Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Nurse types of nurses
There’s possibly more demand for nurses today than there has ever been before. The beauty of becoming a nurse is that there are so many different specialties to choose from, depending on your preferences. Here you’ll discover 20 of the fastest-growing and highest-paying nursing fields in 2022.
10 Fastest-Growing Nursing Jobs
-
Average Annual Salary: $72,000
Registered nurses work directly with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and other types of medical facilities.
The main tasks of a registered nurse include:
-
Analyzing patients
-
Helping medical staff conduct testing
-
Giving patients medication or treatments
-
Providing emotional support for patients and their families
-
Educating patients about their health or conditions
Many nurses who end up having a more niche specialty start by becoming registered nurses.
-
-
Average Annual Salary: $104,000
A nurse practitioner is somewhat similar to a registered nurse. However, a nurse practitioner can do things like prescribe treatments for patients, order tests, and even diagnose patients as a doctor would.
The main tasks of a nurse practitioner include:
-
Keeping patient’s medical history up to date
-
Collecting samples from patients
-
Ordering tests and other types of procedures
-
Performing exams and assessments
-
Creating treatment plans
-
Monitoring patients over time
Nurse practitioners are in extremely high demand today.
-
-
Average Annual Salary: $75,000
An ER nurse works in the high-stress environment of the emergency room.
The main tasks of an ER nurse include:
-
Thinking quick on their feet to develop a patient plan
-
Conducting patient evaluations on the spot for serious injuries or illnesses
-
Performing activities like setting bones, caring for wounds and giving people medication
-
Collecting samples after immediate treatment for further analysis
While all nursing roles require some level of patience, being an ER nurse in particular demands an extraordinary ability to stay cool under pressure. It’s definitely not the easiest nursing job in the world.
-
-
Geriatric Nurse
Average Annual Salary: N/A
A geriatric nurse is an entry-level position that works with elderly people.
The main tasks of a geriatric nurse include:
-
Preparing routine medications and IVs
-
Keeping track of patient behavior and reactions to drugs
-
Managing patient pain
-
Reporting any issues to other medical staff
-
Assisting with personal hygiene tasks
Geriatric nurses with at least three years of experience have the chance to become officially certified in gerontology.
-
-
Average Annual Salary: $71,000
An oncology nurse cares for patients who have different types of cancer.
The main tasks of an oncology nurse include:
-
Performing assessments on new patients
-
Developing and administering a personalized care plan for every patient
-
Providing medication and treatments as instructed by a doctor
-
Recording and reporting changes to the patient’s condition
-
Offering emotional support to the patient’s family
While being an oncology nurse is one of the most difficult specialties, it’s one of the fastest-growing and highest-paid nursing jobs available.
-
-
Average Annual Salary: $82,000
A travel nurse gets the benefit of going to new places all the time to perform their duties.
The main tasks of a travel nurse include:
-
Visiting the homes, schools, or other facilities to give medication, vaccinations, or perform tests on patients
-
Conducting typical nursing duties like wound care and patient monitoring in different types of environments
-
Educating patients about nutrition and maintaining health in general
-
Keeping equipment and supplies completely safe and sterile during travel
-
Performing nursing duties remotely when required
-
Traveling internationally when required
Many people enjoy the hustle and bustle of being a travel nurse. However, other people find the constant change very stressful.
-
-
Average Annual Salary: $58,000
A public health nurse works in public health departments to provide healthcare for the community.
The main tasks of a public health nurse include:
-
Providing assistance and health education at homes and community clinics
-
Instructing families on how to encourage a healthy lifestyle and care for their loved ones
-
Conducting immunization programs
-
Promoting disease prevention/control measures
Since public health nurses don’t work directly in the thick of the hectic medical world, it’s one of the least stressful nursing jobs.
-
-
Average Annual Salary: $75,000
A clinical nurse educator designs and teaches nursing programs to the next generation of nurses.
The main tasks of a clinical nurse educator include:
-
Creating and teaching an educational nursing curriculum
-
Writing educational tools like assignments and textbooks
-
Documenting nursing student’s progress
-
Consistently staying updated on technology and new developments in the nursing industry
Becoming a clinical nurse educator is a great alternative job for nurses who don’t want to work directly in the field anymore.
-
Certified Dialysis Nurse
Average Annual Salary: N/A
A certified dialysis nurse, also known as a nephrology nurse, supervises dialysis treatments for patients that have kidney failure.
The main tasks of a certified dialysis nurse include:
-
Checking patient’s vital signs throughout the dialysis
-
Monitoring patients throughout the dialysis process for any negative reactions
-
Notifying doctors if any issues arise
-
Working cohesively with doctors, dialysis technicians, and other medical staff
-
Teaching patients and their families about dialysis treatment options and kidney disease management
A big part of a certified dialysis nurse’s job is providing emotional support during an oftentimes grueling process.
-
-
Cardiac Nurse
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Cardiac nurses work with people who suffer from heart diseases.
The main tasks of a cardiac nurse include:
-
Acting as the right-hand-man to doctors when they perform tests to diagnose heart diseases
-
Helping to interpret cardiac test results like stress echocardiograms
-
Educating patients on the best ways to prevent or control chronic heart diseases
-
Assisting patients in managing their cardiac diseases
-
Monitoring patient’s heart devices like pacemakers
Cardiac nurses help people through the entire process of having a heart disease. With so many people suffering from heart disease in the United States alone, it’s an extremely in-demand nursing role.
-
Looking for a nurse job? These position are hiring now near you:
10 High-Paying Nursing Jobs
-
Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Neonatal intensive care nurses, or NICU nurses, care for premature or ill newborns.
The main tasks of a neonatal intensive care nurse include:
-
Providing constant care to premature or sick newborn infants
-
Performing basic infant care tasks like feeding and changing diapers
-
Conducting medical procedures when required
-
Acting as support to NICU doctors when medical procedures are required
-
Providing support to the newborns and their parents
Neonatal nurses provide an incredible and highly necessary service to families during one of the most trying times of their lives. Plus, the job revolves around caring for some of the most delicate patients. That’s why neonatal intensive care nurses are one of the highest-paid nursing specialties.
-
-
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Average Annual Salary: $118,000
A certified registered nurse anesthetist, commonly called a CRNA, are advanced-level nurses who administer anesthesia and monitor patients while surgery is happening.
The main tasks of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) include:
-
Preparing operating rooms and setting up equipment for surgery
-
Creating and putting into action an anesthetic plan
-
Constantly managing a patient’s respiratory status
-
Keeping an eye on patients before, during, and after a surgical or medical procedure
-
Requesting and assessing various diagnostic tests
Find Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) jobs near me
-
-
Average Annual Salary: $108,000
A certified nurse-midwife supports patients through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. They also sometimes work with people who have reproductive issues or STDs.
The main tasks of a certified nurse-midwife include:
-
Working cohesively with gynecologists, obstetricians, and other medical staff
-
Conducting standard screenings for patients
-
Helping mothers and families through conception, pregnancy, and postpartum care
-
Preparing for labor and assisting with the delivery process
-
Monitoring the health of mothers and their babies
-
Completing administrative tasks
Being a certified nurse midwife is not only a very highly paid nursing job, but it's also extremely rewarding. Unlike many nursing positions, you actually get to work with people who are excited instead of scared or sad.
-
-
Average Annual Salary: $86,000
An ICU nurse cares for patients in an intensive care unit, which usually means they’re in dire need of help. It’s a super high-stress position.
The main tasks of an intensive care unit nurse include:
-
Monitor patient progress consistently over time
-
Be alert to subtle changes in a patient’s condition
-
Giving doctors and patient’s families updates about the patient’s condition
-
Giving treatment and medication to patients as needed
-
Responding to medical emergencies appropriately.
ICU nurses need the ability to maintain a cool head under immense pressure.
-
-
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Average Annual Salary: $103,000
Psychiatric nurse practitioners are advanced-level nurses who provide mental health services to patients.
The main tasks of a psychiatric nurse practitioner include:
-
Giving outpatient and residential care to people struggling with their mental health
-
Working well with other medical staff
-
Assessing patient history and risk factors to determine the best course of action
-
Prescribing medications in accordance with their clinic’s policy and state laws
-
Clearly communicating with patients and their families about their condition
The specific responsibilities of a psychiatric nurse practitioner can differ dramatically depending on where they work.
-
-
Orthopedic Nurse
Average Annual Salary: N/A
An orthopedic nurse works with patients who have broken bones or other musculoskeletal injuries or diseases.
The main tasks of an orthopedic nurse include:
-
Working with other medical staff to treat a patient’s musculoskeletal conditions
-
Monitoring patient vitals and health conditions in general to report any changes
-
Administering pain prescriptions given by doctors
-
Keeping an eye out for any adverse reactions from medication
-
Managing patient hygiene like body cleaning and changing the bed if needed
-
Teaching patients about the best ways to manage their pain from illnesses and heal from injuries
Orthopedic nurses commonly work with athletes and elderly people who commonly suffer from musculoskeletal afflictions.
-
-
Average Annual Salary: $73,000
A surgical nurse is a person who cares for patients before, during, and after a surgical procedure.
The main tasks of a surgical nurse include:
-
Preparing preoperative instructions for patients
-
Supporting and preparing patients for surgery
-
Working cohesively with anesthetists and surgeons
-
Sterilizing equipment, setting up the operating room, and placing incision sites
-
Assisting if any complications arise
Being a surgical nurse is a mostly calm nursing specialty, but there is always the possibility that they have to jump in during a surgical emergency.
-
-
Pain Management Nurse
Average Annual Salary: N/A
As their title suggests, a pain management nurse works with patients to help them manage their pain from illnesses, injuries, or other conditions.
The main tasks of a pain management nurse include:
-
Communicating with patients about their symptoms and pain severity
-
Conducting physical examinations to better understand a patient’s condition
-
Providing patients with techniques and strategies for managing their pain
-
Creating a pain management plan and evaluating its effectiveness over time
Pain management nurses try to give patients a way to allievate their symptoms without taking narcotic pain relievers. It’s a difficult task, especially when you’re dealing with people who are really suffering.
-
-
Average Annual Salary: $70,000
A pediatric nurse specializes in working with children. They usually work in conjunction with a pediatrician or a family doctor.
The main tasks of a pediatric nurse include:
-
Speaking with child patients to assess their condition and check their vitals
-
Completing diagnostic tests or minor procedures when required
-
Administering medication to the child
-
Devising and using a treatment plan to address the child’s condition
-
Educating the child and their family members about the child’s condition
On top of all the nursing schooling and experience, pediatric nurses must be able to effectively communicate with children and handle worried parents.
-
-
Average Annual Salary: $72,000
A nurse administrator works on the executive side of things to manage nursing staff throughout a variety of facilities.
The main tasks of a nurse administrator include:
-
Being in charge of hiring and training nursing staff at various hospitals or in different departments
-
Assisting with budgeting and reporting a facility’s financial matters
-
Outlining policies and procedures so that everyone is on the same page
-
Completing performance reviews of all staff members
-
Assisting with budgeting and reporting a facility’s financial matters
-
Being the middle man between departments, nurses, and executive staff members
Being a nurse administrator is one of the highest-paid non-hospital nursing jobs. But, it comes with a great deal of responsibility.
-
Types of Nursing FAQ
-
What type of nurse gets paid the most?
A certified registered nurse anesthetist gets paid the most, with an average salary of nearly $200,000. Some certified registered nurse anesthetists make up to half a million dollars per year.
-
What are the four levels of nursing?
The four levels of nursing in order are nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Each level of nursing requires more education, certifications, and experience. It can take up to 5 years to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
-
Which type of nursing is best?
The best type of nursing for making money is being a registered nurse anesthetist. This is the highest-paying nursing specialty.
However, the best type of nursing for people who don’t like a strict routine is a travel nurse. Additionally, being a nurse administrator is the best type of nursing job that doesn’t require any work on the ground in a hospital. So, “the best” type of nursing depends on the person who is pursuing the career and their preferences.
By - Chris Kolmar
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job.
His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.