Whether you want to assist surgeons during procedures in a hospital or work with patients in their homes, there are nursing careers available at nearly every educational levelthat come with a variety of salaries, locations and responsibilities.
Nursing is the largest profession in healthcare, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), with the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) estimate that there were nearly 3million registered nursing jobs in 2020. The field is projected to grow by 9% through 2030, BLS reported, adding more than 276,000 positions with opportunities to pursue more than 100 specialties ranging from school or camp nurse to cardiac care.
What Are the Different Types of Nurses and Their Salaries?
So many options can leave new and seasoned nurses wondering which specialty is right for them. To help, we’ve compiled a list of the 16 types of nurses employers are looking to hire, including information on salary, growth potential and required nursing degrees.
1. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- 2021 Median Salary: $30,290
- Projected Job Growth by 2030: 8%
- Education Required: State-approved education program, on-the-job training
- Location: Nursing care facilities, hospitals and long-term care facilities
- Responsibilities: Monitor vital signs, bathe and dress patients and assist with their repositioning and walking
2. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
- 2021 Median Salary: $48,070
- Projected Job Growth by 2030: 9%
- Education Required: Certificate/Diploma in an approved educational program often found in technical schools and community colleges
- Location: Nursing care facilities, hospitals, physician offices, home health care
- Responsibilities: Change bandages, monitor blood pressure, collect blood and urine samples and address patient concerns to RNs and doctors
3. Registered Nurse (RN)
- 2021 Median Salary: $77,600
- Projected Job Growth by 2030: 9%
- Education Required: Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Location: Hospitals, ambulatory care services, nursing care facilities
- Responsibilities: Assess patients, administer medications and treatments, assist in diagnostic testing and provide emotional support and health education to patients and their families
4. Surgical Assistant Registered Nurse
- 2021 Average Salary: $101,700
- Education Required: ADN, BSN preferred
- Location: Hospitals
- Responsibilities: Assist surgeons during procedures and care for patients before, during and after surgery
5. Home Care Registered Nurse
- 2021 Average Salary: $53,000
- Education Required: ADN, BSN
- Location: Patient homes
- Responsibilities: Prepare equipment, change dressings, administer medication and monitor conditions
6. Emergency Room Registered Nurse
- 2021 Average Salary: $79,300
- Education Required: ADN, BSN
- Location: Emergency rooms
- Responsibilities: Perform triage upon patient arrival, determine order of treatment, conduct examinations, record patient histories, monitor patient progress and consult with supervising physicians
7. Labor and Delivery Nurse
- 2021 Average Salary: $76,400
- Education Required: ADN, BSN
- Location: Hospitals, private care facilities
- Responsibilities: Assist mothers through labor and delivery, perform cognitive tests on newborn babies, help parents select a plan of care and assist in the post-delivery care of both mother and child
8. Clinical Nurse Supervisor
- 2021 Average Salary: $76,145
- Education Required: ADN, BSN, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Location: Hospitals, long-term care facilities
- Responsibilities: Supervise nursing staff, schedule hours, hand out patient assignments, complete performance evaluations
9. Nurse Case Manager
- 2021 Average Salary: $66,155
- Education Required: BSN
- Location: Hospital, nursing home, industrial environment
- Responsibilities: Work with patients, medical staff and insurance providers to find the most cost effective care plan, monitor progress, evaluate care and suggest alternative treatments
10. Critical Care Registered Nurse
- 2021 Average Salary: $79,800
- Education Required: BSN
- Location: Intensive Care Units, specialty hospitals
- Responsibilities: Provide complex care to those with serious illnesses or injuries
11. Oncology Registered Nurse
- 2021 Average Salary: $79,320
- Education Required: BSN
- Responsibilities: Provide care for patients undergoing treatment for cancer or patients who are at risk for developing cancer, administer medication and closely monitor patient conditions
12. Health Informatics Nurse Specialist
- 2021 Average Salary: $93,390
- Education Required: BSN, master's in health informatics, health care management or quality management preferred
- Location: Information Systems department of healthcare organizations
- Responsibilities: Maintain medical hardware and software, train medical staff and ensure that electronic documentation meets accreditation and review organization standards
13. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
- 2021 Median Salary: $123,780
- Projected Job Growth by 2030: 45%
- Education Required: MSN
- Location: Physician offices, hospitals, outpatient care centers
- Responsibilities: Diagnose patients, manage treatments, order tests and prescribe medications
14. Clinical Nurse Specialist
- 2021 Average Salary: $111,982
- Education Required: MSN
- Responsibilities: Improve patient care plans by working with social workers, doctors, nurse specialists and pharmacists, and occasionally provide bedside care to patients
15. Nurse Practitioner
- 2021 Median Salary: $120,680
- Projected Job Growth by 2030: 52%
- Education Required: MSN or a master’s degree in a specialty role
- Location: Physician offices, hospitals
- Responsibilities: Examine patients, diagnose health problems, analyze test results and administer medicine and treatments
16. Nurse Educator
- 2021 Average Salary: $103,448
- Education Required: MSN, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Location: Academic settings, clinics, hospitals
- Responsibilities: Develop continuing education programs, facilitate training, provide educational resources to staff and design educational initiatives to improve patient care
How Many Types of Nurses Are There?
If you’re still not sure what kind of career you want to pursue as a nurse, don’t worry. This list is just a small sample of the hundreds of types of nursing jobs you can pursue in your nursing career.
Nurses are the most employed professional in healthcare and are in the occupation with the sixth-highest projected change in employment in the U.S. according to the BLS occupational outlook.
- 1.75 million RNs work in hospitals
- 199,130 work in physician’s offices
- 173,790 work in home health care services
- 131,320 work in skilled nursing facilities
- 147,720 work in outpatient care centers
Advance Your Career in Nursing
Earning your bachelor's in nursingor master's in nursingprovides you with an undeniable advantage in your nursing career.
Although it isn’t required for a registered nurse to have a BSN degree, according to the 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey, about 42% of nurses said the baccalaureate degree was their first nursing license. A BSN is slightly different than an RNas it helps prepare you for the increased complexity of care, advances in technology and a shift from acute care settings to community-based care. Many RN specialty certifications require a BSN as a minimum education requirement.
And, earning your BSN or MSN can help you at the outset of your career. According to the AACN, 40.6% of employers now require new hires to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and 77.4% express a strong preference for BSN program graduates.
Additionally, a 2021 AACN survey found that 76% of BSN students and 75% of MSN students had job offers at the time of graduation. Four to six months after the completion of their programs, the survey found employment to be 93% among entry-level BSN and 94% MSN graduates.
Start Your Career in Nursing
Few careers have as much potential to positively impact people’s lives as nursing. According to the AACN, nurses are the primary providers of patient care in hospitals, deliver the majority of long-term care in the country and have a huge impact on patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes.
Although COVID-19 challenged nurses in many ways, a 2020 American Nurse Association survey found that, despite the pandemic, 85% of respondents would become a nurse again if they had to do it over.
“People who want to work in the service of others, who want to aid in healing the whole person make excellent nurses,” said Southern New Hampshire University online BSN graduate Julie Antis '17.
Nursing is a career that allows you to create the life you want. While some nursing jobs follow a standard five-day workweek, many registered nurses work nights, weekends and even holidays, offering flexibility to fit your life. And, nurses are in demandall across the country, which means you can opt for a change of scenery without damaging your career.
A degree can change your life. Find the SNHU online nursing programthat can best help you meet your goals.
Rebecca LeBoeuf ’18 is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
FAQs
INFOGRAPHIC: 16 Types of Nurses Including Job Descriptions and Salary? ›
Which Nurses make the most money? Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists earn the highest salary, not just in Canada, but all over the world with an average salary of about $202,000/year or about $97/hour.
What type of Nurse makes the most money in Canada? ›Which Nurses make the most money? Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists earn the highest salary, not just in Canada, but all over the world with an average salary of about $202,000/year or about $97/hour.
What is the job description of a Nurse? ›Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.
Which type of nursing is best? ›- Legal nurse consultant. ...
- Forensic nurse consultant. ...
- Public health nurse. ...
- Occupational nurse. ...
- Medical writer. ...
- Physical therapist. ...
- Psychiatric nurse practitioner. ...
- Medical or pharmaceutical sales.
Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) and Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) have the least education requirements among nurses and therefore tend to make lower incomes than other nursing specialties. LVNs and LPNs can increase their income by getting an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in nursing.
Where are the highest paid nurses? ›Highest-paying states for RNs, adjusted for cost of living
As of 2021, Hawaii tops the list at 119.3, while Mississippi comes in lowest, at 87.8. Adjusting each state's average RN salary by its cost of living index gives us a potentially more accurate means of comparing where nurses get paid the most.
- Edmonton, AB. $50.77 per hour. 293 salaries reported.
- Scarborough, ON. $38.90 per hour. 383 salaries reported.
- Windsor, ON. $37.59 per hour. 351 salaries reported.
- London, ON. $37.46 per hour. 1.2k salaries reported.
- Toronto, ON. $37.07 per hour. ...
- Show more nearby cities.
The entry-level nurse in Canada earns $59,875 per year, and the most experienced employee earns up to $105,477 per year. The Registered Nurse with an entry-level position earns $59,762 per year and the most experienced worker earns $83,168 per year. The Clinical nurse gets $88,396 per year based on 2175 salaries.
How much are Canadian Nurses paid? ›The average nurse salary in Canada is $71,894 per year or $36.87 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $57,387 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $87,750 per year.
What are the 6 C's of nursing? ›The 6 Cs – care, compassion, courage, communication, commitment, competence - are a central part of 'Compassion in Practice', which was first established by NHS England Chief Nursing Officer, Jane Cummings, in December 2017.
What are 3 job duties for a nurse? ›
- Assessing, observing, and speaking to patients.
- Recording details and symptoms of patient medical history and current health.
- Preparing patients for exams and treatment.
- Administering medications and treatments, then monitoring patients for side effects and reactions.
A Licensed Practical Nurse is a professional who plans and manages patient care according to each individual's needs. They interview patients and record their medical history and physical conditions like blood pressure or temperature while obtaining vital signs.
Which nurse is the hardest? ›The most stressful nursing jobs include ICU nurse, ER nurse, and NICU nurse. In these roles, nurses work in an intense environment with high stakes. They manage emergency situations and care for critically ill patients. Other stressful nursing jobs include OR nursing, oncology nursing, and psychiatric nursing.
What is the easiest nurse to be? ›- Nurse Educator. This is one of the least stressful nursing jobs available. ...
- School Nurse/Summer Camp Nurse. If you love children, this might be the perfect opportunity for you. ...
- Nurse Administrator. ...
- Public Health Nurse. ...
- Nurse Researcher. ...
- Nurse Informaticist. ...
- Case Management Nurse. ...
- Home Health Nurse.
- Nurse Educator. Average Annual Salary: $62,000. ...
- Nurse Blogger. Average Annual Salary: N/A. ...
- Clinic Nurse. Average Annual Salary: $65,000. ...
- Traveling Nurse. Average Annual Salary: $70,000. ...
- School Nurse. Average Annual Salary: $50,000. ...
- Summer Camp Nurse. ...
- Nurse Administrator. ...
- Public Health Nurse.
OCCUPATION | 2022 MEDIAN PAY | PERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER NATIONAL MEDIAN |
---|---|---|
Chief Executives | $189,520 | 309.20% |
Orthodontists | $174,360 | 276.50% |
Computer and Information Systems Managers | $164,070 | 254.30% |
Architectural and Engineering Managers | $159,920 | 245.30% |
Nurses are in high demand
This also means that nurses have a great number of choices in terms of where they want to live. The medical field in general has many roles that are in very high demand, and as a result, the pay for these roles is often good.
The most significant reason why the USA is a better country for nurses than Canada is the fact that it offers immense room for career development. Nursing jobs in the US come with impressive job security and plenty of room for advancement, along with numerous different career paths for you to choose from.
Can Canadian nurse work in USA? ›Yes, a registered Canadian nurse with a passed NCLEX can work in the US. Canadian RNs are licensed to practice in the US just like other health professionals, as long as they pass The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Who makes more money than nurses? ›While both nurse practitioners and doctors can enjoy the benefit of great incomes, doctors make almost twice as much as nurse practitioners. In fact, according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, doctors typically earn an average annual salary of about $200,000 or more.
Which part of Canada is best for nursing? ›
Nova Scotia is one of the best places to develop a nursing career. It is home to Nova Scotia College of Nursing. The college handles the practice of over 15,000 nurses. It also ensures that the community can trust the nurses from Nova Scotia.
What is the age limit for nurses in Canada? ›In terms of working in Canada as a nurse, there is no age limit to stop working. In fact, there are some nurses in their 60s and 70s still working.
How much do Filipino nurses make in Canada? ›MANILA – An entry-level salary of 74,000 Canadian dollars (around PHP3 million) per year awaits Filipino nurses in Canada's Saskatchewan province as it turns to southeast Asia, including the Philippines to boost its health care workforce.
Do student nurses get paid in Canada? ›Student Nurse Salaries in Canada
The national average salary for a Student Nurse is $46,449 in Canada.
Do different types of nurses work different schedules? While most nurses, especially those who work in hospitals, work a standard 12-hour shift, there are certain nurse positions that require different work schedules. Nurses who work in a doctor's office typically have a 40-hour week working Monday through Friday.
What is pharmacist salary? › Are nurses paid by the government in Canada? ›Working as a nurse for the government of Canada
For example, nurses working in these posts receive a base salary and allowances that add up to a well-paid compensation package. Nurses are also eligible for overtime, callback and standby pay.
Benefits. First and foremost benefit of working as a registered nurse in Canada is that you get to earn an average salary of $65,000 CD annually which is comparatively higher than what is being offered in developing nations.
What are the 4 P's of nursing? ›It's structured around four themes – prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety and promote professionalism and trust.
What are the 4 domains of nursing? ›Fawcett has named person, health, environment and nursing as the four main concepts of nursing that need to be comprehensively defined.
How do you rock a nursing interview? ›
- Know where you're going. Healthcare facilities are often big and confusing. ...
- Dress professionally. Professional attire tells interviewers you take them and the job seriously.
- Rehearse your nursing interview questions. Don't just prep answers. ...
- Pamper yourself. ...
- Listen and take notes.
Prompts About the Roles and Functions of the Nurse:
Make a set of flash cards that lists and defines the six roles that nurses must play in patient care (caregiver, decision maker, communicator, manager of care, patient advocate, and teacher).
- Perform physical exams and health histories before making critical decisions.
- Provide health promotion, counseling and education.
- Administer medications and other personalized interventions.
- Coordinate care, in collaboration with a wide array of health care professionals.
- Administering medication. ...
- Recording and monitoring patient vital signs. ...
- Maintaining a detailed medical record. ...
- Drawing blood samples. ...
- Providing emotional support for patients.
(6) It is within the scope of LPN practice to perform peripheral venipuncture (to start IV or draw blood), flush peripheral, PICC and central lines for the purpose of ensuring patency if the following occurs: a.
What can an RN do that an LPN Cannot? ›RNs have a more expanded scope of practice than LPNs, in that they can perform diagnostic tests, administer medications, and educate patients on how to manage their health after treatment. RNs also oversee LPNs, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), and home health aides.
What is the difference between a LPN and a RN? ›A registered nurse (RN) completes either an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing and therefore has authority to assess and administer treatments, as opposed to a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who completes a shorter nursing program and accordingly provides more direct patient care.
Who do nurses marry the most? ›Female registered nurses are most likely to marry male managers or female registered nurses. Male registered nurses are most likely to marry female or male registered nurses. Nurse practitioners and midwives are most likely to marry miscellaneous managers, physicians and surgeons.
Which nurse is most in demand? ›What type of RN is most in demand? All RNs are in demand more than other occupations. The BLS projects 6% job growth for all RNs between 2021 and2031, compared to 5% job growth for all occupations. Some specialties that are in especially high demand are neonatal nursing, surgical nursing, and critical care nursing.
What type of nurse is the least stressful? ›Institutional Nurses
These nurses administer more basic care and typically don't have to work long hours and overnight shifts, so this field of nursing tends to be low-stress. Even with less excitement, these nurses find fulfillment in providing basic and family care to those in need.
Which nurses have the most burnout? ›
Critical care nurses suffer the highest rates of burnout.
This is mainly due to the nature of the job, as critical care nurses work specialize in the emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU). As such, their work environment is constantly fast-paced, meticulous, and demanding.
Registered nurses need a bachelor's degree in nursing, to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), and to obtain a state licensure to get started in the medical field. Nurse practitioners, on the other hand, must have earned a master's degree in nursing (MSN) or higher.
What is the lowest nurse called? ›1. Nursing assistant (CNA) Nursing assistants also go by the title of nursing aides or CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants). While these professionals are not technically nurses, they are on the frontline of contact between medical staff and patients—and the role can serve as a starting point for many aspiring nurses.
Which type of nurse has the lowest salary? ›Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) and Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) have the least education requirements among nurses and therefore tend to make lower incomes than other nursing specialties. LVNs and LPNs can increase their income by getting an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in nursing.
What type of nurse gets paid the least? ›For starters consider the main types of nursing careers. These include nurse practitioner (NP), registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and nursing aides or nursing assistants. Nursing aides make the least amount of money, and these jobs require the least amount of education and training.
What is the hardest thing to learn in nursing? ›- Pathophysiology. In this course, students learn how different anatomical systems work and how diseases or injuries affect these systems. ...
- Pharmacology. ...
- Medical Surgical 1 (also known as Adult Health 1) ...
- Evidence-Based Practice.
- Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) ...
- Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) ...
- Become a Nurse Midwife. ...
- Advance in Nurse Leadership. ...
- Begin travel nursing assignment. ...
- Change Nursing specialties. ...
- Relocate to a higher paying state. ...
- Make sacrifices.
Case in point, within all general areas of nursing, the Medical ICU, Trauma ICU, Peds ICU, Neonatal ICU, are perceived to require the highest skill set of nurses.
Can a nurse make $500,000 a year? ›Reeves said new nurses can make up to $500,000 by the age of 27, if they follow her step-by-step guide to success. “Want your life to look like mine? Then listen up,” she said on TikTok.
What do the top 10% of nurses make? ›According to Salary.com, research nurses earn an average of nearly $88,000 per year or over $42 per hour. The highest-paid research nurses (in the top 10% of all earners) can bring home more than $105,000 per year.
Why are nurses paid so much? ›
After the implementation of the nurse-to-staff ratios, “wage growth for RNs far outstripped wage growth in other states without such legislation,” the study says. High demand, the high cost of living and union power underlie the higher salaries of California's registered nurses.
Which city in Canada pays nurses the most? ›- Edmonton, AB. $50.77 per hour. 293 salaries reported.
- Scarborough, ON. $38.90 per hour. 383 salaries reported.
- Windsor, ON. $37.59 per hour. 351 salaries reported.
- London, ON. $37.46 per hour. 1.2k salaries reported.
- Toronto, ON. $37.07 per hour. ...
- Show more nearby cities.
Due to differences in experience, education, and overall qualifications, medical doctors make more than nurse practitioners in Canada. NPS makes around 90 to 110 thousand dollars a year, according to multiple sources, while MDs make triple that and even more, depending on their specialty.
Is a nurse or doctor better? ›Nurses Have a Greater Impact on Patients
Typically, doctors spend only a few minutes per day with each patient, diagnosing illness and prescribing treatment. Nurses spend much of their shift with patients, ensuring their overall well-being. Nurses serve as the liaison between patients and doctors.
Medical sciences
Being a doctor is probably the best-paid profession in Canada. Salaries can go as high as $300,000+ per year, especially for surgeons, cardiologists, radiologists, or anaesthesiologists.
The most stressful nursing jobs include ICU nurse, ER nurse, and NICU nurse. In these roles, nurses work in an intense environment with high stakes. They manage emergency situations and care for critically ill patients. Other stressful nursing jobs include OR nursing, oncology nursing, and psychiatric nursing.