Types of Nurses: Discover Your Perfect Nursing Path

(Estimated reading time: 10 minutes)

Nursing is one of the most diverse fields in healthcare. It offers countless opportunities for career growth and specialization. Are you considering a career in nursing or want to understand different types of nurses in healthcare settings?

This guide will explain the different nursing roles and their salaries in the United States. You’ll also discover the unique specialties and paths available in modern healthcare settings. 

Basic Nursing Roles

When we look at it from a patient’s perspective, we will assume that there is only one type of nurse. However, depending on the specialization, there are different types of nurses. Here are the different types of nurses:

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)

Average Annual Salary for LPN and LVN in the US: $ 60,790 per year

Source:  United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023)

Licensed Practical Nurses, also known as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) in some states, represent the entry level of nursing practice. These professionals provide basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. Their duties typically include:

• Taking vital signs
• Administering basic medications
• Helping patients with daily activities
• Maintaining patient records
• Providing basic wound care

Educational Requirements:

• Diploma or certificate from an accredited practical nursing program
• Program length: 12-18 months
• Must pass the NCLEX-PN examination
• Continuing education requirements vary by state

Registered Nurses (RN)

Average Annual Salary for RN in the US: $ 80,321 per year

Source: ZipRecruiter

Registered Nurses form the backbone of the healthcare system. With experience and specialization, these types of nurses can earn upwards of $120,000 annually, particularly in high-cost urban areas or specialized units. Their responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing patient care plans
• Administering medications and treatments
• Coordinating with healthcare team members
• Educating patients and families
• Supervising LPNs and nursing assistants

Educational Requirements: 

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): 2-3 years or
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): 4 years
• Must pass the NCLEX-RN examination
• Many employers prefer or require a BSN

Different Specialized Nursing Roles

Beyond the essential nursing roles, different types of specialized nurses require additional training and expertise. These specialized nurses focus on specific patient populations or healthcare settings and often command higher salaries due to their advanced skills.

Critical Care Nurses (CCN)

Average Annual Salary for CCN in the US: $86,982 per year

Source: Payscale

Critical care nurses work in intensive care units (ICUs) and specialize in treating patients with life-threatening conditions. Moreover, critical care nurses often earn higher salaries due to the demanding nature of their work and the additional certifications required. These highly skilled professionals must:

• Monitor complex medical equipment
• Respond quickly to changes in patient condition
• Manage multiple life-support systems
• Provide specialized care for critically ill patients

Educational Requirements:

• BSN preferred
• Additional certifications:
  • Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
  • Required clinical experience: 1,750-2,000 hours in critical care

Emergency Room Nurses

Average Annual Salary for ER Nurses in the US: $86,737  per year

Source: ZipRecruiter

ER nurses can earn premium pay due to the high-stress environment and need for extensive trauma care experience. Additionally, ER nurses work in fast-paced emergency departments, where they must:

• Quickly assess patient conditions
• Prioritize care based on severity
• Handle trauma cases
• Coordinate with emergency response teams

Educational Requirements:

• BSN preferred
• Certifications:
  • Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
  • Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
  • Minimum 2 years of ER experience for certification

Operating Room Nurses

Average Annual Salary for OR Nurses in the US: $94,573  per year

Source: ZipRecruiter

Also known as perioperative nurses, these type of nurses work before, during, and after surgical procedures. Perioperative nurses often earn higher salaries due to their specialized skills and the technical nature of their work. Their responsibilities include:

• Preparing operating rooms
• Assisting surgeons
• Managing surgical equipment
• Monitoring patients during surgery
• Coordinating post-operative care

Educational Requirements:

• BSN preferred
• Certification:
  • CNOR (Certified Perioperative Nurse)
  • Required: 2 years and 2,400 hours of perioperative experience

Pediatric Nurses

Average Annual Salary for Pedia Nurses in the US: $89,855  per year

Source: Glassdoor

Pediatric nurses specialize in caring for children from infancy through adolescence. In addition, pediatric nurses’ salaries can vary based on their setting (hospital vs. clinic) and additional certifications. They must:

• Understand developmental stages
• Communicate effectively with children and parents
• Provide age-appropriate care
• Recognize pediatric-specific health conditions

Educational Requirements:

• BSN preferred
• Certification:
  • Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
  • Required: 1,800 hours of pediatric nursing experience

Psychiatric Nurses

Average Annual Salary for Psychiatric Nurses in the US: $98,220  per year

Source:  United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023)

Mental health nurses may earn additional compensation for working in high-risk environments or obtaining specialized certifications. Moreover, mental health nurses work with patients experiencing psychological and emotional disorders. Their duties include:

• Conducting mental health assessments
• Administering psychiatric medications
• Providing therapeutic support
• Managing crises

Educational Requirements:

• BSN preferred
• Certification:
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC)
  • Required: 2 years of practice in psychiatric nursing

Different Advanced Practice Nursing Roles

APRNs have completed additional education beyond their RN qualification, typically holding at least a master’s degree. These types of nurses can often practice independently and have prescriptive authority in many states. Their higher education and expanded scope of practice command significantly higher salaries.

Nurse Practitioners

Average Annual Salary for NPs in the US: $128,490  per year

Source:  United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023)

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) often earn the highest salaries among nursing professionals, particularly those in private practice or specialized fields. NPs provide primary and specialty care, often functioning similarly to physicians. They can:

• Diagnose and treat illnesses
• Prescribe medications
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests
• Provide preventive care services

Educational Requirements:

• MSN or DNP required
• Total education: 6-8 years
• Specialty certification in chosen areas (family, pediatric, etc.)
• Minimum 500 clinical hours in the specialty

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Average Annual Salary for Clinical Nurse in the US: $125,900  per year

Source: Glassdoor

These expert nurses focus on specific patient populations or medical specialties. They often:

• Serve as consultants
• Implement evidence-based practices
• Improve patient care systems
• Train other nursing staff

Educational Requirements:

• MSN or DNP required
• Total education: 6-8 years
• Specialty certification required
• Minimum 500 clinical hours in the specialty area

Nurse Anesthetists

Average Annual Salary for CCN in the US: $212,650  per year

Source: American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) specialize in administering anesthesia. CRNAs are typically the highest-paid nursing professionals, with some experienced practitioners earning over $250,000 annually. 

These experts command higher salaries due to their advanced education and leadership roles. Their responsibilities include:

• Evaluating patients before surgery
• Administering and monitoring anesthesia
• Managing pain control
• Overseeing post-anesthesia recovery

Educational Requirements:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) 
• Total education: 7-8 years
• Minimum 1-year critical care experience before CRNA program
• 2,000+ clinical hours during the program

Nurse Midwives

Mean Annual Salary for Nurse Midwives in the US: $131,570 per year

Source: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023)

Certified Nurse Midwives earn competitive salaries, particularly in private practice or urban settings. Moreover, Certified Nurse Midwives provide comprehensive care for women, including:

• Prenatal Care
• Labor and Delivery Services
• Postpartum Care
• General Women’s Health Services

Educational Requirements:

• MSN or DNP required
• Total education: 6-8 years
• Certification through the American Midwifery Certification Board
• Minimum 600-1,000 clinical hours

Different Emerging Nursing Roles

Different nursing roles have emerged in the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape to address technological advancements, workforce demands, and research needs. This is in line with the integration of AI and modern technology. In addition, these specialized roles offer competitive salaries and unique career paths for nurses seeking growth and impact.

Informatics Nurses

Mean Annual Salary for Informatics Nurses in the US: $98,409 per year

Source: ZipRecruiter

By acting as a liaison between nursing and technology, these specialists justify their higher pay with their specialized knowledge. These specialists bridge the gap between nursing and technology by:

• Managing healthcare information systems
• Training staff on new technologies
• Improving electronic health records
• Analyzing healthcare data

Educational Requirements:

• BSN required, MSN preferred
• Additional certification:
  • Nursing Informatics certification
  • Required: 2,000 hours of informatics practice

Travel Nurses

Mean Annual Salary for Travel Nurses in the US: $101,132 per year

Source: ZipRecruiter

Travel nurses are the types of nurses who often earn premium pay plus housing and travel allowances, with crisis assignments paying significantly more. Additionally, travel nurses fill temporary positions at healthcare facilities nationwide. They must:

• Adapt quickly to new environments
• Master different hospital systems
• Provide consistent care across settings
• Handle diverse patient populations

Educational Requirements:

• BSN preferred
• Minimum 1-2 years experience in specialty area
• Multiple state licenses or compact license
• Specialty certifications based on assignment

Clinical Research Nurses (CRN)

Mean Annual Salary for CRN in the US: $113,102 per year

Source: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023)

Clinical research nurses’ salaries vary widely based on the research setting and funding source. In addition, clinical research nurses contribute to medical advancement by:

• Conducting clinical trials
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Ensuring research protocol compliance
• Protecting patient safety in studies

Educational Requirements:

• BSN required, MSN or PhD preferred
• Certification:
  • Clinical Research Nursing certification
  • Required: 2 years research experience

Be A Registered International Nurse through IPASS!

Are you dreaming of working as a registered nurse in prestigious healthcare facilities across developed nations worldwide? IPASS has helped thousands of nurses secure their registration in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, and the Middle East.

IPASS Processing is a company that helps medical professionals, primarily nurses, who want to work abroad. We understand that different types of nurses have unique career goals and specializations. We offer a range of services to assist with the complex process of international licensure. Here’s a breakdown of our key services:

1. IPASS Processing assists with the application process for various international licensure exams, including:

• NCLEX (USA, Canada, Australia)
• UK-NMC (United Kingdom)
• Licensure exams for the Middle East (DOH, DHA, MOPH, etc.)
• OPRA (Formerly known as KAPS Australia)

2. Credentialing and Eligibility

• IPASS helps with credential evaluation, ensuring your qualifications meet the requirements of the target country
• Assistance with obtaining eligibility numbers needed for exams

3. Other Application Assistance

• VisaScreen applications
• License endorsement and renewal
• PRC processes (for Filipino professionals)
• Tourist visa applications (for Australia)

4. IPASS also offers a Next Generation NCLEX review program to help nurses prepare for the exam. This includes:

• Online classes and resources
• Practice questions and assessments
• One-on-one coaching

5. Additional Services:

• Criminal Background Checks
• Dataflow Processing Assistance
• Document Verification
• For a complete list of services, please visit our services page.

Our almost decade-long experience has guided thousands of healthcare professionals toward their international nursing dreams. Trust our proven expertise to navigate the complex registration process for your nursing career abroad.

Contact us now and let IPASS help you make your dream international nursing career a reality!

Conclusion

The nursing profession offers different types of nurses that match different skills, interests, and healthcare specialties. Entry-level roles build strong foundations, while advanced positions provide greater autonomy and higher salaries. Technological advancements continue creating new specialties, expanding career growth and development opportunities in this evolving field.

Nurses serve as the backbone of healthcare, enjoying job security and deep personal fulfillment. BSN degrees and certifications improve career prospects and increase earning potential over time. Many nurses switch specialties, using transferable skills to explore different healthcare settings. Shadowing professionals can help you discover the perfect nursing path.

Your nursing career will be a powerful force for healing, transforming lives during their most vulnerable moments. No matter the specialty you select, may this fulfill you with purpose and the chance to make a difference every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the difference between an LPN and an RN? 

LPNs play a vital role in healthcare and can start their careers quickly, typically completing their training in just 12 to 18 months. RNs complete more extensive education in two to four years and have broader responsibilities in patient care and medical decision-making.

2. How long does it take to become a Nurse Practitioner? 

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner requires about 6-8 years of education: 4 years for a BSN, plus 2-4 years for a master’s or doctoral degree.

3. Can nurses change specialties during their careers? 

Yes, nurses can change specialties throughout their careers by obtaining additional certifications and training in their areas of interest.

4. What is the highest level of nursing? 

The highest level of nursing is typically considered a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Ph.D. in Nursing.

5. Are there specialized certifications for different types of nurses? 

Yes, most nursing specialties have specific certification programs that nurses can complete to demonstrate expertise in their field.

6. How do nursing salaries vary by location? 

Nursing salaries can vary significantly by location. For instance, nurses in urban areas and states like California, New York, and Massachusetts typically earn 20-40% more than the national average. However, these areas often have a higher cost of living.