Good news for nurses: Specialty nurses are earning more money than some doctors early in their careers, while also incurring less student loan debt.
Upon completion of medical school – which carries an average price tag of about $165,000 – physicians enter their residencies making an average salary of $60,000 their first year, reports the U.S. News and World Report. Conversely, nurse practitioners complete their education for about one-third of the cost and earn 60 percent more right out of school, while nurse anesthetists typically earn more than double.
While the doctor’s salary may ultimately surpass the nurse’s later in their careers, nurses also have the added benefit of completing their higher education in less time than a physician would – making nursing a viable career choice for individuals who are eager to help people in need.
According to Nurse.org, the top three highest paying nurse practitioner jobs are:
- General Nurse Practitioner
- Gerotological Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Additionally, Nurse.org lists the top three highest paying nursing specialties as:
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
- Pain Management Nurse
- Certified Nurse Midwife
For the full list of top paying nursing careers, click here.
If you’re a newly-registered nurse looking for specialized training, click here to learn more about HealthTrust’s StaRN program.
