A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree opens many doors, one of which is to a high paying position. Most students don’t choose a career in nursing to bring home a large salary, but earning a comfortable one doesn’t hurt. For those with a BSN degree or considering earning a BSN, the five highest paying positions are:

  • Certified registered nurse anesthetist
  • Pain management nurse
  • General nurse practitioner
  • Gerontological nurse practitioner
  • Psychiatric nurse practitioner

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Certified registered nurse anesthetists prepare and administer anesthesia to those who need surgery. In this line of work, your BSN degree is likely to bring you high pay. According to estimates, nurses with this specialty earn an average of $133,000 annually, making it the highest paying nursing specialty. If chemistry comes naturally to you, then this career field is a good choice. Because you’ll be working with surgeons, podiatrists, dentists, anesthesiologists and other healthcare professionals, you’ll thrive if your people skills are well-developed. Along with your BSN, you’ll need to obtain a master’s degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia program.

Pain Management Nurse

If you become a pain management nurse, then it will be your responsibility to help manage the pain of patients when they come out of surgery. You should also plan to work with those who suffer from chronic pain issues. Pain management nurses are part of a healthcare team, one that works to determine the cause of people’s pain and the best way to treat it. They also educate patients about how to manage their own pain while advising them about ways to avoid an addiction to prescribed medication. With a BSN degree, you’ll be high up on the pay scale when you specialize in pain management. In this line of work, the average annual salary is around $90,000.

General Nurse Practitioner

If you head into a career as a general nurse practitioner, then you’ll have the option of opening an independent practice or working within a primary care setting. General nurse practitioners take care of patients as a doctor would. The field also gives you the chance to advance your education and skills, which has the added benefit of higher pay. This is a career where good pay comes with a BSN degree. In fact, the average salary for those who work as a general nurse practitioner is $97,990 annually.

Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

When people age, their health problems become more complicated, requiring them to need specialized care. If you prefer to work with the elderly, then consider a career as a gerontological nurse practitioner. In this specialty, you’ll work for hospitals and clinics. Plan to become certified. Also, consider that today’s longer lifespans are resulting in a greater need for this type of care. The average salary for gerontological nurse practitioners is an estimated $95,000 annually. This is a position where patience and compassion are needed, so if you’re naturally this kind of person, then you’ll be well-suited to the field.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

When you get a BSN degree, high pay will likely be a part of the package. If you decide to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner, then you’ll be helping those who suffer from mental health problems. Mental health is finally gaining the attention that it has long deserved. Because of this, the need for nurses is predicted to grow. In fact, those who specialize in the field will likely become sought after. On average, psychiatric nurse practitioners earn $90,000 a year. The psychiatric profession is complex, so plan to obtain your master’s degree, one that features a specialty in psychiatric nursing.

Helpful and Profitable

To thrive in this line of work, helping others must be your highest priority, so do some soul searching to make sure that the nursing field is for you. Not only will you have the training to help people when they need it most, but you’ll also make a good living while doing so. Keep in mind that high pay typically goes hand-in-hand with a BSN degree.

Related Resources:
Top 10 Cheap Online RN to BSN Degree Programs
30 Best Affordable RN-BSN Degree Programs
Cheapest Accredited Online RN to BSN Programs to Most Expensive