How much does a nurse practitioner make?
The truth is, it depends on where you are and what specialty you choose. Before deciding, you should know how much money you can make in your chosen field.
Being a nurse practitioner can be a great career choice. The field of medicine is constantly growing and needs good professionals, and NPs are at the forefront of providing patient care. The field of medicine is also vast; pay varies tremendously within each specialty.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in 2021 the average nurse practitioner's salary was $118,040 per year.
Nurse practitioners earn more than nurses because they have more responsibility and autonomy over patient care. Read on to learn about all the types of Nurse Practitioner Specialities and the salaries for each.
What Are the Most Lucrative Nurse Practitioner Specialties?
If you're looking to enter the nursing field, it's essential to understand what each of the different specialties entails and how they will impact your salary. Let's take a look at some of the most popular ones.
1. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
How much do psychiatric nurse practitioners make? Let's look into the responsibilities and salary and compare it.
Average salary per year
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Responsibilities
Some nurse practitioners specialize in psychiatric care for patients with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Psychiatric nurse practitioners may also specialize in treating children with developmental disorders such as ADHD or autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
The duties of a psychiatric nurse practitioner may include:
Screening new patients for psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders;
Conducting diagnostic interviews;
Performing physical examinations;
Providing psychotherapy sessions;
Prescribing medications;
Referring patients to other health care professionals when necessary;
2. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
How much do neonatal nurse practitioners make? Along with the average base salary, they also get the standard perks of the job.
Average salary per year
Responsibilities
A neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) is a registered nurse who has received additional education in the specialty of neonatal care. They are trained to provide medical care for babies born prematurely or with severe health conditions. NNPs may also be called perinatal nurses or pediatric nurse practitioners.
Neonatal nurses are often involved with complex care for newborns and infants who require intensive medical intervention. In addition to providing direct patient care, neonatal nurses may lead quality improvement projects and perform research related to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) management.
Some duties that neonatal nurse practitioners perform include:
Observing and evaluating newborns for signs of illness or medical problems.
Providing health education to parents and families about newborn care, including information about breastfeeding, immunizations, and child safety.
Working with physicians to develop treatment plans for newborns who have health issues.
Monitoring newborns for signs of infection and other medical complications after they leave the hospital's NICU (neonatal intensive care unit).
Administering vaccines to prevent diseases such as diphtheria or tetanus
3. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Average salary per year
Responsibilities
Acute care nurse practitioners, or ACNPs, specialize in diagnosing and treating patients who are experiencing an emergency or acute situation. These nurses are trained to provide immediate care to patients with life-threatening conditions such as a heart attack or stroke. They also provide long-term care for patients recovering from acute illnesses or injuries.
The duties of an ACNP include:
Performing physical exams and diagnosing illness, disease, or injury
Ordering diagnostic tests such as x-rays or lab work
Treating patients with medications like antibiotics or pain relievers
Developing a treatment plan based on patient history and symptoms
Providing education about a patient's condition to other medical staff members
Their focus is solely on caring for the adult population with complex diseases.
4. Emergency Nurse Practitioner
Average salary per year
Responsibilities
Emergency NP typically works in an emergency room or urgent care center. They provide immediate care to patients who have come into the ER with serious injuries. They also help stabilize patients so they can be transferred to another hospital where they can receive specialized treatment. They may also see patients who walk into their offices because they feel ill.
Duties include:
Provide emergency care to patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries before an emergency physician stabilizes them.
Diagnose patients' conditions and provide initial treatment for trauma, burns, and other acute injuries.
Assess the patient's condition and determine the proper course of treatment.
Administer emergency medications and provide basic first aid, including splinting fractures and controlling bleeding.
Work well in high-pressure environments,
5. Oncology Nurse Practitioner
Average salary per year
Responsibilities
Oncology Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses with advanced practice degrees in cancer care. They provide advanced nursing services for patients with cancer and other chronic illnesses, including hematology, pulmonary medicine, neurology, and cardiology. They also have expertise in pain management, palliative care, supportive care, and symptom management, including chemotherapy side effects such as nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and pain management.
Duties of Oncology Nurse Practitioner:
Treat cancer patients on an outpatient basis.
Advise patients about treatment options, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Provide emotional support to patients and their families.
Provide education about cancer prevention, screening, and early detection.
Collaborate with other health care professionals to coordinate patient care.
6. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Wondering how much Pediatric Nurse practitioners make?
Average salary per year
Responsibilities
Pediatric nurse practitioners work with children from infancy through adolescence. They can provide various services, including diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries, providing preventative care, and counseling on the health issues of young patients.
Some of the primary duties include:
Assess patient symptoms, history, and physical examination findings for diagnosis and treatment plans
Perform diagnostic tests, order lab work and imaging studies as needed
Prescribe medications or recommend referrals to specialists when necessary
Educate patients about their conditions and treatments
7. Family Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner is one of the most demanding specialties, but how much does a family nurse practitioner make?
Average salary per year
Responsibilities
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is one of the most popular NPs because they provide primary care for patients of all ages. They can be found in hospitals, clinics, and private practices and work for health departments and community health centers.
If you want to be a “jack of all trades” type of NP, the FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified) designation allows you the most flexibility to work within a healthcare setting or to open your practice.
FNP's may provide a variety of services, including:
Provides physical exams for newborns, children, and adults
Checks vital signs; performs tests
Gives vaccinations
Reviews medical history
Writes prescriptions for medications
Refers to patients for more specialized care when needed
Educates patients about their illness or condition (e.g., diabetes).
8. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Average salary per year
Responsibilities
Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNPs) specialize in caring for adults across the lifespan. AGNPs are educated to provide primary and specialty care and often become community leaders.AGNPs are more cost-effective than physicians, according to a review of multiple American Academy of Family Physicians studies.
Primary duties include:
Take care of patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and other age-related ailments.
Provide preventive care and screenings to promote long-term health.
Refer patients to other specialists when needed.
Perform physical exams and diagnose conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid disease.
Order lab tests and x-rays as needed.
9. Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
Average salary per year
Responsibilities
Orthopedic nurse practitioners are responsible for diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal problems in patients. They also educate patients and their families about the best ways to prevent injury and illness. They may participate in surgery or other procedures but often refer patients to a surgeon or specialist if they need this treatment.
Mainly, an orthopedic nurse practitioner will focus on one type of problem. For example, a hip replacement specialist might treat patients injured in car accidents or sports-related injuries. A back pain specialist might treat people who have chronic back pain due to an injury or disease such as arthritis.
Duties include:
Diagnose and treat musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.
Provide education and care for patients with orthopedic injuries.
Advise patients on exercise techniques and proper body mechanics to prevent future injury.
Provide care for individuals with chronic or acute musculoskeletal problems.
Evaluate patients' range of motion, muscle strength and stability, joint alignment, balance, gait patterns, and mobility limitations before performing physical therapy exercises or recommending surgery.
10. Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner
Average salary per year
Responsibilities
Aesthetic nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who have completed a master's degree in nursing focusing on cosmetic surgery and skin care. They are trained to provide medical and surgical treatment for the face, neck, eyes, and body. These nurses can perform botulinum toxin injections to reduce wrinkles, perform laser procedures and administer skin care products such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion.
Primary duties include:
Perform skin assessments and diagnose skin conditions.
Provide medical and surgical treatment options, including injections, fillers, peels, and lasers.
Manage patient expectations by educating them on their condition and treatment options.
11. Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Average salary per year
Responsibilities
Women's health nurse practitioners specialize in treating women of all ages. They often focus on reproductive health issues and conditions such as menopause or pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). Women's health NPs may provide primary care services, including routine exams, vaccinations, and gynecological care.
Duties of Women's Health Nurse Practitioners:
Perform gynecological exams on patients of all ages
Order lab tests for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and other conditions
Treat minor infections such as yeast infections or urinary tract infections (UTIs) using antibiotics or over-the-counter medications.
Provide counseling on contraception options such as birth control pills or intrauterine devices (IUDs)
Initiate hormone therapy treatment for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness
12. Anesthetic Nurse Practitioner
Average salary per year
Responsibilities
The Anesthetic Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed an advanced practice education program and is licensed to provide anesthesia. The ANP’s scope of practice includes working with the anesthesiologist to administer anesthesia care, monitor patient status before, during, and after surgery, and manage postoperative pain.
They may also assist in developing treatment plans for patients suffering from chronic pain issues and other endocrine disorders.
Primary duties include:
Monitor patients throughout the perioperative period
Preparation of the operating room before surgery
Monitoring of vital signs and lab values during surgery
Postoperative care (including post-anesthesia care unit)
Conclusion
Knowledge of how much a Nurse Practitioner makes may help guide you in your career path selection. It is important to note that your total compensation will include more than just salary, such as health insurance and retirement benefits.
The specialty type and practice setting may also provide added income opportunities, so consider the scope of what the title of Nurse Practitioner encompasses before arriving at a decision.
Nurse practitioners are growing in numbers; whether you are interested in working locally or nationally, or if you have another reason for wanting to be a nurse practitioner, now is a great time to explore your options.
FAQ's
What is the most challenging nurse practitioner specialty?
The most challenging nurse practitioner specialty is Critical Care Nurse Practitioner.
This specialty works with critically ill patients, often in the ICU or emergency room. They diagnose and treat many problems, from heart attacks to strokes and infections to kidney failure.
The work is intense and demanding, but this might be the perfect specialty if you enjoy helping people through some of their most difficult times!
Which NP is most in demand?
The most popular NP specialty is Family NP.
A family practice nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has received additional training to work as a primary care provider. They can diagnose, treat and manage chronic illnesses, minor injuries, and routine health issues. They can also prescribe medications in many states.
What is the highest-paid nurse practitioner specialty?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is the highest-paid nurse practitioner specialty.
Is becoming a nurse practitioner worth it?
YES. Becoming a nurse practitioner is worth it for many reasons—most notably, the high demand for nurse practitioners and the many available job opportunities.
