Top 10 nursing jobs to pursue in 2023
Nursing is not just about caring for patients. There are many job opportunities that nursing graduates and licensed nurses can explore. From different nursing specialties to nursing assignments outside of the hospital, you can find different jobs for you. NurseDeck has rounded up the top 10 nursing jobs to pursue in 2023.
1. Cardiac nurse
Topping the list of top 10 nursing jobs to pursue in 2023 is a nurse specialty for cardiac and pulmonary cases. A cardiac nurse takes care of treatment for patients with conditions in these specialties.
This is a highly specialized role with tasks that include helping with diagnostic procedures, managing patient conditions, giving medications and treatments, and monitoring progress.
Cardiac nurses can earn up to $4,000 a week. This specialty has an average salary of $179,000 per year.
2. Pediatric nurse
Another specialty role, a pediatric nurse cares for children and teenagers. This may be in the hospital, clinic, or any other medical facility. If you enjoy the presence of kids or are good with young ones, then this nursing job might be for you.
A pediatric nurse ensures that young patients take their medicines on time, get the diagnostic exams that they need, and follow the treatment plan designed for them by their doctor and other healthcare professionals.
When it comes to salary, a pediatric nurse can earn an average of $167,000 every year.
3. Operating room nurse
An operating room nurse is part of our top 10 nursing jobs to pursue in 2023. Nurses who enjoy time in the operating room (OR) and assisting in surgeries will take a liking to this position.
Operating room nurses work closely with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and other doctors to ensure that the patient is ready and well for surgery. It is the responsibility of the operating room nurse to prepare equipment, the OR, and patients before their surgery. This kind of nurse also assists in the OR.
Expect a salary per year of about $160,700 with this job position.
4. Nurse anesthetist
If you like the surgery setting but are not into being an OR nurse, then the nurse anesthetist position is an option. Nurse anesthetists are highly trained and specialized as they work closely with the anesthesiology department of the hospital.
Tasks of a nurse anesthetist include giving anesthesia medication to patients who are bound for surgery. Part of their responsibilities is also to check the vital signs of their patients, especially before, during, and after surgery.
Nurse anesthetists are paid well with a yearly income of $150,700.
5. Dialysis nurse
Assigned to the nephrology department, a dialysis nurse is in charge of caring for patients who undergo dialysis procedures. These patients experience kidney problems and need specialized care.
During dialysis, dialysis nurses ensure that their patients are ready for treatment. They also assist as dialysis takes place. On top of that, dialysis nurses monitor the progress of their patients.
Nurses who work at a dialysis center earn an average of $129,600 a year.
6. Travel nurse
You can still practice your nursing profession even without signing up with a healthcare facility full-time. Travel nursing has grown in popularity in the past years, especially with the prevalence of nurse understaffing.
As a travel nurse, you get assignments in different hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities for a certain number of shifts. In a nutshell, you work as a reliever as you cover for unavailable nurses or when the staffing gets overwhelmed. Your role depends on the available nursing position at your medical facility.
The average annual salary of travel nurses is pegged at $126,000.
7. School nurse
Nurses who prefer a slow-paced environment will enjoy working as a school nurse. Whenever a student feels sick or gets injured within the school grounds, the school nurse takes care of him/her.
Aside from giving treatment, school nurses also serve as liaison officers to parents and guardians. School nurses also manage outbreaks should they occur.
Not as big as the other nursing jobs, you will get a yearly salary of $59,600 per year as a school nurse.
8. Public health nurse
Advocating for proper healthcare in communities, a public health nurse raises public awareness of health issues. Nurses who choose the public health sector implement educational drives that teach the public how to prevent illnesses and come up with solutions to cure existing healthcare issues.
Public health nurses have an annual income of $63,000 per year.
9. Nurse informaticist
Though not a traditional nursing job, being a nurse informaticist is an interesting role — and it pays well, too! As a nurse informaticist, your job is to integrate information technology into healthcare. This means using technology and tools to make healthcare systems, initiatives, and programs more efficient.
Nurse informaticists on average earn $152,600 per year, making it one of the top 10 nursing jobs to pursue in 2023.
10. Nurse recruiter
Another non-traditional position in our list of top 10 nursing jobs to pursue in 2023 is a nurse recruiter. As the name suggests, a nurse recruiter helps in the recruitment process of nurses — from job posting to screening applicants and ensuring that they have the educational background, license, and skills for the role they are applying for.
Nurse recruiters are paid $57,500 a year.
Choosing the best nursing job to pursue in 2023
Consider many factors in picking from the list of top 10 nursing jobs to pursue in 2023. Aside from the salary, also take a look at the responsibilities, pace of work, environment, and if the role is something you will enjoy.