN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

Been there,done that said:

WOW. Still a student and asking for the highest paid, lowest stress job. Perhaps you should obtain your licensure and work in a few areas while you figure that out.

WOW.

I found the OP's post to be more hilarious than anything. I'm dying from laughter over here, I'm dead. Poor thing, OP is just reachin' for a unicron you guys...Bahahahhaha! This meme came to mind:

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

CaffeinePOQ4HPRN said:

I found the OP's post to be more hilarious than anything. I'm dying from laughter over here, I'm dead. Poor thing, OP is just reachin' for a unicron you guys...Bahahahhaha! This meme came to mind

I have a great sense of humor, I could not have made it 35 years in nursing without it.

You found it hilarious, I did not. I was ticked that a student came onto the forum, trying to pick our brains about the easy road.

[Aliens05, ASN]

Guess i dont remember asking for any opinions on an easy job...low stress doesnt mean easy....your job could be the most physically demanding job in the entire world..but if you are strong and know what you are doing its gonna be low stress because you are not worried or freaking out...you know what it is...you know what to expect ..say for example a person who does roofing....being in the heat all day working a physically demanding job isnt easy at all..but the guys ive talked to dont think its stressful at all because they all know exaclty what they are doing.

It was my first post. Can i get a pass?