What field of Nursing as a RN is the "BEST BANG" for the Tuition Buck!?

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I asked this in another thread, but did not get a response to it, so I thought it would be better asked within its own thread ;)

I know that Nursing is not all about the money factor, but lets get real, we need to eat and we all like nice things/toys.

With that said, what is the best paying RN specialty field to get into? I am still in my pre-req stages at school, so I want to make sure I pick something that is not only fun, and challenging, but something that nets me the best bang for my financial aid buck! If I am going to go into debit, I want to get the best return from it;)

Eddie

Eddie

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That will largely depend on you gaining experience in it, your geographical area, the unknown future, and other things you can't control.

By the time everyone 'looking' for the golden egg get there... there won't be to much demand.

You might be better just find something you like - become proficient at it - and see what happens. ;) Along the way you might find a route that has financial benefits as well....

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Specializes in CRNA.

advanced practice

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Specializes in Home Health, Case Management, OR.

For me the best bang for the buck will be a job that I dont dread going to every day, and enjoy working with my pts and hopefully the staff and docs! A decent salary is also very important, but I put my job satisfaction before salary any day!

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:down:I am sorry if this come off as being a jerk, but I am not looking for the bleeding heart answers, "If your in it for the money then Health Care is not for you" kind of line. I picked the health care because that is what I want to do, but if I am going to do it, I want to know what specialty field for RNs pays over others. I mean, if I can't get a straight answer to such a simple question, here out of all places, then what is the point to even coming on!?

I know that "gaining experience in it, your geographical area, the unknown future, and other things" plays a factor, but I am not asking for answers to these questions.

I just simply want to know what specialty has then best return for the time you spend in school and the money you shell out for it.

I know that Anaesthesia RNs make the bucks, but I am talking about your Typical RNs. Is it OR, ICU, Emergency, Peds, hospice, Flight RN, Nuclear Med, or the like? I was told the Flight RNs, the ones that work with the Medevac, bank well and the Nurses in Nuclear Med brings in a good pay day too, but I can't find any salary info. I just would like to see a list of the different Nursing fields and their respective pay grades.

I don't want to get out of school and hear someone tell me "oh you should have done this *insert whatever* you would have made more than a *whatever* RN". Yeah I am about money, but I also want to go into the health care because I like it. Is there a problem with that!?

Again, I don't mean to come off as an ass, but these "don't be a RN or don't be in health care for the money do it because you like it" replies are getting old every time I see someone even mention money and "how much will I" all in the same paragraph!:down:

Eddie

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Specializes in Operating Room.

In many hospitals, like mine, if you work in a specialty, you do not get any extra pay. Our pay scale goes by steps(longevity/experience) and a floor nurse will make the same as an OR nurse, ICU nurse, ER nurse. etc.

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

The only thing I know about pay is hospital > clinic (though I think these days mostly MA's do the clinic role instead of Rn's it seems). I am not aware of the difference between specialities.

Here are a few articles I found:

http://www.nursinglink.com/benefits/articles/2626-top-ten-highest-paying-nursing-specialties

http://www.nurseuniverse.com/articles/Salary_Outlook.htm

http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/salaries.php

Best of luck!

Tait

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Some info I can live with :p

Thanks guys for the input!

Eddie

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Anesthesia is a field that pays RNs tremendously well. The typical CRNA (nurse anesthetist) is earning over $100,000 yearly before taxes.

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Specializes in LTC, Dementia/Alzheimer's.

Travel Nursing pays the best. I had a friend (RRT) that saved up $200,000 in 4 years of traveling.. And RN's make WAAAAAY more than RRT's when they travel.

Also I heard Dialysis Nursing pays well.

CRNA is the highest paying nurse job, but that's a step or two beyond just RN..

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Yeah the Anesthesia Nurse I think in a league of its own. I am sure that if you listed all the Special Nursing fields with their salary's, there is prob a nice increase as you go down the list, then BOOM a $200K jump and you have your Anesthesia Nurse and pay grade, lol.

As for the Traveling Nurse, yeah I know you will deff make more in your respective field if you travel vs staying home. That is one BIG reason I like the idea of getting my RN; you can work as an Ex-Pat over seas as a RN. It seems that Germany and Australia like the American RNs there, I just hope Japan does to, lol, I want to live in Japan so badly!!!

I would LOVE to do Anesthesia, but since I am 37 and just starting back in school (I am still in my Pre-Reqs) I don't think I wouldhave enough time. By the time I got my degree, I would be ready for retirement , lol. At least from what it sounds like, with the schooling and real world experience you would need.

Eddie

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If you are looking for good money, consider CRNA, but you know about that already.

In the "old days", going to work in Saudi Arabia also was a route to good pay. I'm not sure how popular that is anymore.

For the staff RNs pay comes with seniority no mater what the specialty.

Staff nurses maximize their pay by taking a second per diem job that pays a higer rate, working overtime at their current job, working nights and weekends and holidays that pay a higher wage.

I used to work with one guy who worked 5 12's a week, every week.

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