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;)
: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!?
Eddie
Got some bad news for you, buddy. If you are this easily bothered and irritable, then healthcare/nursing ain't for you. No amount of money is going to make it worth it for you to jump through the infinite amount of hoops that entail getting into those speciality jobs (that...SURPRISE...everyone else wants too).
Just saying. You've got a bad attitude, and you might as well just take it to law school and get it over with now.
Agree anesthesia is the "highest paid." Have been around for more than a few years now and staff nurses are paid the same in the hospital whether they work med-surg, OR, ICU, ER, etc.. Other options (which someone already mentioned) is travel nurse. However, you need a couple of years of experience to do that. I'm an advanced practice nurse and while I make excellent money, I do work for it and have lots of responsibility.
I work a baylor posistion, get paid 36 hours for working 24. I also have a part time PRN job with no benifits (I get those from my baylor job) where I make almost double what my base rate is for my baylor.
In my location there is no extra pay for speciality--I make just as much in the ICU as the nurse working at the hosp owned nursing home.
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.
Just a bit of info...there are two types of travelling nurses...
The first is one who travels to other places because they want to work in them--other cities and countries.
The second works for an agency and "travels" to different places for assignments. Assignments are usually for 13 weeks and then the nurse transfers to another assignment. Housing and a food allowance are added to the salary. Salary is usually alot higher than for the nurses who are on staff at the particular place. Hospitals uses travellers to fill spots when they aren't able to hire enough nurses as their own employees. Being a travel nurse doesn't necessarily mean you travel to other cities. I've worked with nurses who travel from place to place within their home area--they just rotate working, in 13 week chunks, from one setting to another locally(and still get a housing allowance). When I was making 28 an hour, these nurses were getting 35 (this was 5 years ago). Recently I've met a "traveller" who is making $55 an hour plus allowances.
I appreciate this discussion, as far as getting the most "bang" for work. I don't think wanting to make as much money as possible excludes enjoying your job or wanting to be good at it. Nurses have been expected to have a mission/calling and to not care about salary. While this surely is true for many, would one say that about plumbers, lawyers, or doctors? We have a right to be paid for what we do in our work! We save lives--that's worth alot! I'm glad you brought it up!
I appreciate this discussion, as far as getting the most "bang" for work. I don't think wanting to make as much money as possible excludes enjoying your job or wanting to be good at it. Nurses have been expected to have a mission/calling and to not care about salary. While this surely is true for many, would one say that about plumbers, lawyers, or doctors? We have a right to be paid for what we do in our work! We save lives--that's worth alot! I'm glad you brought it up!
I agree--when I hear nurses say "I dont do it for the money" I always reply "well then why dont you just volunteer"
Got some bad news for you, buddy. If you are this easily bothered and irritable, then healthcare/nursing ain't for you. No amount of money is going to make it worth it for you to jump through the infinite amount of hoops that entail getting into those speciality jobs (that...SURPRISE...everyone else wants too).
Just saying. You've got a bad attitude, and you might as well just take it to law school and get it over with now.
Calm down dude. The OP appears to have found a profession that he is interested in doing. Now he is looking to find a job that will pay the most. Seems logical to me. Besides, the guy said he wasn't looking for 'bleeding heart answers', he obviously would not be a competent trial lawyer.
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.
Actually it wouldn't take that long depending on what degree you're getting for your RN. To get CRNA: BSN, 1 year ICU experience, 2-3 years Specialty.. Voila!
So, I would estimate 6 years.. That's if you're getting your ADN..
It would definitely be worth it. You could save a buttload of money for your retirement!
I will tell you what I honestly know and until you have at least one year of experience in the field it will be hard to get any good pay. Starting pay at most places (except California) is around $20-21 an hour with full time benefits. After you have a years medical experience you can get a flexi position in most float pools for $5-$8 more an hour than that but no benefits. If you just want to see an example of which areas might pay a little more you might want to try looking at a travel nurse agency web site like travel nurse across america or nova pro, they usually list pay rates being offered for different jobs in different specialties and areas of the country. Hope that helps! Jilda Davenport, Rn
Got some bad news for you, buddy. If you are this easily bothered and irritable, then healthcare/nursing ain't for you. No amount of money is going to make it worth it for you to jump through the infinite amount of hoops that entail getting into those speciality jobs (that...SURPRISE...everyone else wants too).
Just saying. You've got a bad attitude, and you might as well just take it to law school and get it over with now.
Wow, so you think you know someone by one post, lol. Oh and you don't get aggravated.... yeah!
Oh and I have been in and out of hospitals and Dr;s offices due to a car accident that broke my neck, blew 5 disks out of my back, crushed my sciatic nerve, coded me once almost twice, shall I keep going, the list of what happen to me is long. The whole time I was in and out, I don't think I met ONE NURSE with the "perfect" attitude, more than not, they were down right mean!
So though I respect everyone's right for a point of view, think before you speak! The internet is the last place to construct a judgment call on anyone; there is no depth or emotion in a simple forum post to make that kind of call!
Wow, so you think you know someone by one post, lol. Oh and you don't get aggravated.... yeah!
Oh and I have been in and out of hospitals and Dr;s offices due to a car accident that broke my neck, blew 5 disks out of my back, crushed my sciatic nerve, coded me once almost twice, shall I keep going, the list of what happen to me is long. The whole time I was in and out, I don't think I met ONE NURSE with the "perfect" attitude, more than not, they were down right mean!
So though I respect everyone's right for a point of view, think before you speak! The internet is the last place to construct a judgment call on anyone; there is no depth or emotion in a simple forum post to make that kind of call!
Eddie
Well, the first impression is the only one to go off of. I work with what I get. :)
Koyaanisqatsi-RN
218 Posts
Got some bad news for you, buddy. If you are this easily bothered and irritable, then healthcare/nursing ain't for you. No amount of money is going to make it worth it for you to jump through the infinite amount of hoops that entail getting into those speciality jobs (that...SURPRISE...everyone else wants too).
Just saying. You've got a bad attitude, and you might as well just take it to law school and get it over with now.