Which specialty compensated the most financially?

Specialties NP

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I am not looking to hear the do what you love its about passion. Given you are employed as a DNP in a state that allows full autonomy, which specialty offers the highest compensation? My thoughts would be family nurse practitioner in your own clinic where you have a full busy clientele, but I'm not sure what all factors into it. Would an acute care make more? I mean obviously your own clinic carries heavier debt, but that aside, which one has the most potential for high earnings.

Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

In my neck of the woods, retail health pays well. Granted I am a new grad FNP, but new grad starting salary is $107,000/year (based on a 40 hour work week).

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For my area (southeast), Emergency Department NP makes the most money. Derm could make more but I do not know any derm NP. I know a Geriatric NP working independently in NH for herself under protocol who makes a lot of money ..

Disagree with previous posters. Psych NP is poorly paid in Southeast. It is best to go for FNP / Acute care NP here.

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I currently work for the California Dept of State Hospitals.. NPs here start at 8600/mo then go up to 9600/mo.. California Dept of Corrections pay more, they start NPs at 10k/mo then go up to 12k/mo.. Plus add all the State benefits.. For 20yrs State Service, Calpers Pension amounting to 80% of basic pay plus full benefits.. For Safety category, you can retire at 50yo..

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.
i like the start "i don't want to hear that doing your dream is worth more than the money"

i like your way of thinking. I also get tired of the cushy "ohhhhh do what you loveeee and youllllllll be suuuuuperrrr happpyyy. says the person heading to file for a foreclosure.

If a person is headed for foreclosure it's more a sign of poor money management than a failure to choose the right NP track. If you live above your means you will be headed for foreclosure regardless of income level.

There are so many factors that determine how much you will make as an NP that it's hard to choose your field at the outset based on how much money you'll make. It can depend on region of the country, the economy when you start your job search (which may be totally different than the economy when you started out) etc. And if you choose a field for which you have little aptitude or interest, you won't be successful and won't make much money in the end either, or you'll be stuck in a career track you despise.

And if making money is the #1 priority, why choose nursing altogether? There are other professions with a similar length of training (or less) that pay better than NP.

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Specializes in psychiatric, corrections.
If a person is headed for foreclosure it's more a sign of poor money management than a failure to choose the right NP track. If you live above your means you will be headed for foreclosure regardless of income level.

And if making money is the #1 priority, why choose nursing altogether? There are other professions with a similar length of training (or less) that pay better than NP.

Many people are choosing nursing because of the stability of income it provides. I have never been through a foreclosure or even close, however I think it's treading VERY deep waters to suggest foreclosures occur simply because of mismanaged funds, especially since the recession. What would you say to someone who lost their job? It's hardly their fault is it? I do believe there has to be a passion involved with any profession, but it would be lax to not consider the monetary compensation. Everyone has bills to pay. America has many freedoms, but what's the point if you can't afford them? Anyone who thinks money doesn't matter is a fool; of course it matters. I would love to be a NP too as some point, and though I value the all-mighty dollar, I wouldn't go into something such as anesthesia, why? Because it sounds terribly dull, I couldn't imagine standing there for 8 hours watching a monitor in a cold operating room every day, even though it pays well. So it's a give and take. If everyone just followed their dreams the world would mostly consist of out of work actors and wannabe singers. If you can get paid a good wage AND do what ya love, then why not? A desire to have money in your pocket does not always equate for a disregard for human life, and I think many people on this site tend to jump too quickly down people's throats....God forbid you wanna make a desirable living

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Specializes in Mental Health.
I currently work for the California Dept of State Hospitals.. NPs here start at 8600/mo then go up to 9600/mo.. California Dept of Corrections pay more, they start NPs at 10k/mo then go up to 12k/mo.. Plus add all the State benefits.. For 20yrs State Service, Calpers Pension amounting to 80% of basic pay plus full benefits.. For Safety category, you can retire at 50yo..

Given the high cost of living in California, and the fact that I highly doubt the state will be able to pay for any pensions in the near future, this is not as good as it sounds. California is broke, mainly due to all the pensions the state has to pay out. IMO you're much better off living in a state with lower cost of living and saving for retirement through 401k/IRA. It's still possible to retire at 50 this way and you won't need to depend on the state.

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Hi mzaur! As of today, CA has recovered from Arnold's poor mngt and budget skills.. Thanks to our new governor, Jerry Brown, CA actually has a surplus in overall state budget and Calpers pension is in the process of recovering big time from the crash of 2008.. This year, Calpers had the highest investment gains since 2003... While it will take years to recover, everything is looking better and brighter in CA :)

Well, the standard of living is still the highest in the country.. No doubt bout that.. I guess thats what we pay for nice beaches and sunny skies ;)

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.
Many people are choosing nursing because of the stability of income it provides. I have never been through a foreclosure or even close, however I think it's treading VERY deep waters to suggest foreclosures occur simply because of mismanaged funds, especially since the recession. What would you say to someone who lost their job? It's hardly their fault is it? I do believe there has to be a passion involved with any profession, but it would be lax to not consider the monetary compensation. Everyone has bills to pay. America has many freedoms, but what's the point if you can't afford them? Anyone who thinks money doesn't matter is a fool; of course it matters. I would love to be a NP too as some point, and though I value the all-mighty dollar, I wouldn't go into something such as anesthesia, why? Because it sounds terribly dull, I couldn't imagine standing there for 8 hours watching a monitor in a cold operating room every day, even though it pays well. So it's a give and take. If everyone just followed their dreams the world would mostly consist of out of work actors and wannabe singers. If you can get paid a good wage AND do what ya love, then why not? A desire to have money in your pocket does not always equate for a disregard for human life, and I think many people on this site tend to jump too quickly down people's throats....God forbid you wanna make a desirable living

I think you are missing the point.

You can choose any NP specialty and make a decent wage, provided that there are jobs available where you live and/or you are willing to move. I am a pediatric NP, which is probably the lowest paying specialty. I certainly make more money than most RN's, and many other professionals with masters' degrees. Could I have made even more money by choosing a different specialty? Maybe, but that's iffy. There's no guarantees that if I had chosen a different specialty I would have ended up better off than I am now.

So, choosing one NP path over another is not the same as being a starving artist waiting tables or bartending until you get your big break. You can make a nice living as an NP regardless of specialty. Will other NP's make an even nicer living than you? That is very likely. And there are other professionals making even nicer livings than those NP's. At a certain point you gotta just keep your eyes on your own plate and decide what is enough for you.

PS Do you really believe that everyone in their heart of hearts is dreaming of being an actor or a singer?

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I completely agree with you. The grass will be greener where you water it.

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Specializes in Internal medicine/critical care/FP.

er in my area i think. in some areas hospitalist positions pay well, just not mine lol. pain clinic rakes it in where i live. 130k for 30 hours a week.

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Hi mzaur! As of today, CA has recovered from Arnold's poor mngt and budget skills.. Thanks to our new governor, Jerry Brown, CA actually has a surplus in overall state budget and Calpers pension is in the process of recovering big time from the crash of 2008.. This year, Calpers had the highest investment gains since 2003... While it will take years to recover, everything is looking better and brighter in CA :)

Well, the standard of living is still the highest in the country.. No doubt bout that.. I guess thats what we pay for nice beaches and sunny skies ;)

Unfortunately most of Cali is only nice in the movies. Worst place I have ever lived. High crime, taxes, pollution, traffic and most importantly crazies...

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Hi Dranger! Sorry you had a horrible experience in Cali :( but like any other state, it depends on the city you are in.. If you lived in LA, Oakland, Salinas, Stockton or Fresno, then yeah, crime rates are scary.. But if you stayed in Palo Alto, Monterey or San Luis Obispo, youd have a totally different experience.. Like any other place, there are good and bad areas.. And no matter how much they'd offer me monetarily, i wouldnt live in those bad areas..

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