There is a major shortage in nurses in this country today.  Hospitals already have budget to hire nurses, however there are not enough people to fill all the available positions. Be one of those people that retrain themselves to get a better job with a higher salary a lead a more fulfilling life.  By going back to school and getting your nursing degree and associated credentials, these 10 positions are just a few examples of the nursing jobs that are available and waiting to be filled.

1) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist – $135,000 -A Nurse Anesthetist, or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), is a licensed professional nurse who provides the same anesthesia services as an anesthesiologist (MD). After completing a nursing degree and associated credentials, CRNAs become nationally certified; they may then practice in all 50 states. Working closely with other health care professionals such as surgeons, dentists, podiatrists and anesthesiologists, a CRNA takes care of a patient’s anesthesia needs before, during and after surgery or the delivery of a baby by:

* Performing a physical assessment
* Participating in preoperative teaching
* Preparing for anesthetic management
* Administering anesthesia to keep the patient pain free
* Maintaining anesthesia intra-operatively
* Overseeing recovery from anesthesia
* Following the patient’s postoperative course from recovery room to patient care unit

Nurse Anesthetists stay with their patients for the entire procedure, constantly monitoring every important body function and individually modifying the anesthetic to ensure maximum safety and comfort. CRNAs administer approximately 65% of the 26 million anesthetics given to patients in the United States each year.

2) Nurse Researcher – $95,000 – Nurses in this field improve patient care by translating research findings into practice innovations at the bedside. They are responsible for conducting research, analyzing data, solving clinical problems, writing grants, and sharing their findings with the larger healthcare community.

3) Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner – $95,000- Also called Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, these men and women are advanced practice registered nurses who provide a full spectrum of psychiatric care, assessing, diagnosing, and managing the prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders and mental health problems. They work in various settings, from clinics to hospitals.

4) Certified Nurse Midwife – $84,000- Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) provide health care including emotional and physical support to women before, during, and after childbirth. They are registered nurses with specialized training in assisting pregnant women and their newborn babies. CNMs must complete an accredited program of study and clinical experience in obstetrical care. Certified nurse midwives participate in a variety of services that include providing gynecological services like Pap smears and breast examinations, advising women about reproductive health and personal care, and monitoring the health of the mother and fetus during pregnancy. They also perform complete prenatal care including abdominal and pelvic examinations and evaluations. Another important service that CNMs provide is educating women and their families about childbirth methods, infant care, nutrition, and proper exercise. They work closely with obstetricians and other physicians when medical treatments and medications are necessary. Certified nurse midwives have played a vital role in drastically reducing the maternal and infant death rate in this country. Anyone interested in this field of nursing should enjoy working with people and be able to develop strong interpersonal relationships.

5) Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse – $81,000- Nurses in this field provide care and support to children and their families relating to diseases of the endocrine system, the various glands that secrete directly into the blood or lymph. These men and women help patients and the families of patients dealing with problems of physical growth and sexual development in childhood, as well as diabetes, obesity, and other disorders of the endocrine glands.

6) Orthopedic Nurse – $81,000- Nurses in this field provide care and support for patients with musculoskeletal diseases, educating the patients and the families about self-care and available support systems.

7) Nurse Practitioner – $78,000- A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) who has completed advanced education (a minimum of a master’s degree) and training in the diagnosis and management of common medical conditions, including chronic illnesses. Nurse practitioners provide a broad range of health care services. They provide some of the same care provided by physicians and maintain close working relationships with physicians. An NP can serve as a patient’s regular health care provider.

Clinical Nurse Specialist – $76,000- These nurses addresses the practice of diagnosing and treating to prevent, remediate, or alleviate illness/suffering and promote health within =hospitals, clinics, doctors offices, etc.– regardless of specialty.-

9) Gerontological Nurse Practitioner – $75,000- A GNP is a registered nurse with a master’s degree from a nurse practitioner program that specializes in the care of older adults. GNPs are educated to diagnose and manage acute and chronic diseases, taking a holistic approach to meet the medical, psychosocial, and functional needs of older patients.

10) Neonatal Nurse – $74,000- Certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioners practice as nurse practitioners in  Level I nurseries and newborn facilities, Level II and III neonatal intensive care nurseries, private practices and follow-up clinics.