17 Types of Nurses: Job Outlook & Salary
Nurses are so much more than only care providers. They can be communicators, educators, counsellors, leaders, and more. These professionals are essential to every society, as they help ensure the well-being of each person.
The many duties, responsibilities, and roles that nursing professionals carry out led to the division of nursing jobs in a number of positions. So, what kinds of nurses are there? Read on and find out!
Types of Nurses: Job Outlook and Salaries
If you are set on pursuing a nursing career but are unsure of what particular journey you want to follow, read on as we go through 17 types of nurses, the job outlook of each, and what salary to expect for every position.
1. Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) provides direct health care to patients, often under the supervision of a nurse. To work in this position, you must first complete a state-approved course and then successfully complete the Certified Nursing Assistant Exam, consisting of a written exam portion and the clinical skills test.
Reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that the overall employment of certified nursing assistants is expected to experience an 8% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for a certified nursing assistant in the United States is $36,057. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level positions to this job is $26,160 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $49,698 per year.
2. Licensed practical nurse (LPN) and licensed vocational nurse (LVN)
Licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses, under the supervision of more advanced nurses, provide care to nursing patients who are sick, injured, or disabled. These nurses operate by following professional standards of care.
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Reports from BLS show that the overall employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is expected to experience a 9% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for a licensed practical nurse in the United States is $53,896. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level positions to this job is $38,199 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $76,044 per year.
On the other hand, the average salary for a licensed vocational nurse in the United States is $56,552. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level positions to this job is $41,740 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $76,620 per year.
3. Registered nurse (RN)
Registered nurses (RN) are responsible for overseeing the patient’s health care program through collaborating with doctors and other healthcare team members, as well as for providing support to the patients, their families, and friends. There are different types of nurses who are trained as registered nurses but then specialize in a particular are. Throughout this article, you will read about a few of them.
Reports from BLS show that the overall employment of registered nurses is expected to experience a 9% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for a registered nurse in the United States is $71,404. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level registered nurse positions to this job is $50,322 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $101,317 per year.
4. Home care registered nurse
Home care registered nurses travel to the patients' homes in order to perform their general healthcare duties, like checking the patient's vitals, dressing wounds if necessary, and administering medicine.
Like the employment of all other registered nurses, home care RNs are expected to experience a 9% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for a home care registered nurse in the United States is $49,673. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level positions to this job is $24,063 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $102,541 per year.
5. Emergency room registered nurse
An emergency room registered nurse is the first to help patients who need urgent medical attention, whether because of an accident, allergic reaction, or any other case. They work with doctors and other nurses in healthcare facilities to quickly and thoroughly evaluate the patient's condition.
Emergency room RNs, as part of registered nurses, are also expected to experience a 9% growth in employment from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for an emergency room registered nurse in the United States is $72,744. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level positions to this job is $53,412 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $99,073 per year.
6. Health informatics nurse specialist
Health informatics nurse specialists work closely with other healthcare specialists and combine medical knowledge with information technology. These nurses apply their skills and knowledge to help further develop computerized health care systems.
Reports from BLS show that the overall employment of health information specialists is expected to experience a 9% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for a health informatics nurse specialist in the United States is $72,161. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level positions to this job is $47,108 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $110,539 per year.
7. Nurse practitioner
A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse who can work as part of a team or independently dealing with all aspects of patient care. They are responsible for conducting various healthcare tests, functioning as the patient's primary healthcare provider, and prescribing medications.
Reports from BLS show that the overall employment of nurse practitioners is expected to experience a 45% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for a nurse practitioner in the United States is $121,049. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level positions to this job is $79,270 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $184,847 per year.
8. Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
To become an advanced practice registered nurse, you must earn a graduate-level degree and meet clinical practice requirements. Such nurses are found in various healthcare facilities, helping diagnose and then treat illnesses.
As part of nurse practitioners, advanced practice registered nurses are expected to experience a 45% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for an advanced practice registered nurse in the United States is $114,722. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level positions to this job is $71,083 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $185,152 per year.
9. Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
Clinical nurse specialists are RNs with advanced education and training in the clinical area of nursing practice, and they work in a variety of settings. These professionals use their skills and knowledge to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients.
As other RNs, clinical nurses' employment is expected to experience a 9% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for a clinical nurse specialist in the United States is $80,338. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level registered nurse positions to this job is $48,989 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $131,749 per year.
10. Nurse educator
Nurse educators are professionals with an RN license who focus more on theory than practice, studying education techniques and research, as well as teaching and mentoring the younger generation of nurses during their education and throughout the whole nursing career.
As registered nurses with advanced education, the overall employment of nurse educators is expected to experience a 9% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for a nurse educator in the United States is $86,686. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level registered nurse positions to this job is $61,698 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $121,795 per year.
11. Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
Certified registered nurse anesthetists are advanced practice registered nurses who administer anaesthesia to patients as well as medication before and after the procedure. These professionals are also responsible for keeping the patients informed about their surgery and recovery.
As a specialised type of registered nurse, the overall employment of CRNAs is expected to experience a 9% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for a certified registered nurse anesthesist in the United States is $181,557. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level registered nurse positions to this job is $131,813 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $250,073 per year.
12. Geriatric nursing
Geriatric Nurses are entry-level RNs specialized in treating the physical and mental health of older adults. These nurses are expected to obtain knowledge of gerontology and be skilled in working with and helping older adults maintain their health.
As a type of registered nurse, the overall employment of geriatric nurses is expected to experience a 9% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for a geriatric nurse in the United States is $71,464. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level registered nurse positions to this job is $48,461 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $105,388 per year.
13. Mental health nurse
Mental health nurses are registered nurses who have obtained specialized training to help diagnose and monitor patients' mental health and behavioural conditions, as well as deliver the most suitable health care plan to help them. In some cases, they work with individuals, whereas they work with groups or communities in others.
As registered nurses with specialised training, the overall employment of mental health nurses is expected to experience a 9% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for a mental health nurse in the United States is $53,583. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level registered nurse positions to this job is $33,455 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $85,820 per year.
14. Pediatric nurse
A pediatric nurse is another type of registered nurse. These nurses specialize in taking care of children, from birth to adolescence, by evaluating their conditions, completing diagnostic tests, administering medication, and creating plans related to their healthcare.
Pediatric nurses are registered nurses, so their overall employment is expected to experience a 9% growth from 2020 to 2030
The average salary for a pediatric nurse in the United States is $69,023. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level registered nurse positions to this job is $45,680 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $104,294 per year.
15. Nurse-midwife
A nurse-midwife is a healthcare professional who primarily assists women during childbirth, throughout pregnancy, and postpartum. When needed, they work in collaboration with doctors or provide references to specialists for diagnosing and treating patients.
The overall employment of nurse-midwives is expected to experience a 45% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for a nurse-midwife in the United States is $102,070. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level registered nurse positions to this job is $72,663 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $143,380 per year.
16. Public health nurse
Public health nurses are professionals who have been trained as registered nurses and now are involved with the public policy and planning of the health of an entire population. Generally, they are responsible for developing and supporting programs regarding community healthcare. However, when needed, they are also trained to provide direct care of patients.
Since public health nurses are a type of registered nurse, their overall employment is expected to experience a 9% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for a public health nurse in the United States is $68,644. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level registered nurse positions to this job is $44,640 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $105,556 per year.
17. Travel nurse
Travel nurses are registered nurses who generally work in temporary roles at various healthcare facilities, helping fill the gaps in whatever area is experiencing a nursing shortage. Their responsibilities and duties are similar to those of traditional RNs, such as collaborating with other healthcare professionals to administer care and medication to patients.
Travel nurses are also registered nurses, so their overall employment is expected to experience a 9% growth from 2020 to 2030.
The average salary for a travel nurse in the United States is $96,475. The lowest recorded salary for entry-level registered nurse positions to this job is $55,155 per year, whereas higher positions earn up to $168,752 per year.
Conclusion
Now that you know more about the pool of opportunities that comes with nursing, you can begin to narrow your choices. Each position has a bright future, as all nurses continue to be in high demand and to be paid generously. So, regardless of which type you pick, you will not be making a wrong choice. Still, aim for the ones that seem more suitable to your preferences.
There is no time like the present to begin your journey towards helping save lives.