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I have yet to encounter a career path as versatile or as personally meaningful as nursing. This dynamic field attracts some of today's most inspiring individuals: wonderful healthcare professionals who feel called to make a difference while providing empathetic care for all kinds of patients. I love seeing nurses work their magic as they bring care and compassion to those who need it most, and I regularly encounter nurses in all kinds of healthcare settings working with patients from all walks of life.
Another aspect of nursing I can't help but notice: the remarkably vast scope of this field. Yes, all nurses need to clear certain hurdles and develop a basic set of clinical skills — but beyond that, no two roles look quite alike.
Whether you're hoping to elevate your career as a registered nurse (RN) or become a nurse practitioner (NP), you need to understand what sets each role and specialty apart. This might seem like a tall order, but I am happy to help. With a little reflection and some patient guidance, most students uncover nursing opportunities that align with their unique personalities and their long-term career goals.
If you are interested in entering the field of nursing, below I dive into some common questions regarding the most compelling, top-paying nursing careers. Keep reading to learn more about top nursing careers and what will play into your eventual decision to pursue a particular nursing specialty or level of nursing.
Exploring the Top Nursing Careers for Graduates
As you emerge from nursing school and look forward to a bright future in the healthcare field, options abound, which could make it difficult to know which path best aligns with your unique skills, interests, and personality.
There is no simple answer, either. You may be lucky enough to feel drawn to a specific nursing specialty from the get-go — but in all likelihood, you will need to be exposed to several career paths before you find your special place within this vast field. Fortunately, this journey can be deeply meaningful, and it's worth your while to learn as much as possible about nursing and the many ways that nurses can transform the lives of their patients.
As you navigate nursing school, take advantage of every opportunity to explore niches. There is value in chatting with faculty members or supervisors, but you can also attend conferences and other networking events or even shadow talented nurses in the field.
Over time, you will get a sense for the qualities that draw you to specific areas of nursing — or circumstances you prefer to avoid. Of course, you can always count on career services for insight. Let’s delve into the top nursing career options that follow.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
I would not want to navigate a healthcare system that lacked the expertise of CRNAs. These highly trained nurse anesthetists are fully prepared to administer anesthesia for pain management purposes. This brings not only physical relief during various surgical procedures but also peace of mind.
I've observed an uptick in CRNA hiring as employers aim to expand access to care while also making anesthesia as cost-effective as possible. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook across the category for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is 38% from 2022 to 2032, with a growth rate significantly faster than average. Additionally, nurse anesthetists can make an impressive median wage of $212,650 annually.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
I am well aware of the frightening health conditions that newborns can experience — and relieved that neonatal NPs provide exceptional care for premature infants or those with congenital conditions. I typically encounter these positions in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), where specialized NPs lead the charge in addressing alarming concerns such as sepsis or respiratory distress syndrome.
I am always impressed by NNPs' strong communication skills; even in challenging situations, these NPs must work seamlessly with multidisciplinary teams while keeping parents in the loop about serious health concerns. The median salary for all types of nurse practitioners is $126,260 as of 2023.
Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)
Today's emergency rooms function far better (and provide more cost-effective care) under the guidance of emergency nurse practitioners. Bringing their expertise to high-stakes medical settings, these NPs do it all: manage airways, suture wounds, cast fractures, and stabilize patients in general so that they will be receptive to additional care from other providers or specialists.
I am especially pleased to see ENPs making an extra effort to communicate with the families of their patients, offering much-needed reassurance as well as concrete details about treatment plans and follow-up care.
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
A general rise in mental health issues is a cause for concern, but I am glad that patients can find consistent support from psychiatric and mental health NPs. I have uncovered many PMHNP job postings from major hospitals, where psychiatric departments may call for specialized care from compassionate and highly resilient professionals.
These roles may also involve outpatient clinics. I advise looking into both opportunities while working to develop emotional intelligence and a solid understanding of evidence-based therapeutic techniques.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
I have seen many talented nurses move into the role of family nurse practitioner, where they develop powerful relationships with patients and their families. This is an ideal option for anyone who loves to interact directly with patients and has a knack for patient-centered care.
FNPs have a major influence on patients and can shape positive health outcomes, simply by listening to their concerns and expressing genuine empathy. Of course, attention to detail is crucial, too, as FNPs also complete evaluations, diagnose health conditions, and drive preventative care.
Nurse Informatics Specialist
Nursing offers something for everyone — even tech-savvy students who are always checking out the latest devices. I love to introduce the most technologically skilled nursing students to the growing world of nurse informatics and health information technology, which promises to make a huge splash in the industry as a whole.
I am amazed by the ability of nursing informatics professionals to make sense of a whirlwind of healthcare data. In addition, they make it easier for other healthcare workers to navigate this data, often by implementing electronic medical records (EMR) systems and other tech-forward solutions. This niche is rapidly changing, with a projected job growth of 16% in the U.S. from 2022 to 2032.
Critical Care Nurse
Treating patients with life-threatening illnesses and conditions, critical care nurses impress me with their ability to remain calm and collected during emergency situations. They are the superheroes of the intensive care unit (ICU), where they rapidly (but thoroughly) assess patients and continuously monitor them for changes in heart rate, blood pressure, or respiratory rate.
Future critical care nurses should thoroughly develop their clinical and technical skills, as they can be expected to handle advanced equipment while leading the charge with emergency interventions. I also recommend that future CCNs focus on infection prevention, as the best nurses help ensure a safe and sanitary environment in the ICU.
Oncology Nurse
Working primarily with patients who have cancer (or are at risk of developing it in the future), oncology nurses are some of the most admired in the healthcare field, and for good reason: They have elite clinical skills, not to mention a well-rounded understanding of various types of cancers and available treatments.
I am always astounded by the strength and compassion these nurses show as they support patients through some of the most emotionally wrenching and physically draining treatments imaginable. I have observed that these adaptable professionals are constantly learning and growing, especially as new treatments become available.
Nurse Midwife
I am in awe of the resilience that expecting mothers show through every stage of their pregnancy journey. Nurse midwives share this reverence and are eager to bring care and compassion to all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth. Offering individualized care and patient empowerment, these remarkable professionals show clear respect for their patients and strive to make childbirth as safe and healthy as possible.
Multi-talented nurse midwives must be prepared to tackle many tasks, but I've realized that this versatility is what makes the field dynamic and exciting. I cannot overstate the importance of the prenatal checkups and screenings these midwives promote. Of course, they provide much-needed support during labor, too, along with postpartum care. BLS data lists a median annual wage of nearly $130,000 for these professionals.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
I have noticed that some nursing students struggle to distinguish between FNPs and PNPs. There is certainly a lot of overlap: Both roles could potentially involve working with children, although this is more clearly built into the role of pediatric nurse practitioner.
Holding one of the top-paying nursing careers, pediatric NPs should be friendly and patient as well as possess an extraordinary knowledge of child development. Their holistic care can set up children for a lifetime of positive health outcomes.
Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
From fractures to arthritis, Orthopedic NPs help patients with numerous health issues, which (though not necessarily life-threatening) still call for targeted care. I am impressed by their knowledge of the musculoskeletal system — and their ability to help patients manage pain from arthritis, osteoporosis, fractures, and much more.
I especially enjoy directing sports or fitness-minded students to this specialty, which allows them to treat sports-related injuries and help patients return to leading active lifestyles. It is a great field for collaborative NPs, who get to work closely with surgeons, physical therapists, and many other talented professionals.
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
I fully anticipate a wealth of nursing opportunities to become available in the next few years, particularly as patients of the Baby Boomer generation continue to navigate life as seniors. I expect there will also be a strong need for leadership in this niche as well as a distinct blend of empathy and respect when working with older patients.
This is where gerontological NPs shine, showing respect and compassion for the seniors they treat. They develop a well-rounded understanding of the variety of health concerns that can accompany age. With their guidance, seniors can achieve a wonderful quality of life while maintaining the best possible health and well-being.
Advancing Your Nursing Career
Now that I have introduced the most impactful specialties and top-paying nursing careers, it's time to determine how, exactly, you will move forward with yours. Be prepared to reflect on all you have achieved thus far and determine, based on your previous observations and experiences, which of the roles highlighted above seem most compelling.
Keep in mind that I have only provided a small snapshot of the many exciting roles available in the vast nursing field. As you continue to explore other niches, you may feel drawn to specialties you never considered or even realized existed. Still, you will want to take active steps to move your career to its next phase.
Certification and Specialization
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can set forward-thinking nurses up for success. However, that is just one of several steps to be expected on the path to career advancement. I see many ambitious nurses make plans for their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees, often in hopes of securing high-level APRN or NP roles.
In addition to advancing their educations, I strongly advise nurses to seek out targeted certifications, which help them gain specialty skills and appeal to specific types of employers. I have already discussed several of these options, but when in doubt, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is an excellent resource.
Continuing Education and Professional Development
Graduation is exciting, but remember, learning is a lifelong pursuit — and as a nurse, you should never stop striving to improve your clinical skill set or your healthcare knowledge. Thankfully, the nursing field makes it easy to stay up to date. Continuing education is a big deal and chances are, you will need to make this a priority to remain in good standing.
Workplace Dynamics and Opportunities
In my previous descriptions of top nursing careers and specialties, I focused on key patient populations or the types of conditions treated by various nurses. These factors should be top of mind, but you will also want to be mindful of work settings.
In some specialties, these are relatively straightforward; for instance, emergency nurse practitioners spend the majority of their time in the ER, while most FNPs work in clinics. Still, you should be mindful of the full range of opportunities available within each specialty.
Hospital Settings vs. Private Practice
I typically advise stability-seeking students to stick with private practice, which is more likely to offer 9-to-5 shifts and the chance to avoid working weekends or holidays.
Some nurses, however, actually prefer shift work and may even crave the excitement and novelty that hospital settings provide. These nurses need to be prepared for higher-stress and higher-stakes situations, which are obviously to be expected in the ER and ICU but may also come into play in other hospital settings.
Opportunities in Telehealth Nursing
I am intrigued by today's top telehealth offerings and eager to see more patients take advantage of these opportunities. Many nurses share my enthusiasm, as they recognize that telehealth is key to reaching patients in underserved areas.
Telehealth opportunities are available across most of the nursing specialties mentioned previously. Often, this approach involves wearable devices that help nurses track everything from blood pressure to heart rate. I've also observed numerous exciting remote options in clinical coordination and nursing informatics.
Challenges and Rewards in Nursing Careers
I rarely encounter career fields so simultaneously challenging and rewarding as nursing. It would do nursing students a disservice to claim that this pathway is easy; in reality, nursing can be stressful and emotionally tiring. Additionally, I know it is deeply meaningful, with the potential to clear pathways to top-paying nursing careers that certainly pay off in the long run.
Emotional and Physical Demands
I believe that all nurses need to be emotionally resilient, as, no matter their chosen specialty, all are bound to encounter demanding situations or patients at some point. Similarly, all will eventually need to deliver bad news.
Despite these commonalities, some specialties present unique challenges. For example, ER, ICU, and oncology nursing can be mentally and physically stressful. Hospice nursing can be incredibly emotional.
Job Satisfaction and Career Fulfillment
Salary matters, so it’s understandable why students want to explore top-paying nursing careers. I also believe aspiring nurses should think about far more than wages alone. Not all nursing specialties appeal to all students, so it is essential to dedicate plenty of time and effort to self-reflection.
College career services experts can help with this process. At University of the Cumberlands, we have worked with many students and have a detailed understanding of which types of jobs are most likely to appeal based on specific personality traits or career goals.
The Future of Nursing
I am happy to say that the future of nursing is bright. These days, nurses command a great deal of respect and, with the right credentials, can also earn impressive wages. Moving forward, there will likely be even more opportunities in nursing, with the field expanding in response to unprecedented demand, not to mention the ever-increasing pace of technological advancement.
While this may be an optimal time to enter nursing, students should be well aware of upcoming healthcare trends as they examine potential career opportunities.
Technological Advancements in Healthcare
There's no denying that nursing informatics specialists need to have a firm grasp of cutting-edge technologies, but I anticipate that this will be important across all specialties in the near future. After all, nurses are already expected to embrace electronic health records and other advanced healthcare technologies. I expect to see greater use of wearables and the ongoing integration of artificial intelligence into multiple areas of the nursing field.
The Evolving Role of Nurses in Patient Care
I have observed a distinct shift toward granting nurses more autonomy. This is especially true of nurse practitioners, although many registered nurses (namely those with their BSN) also frequently take on leadership roles. NPs now have a wide scope of practice, and soon, this could be true of more RNs — particularly those with specialty knowledge and experience.
Discover Your Dream Nursing Career With Cumberlands
Are you passionate about nursing and eager to find your unique place in the healthcare sector? I encourage you to explore University of the Cumberlands' degree programs, which can prepare you for success as an RN, APRN, or NP.
We offer the opportunity to earn your associate degree in nursing or to complete an online RN to BSN bridge program. Our Master of Science in Nursing is a great option if you feel drawn to the role of FNP. I would love to discuss these (and other) academic and career options, so don't hesitate to reach out.
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