Nursing is known as one of the fastest-growing occupations both in Sacramento and across the United States. If you have a caring personality and are passionate about helping others, going into the nursing sector may be the right choice for you. There are high-paying and rewarding roles at every level of nursing education, so here are the top 8 nursing jobs in Sacramento.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
With the average salary of a certified registered nurse anesthetist currently standing at $143,000, this role ranks at the top of the highest-paid nursing positions in the world. The role of a CRNA is to:
- Determine the amount and type of anesthesia required
- Administer anesthesia
- Explain procedures to patients
- Help patients remain calm before and throughout the procedure
A CRNA can work in a variety of settings, such as at a hospital, private practice, and clinic. To qualify for this position, you will need to possess a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) degree, as well as be certified as a nurse anesthetist.
Chief Nursing Officer
Another top paying nursing job in Sacramento is a chief nursing officer (CNO). With the average salary of a CNO standing at $126,000, chief nursing officers who have many years of experience behind them can expect to earn close to $140,000. Some of the main duties of a chief nursing officer include:
- Managing schedules for the nursing team
- Developing procedures and strategies for the nursing department
- Overseeing training and educational programs
- Ensuring compliance within government regulations
Before you can be accepted for this position, you will need to obtain a DNP degree. To flourish as a CNO, leadership skills are vital. Prior management experience can also come in handy. If you would like a job that revolves around the management side of nursing, becoming a chief nursing officer may be the perfect role.
Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
Among the highest-paid nurses in the world are orthopedic nurse practitioners. With an average salary of $100,000 per year, orthopedic nurse practitioners tend to work in a hospital environment. Some of the main roles and responsibilities of an orthopedic nurse practitioner include:
- Providing primary health care for orthopedic patients
- Examining and assessing patients
- Requesting laboratory tests
To work as an orthopedic nurse practitioner, you will need to obtain an MSN degree or higher, as well as get a nurse practitioner certification. The job outlook for this role is very good, meaning you can expect job security and stability as an orthopedic nurse practitioner.
Certified Nurse Midwife
Earning an average of $90,000 per year, certified nurse midwives are one of the best careers for those who enjoy working with women. Helping mothers-to-be in particular throughout the stages of pregnancy will require you to have a caring and nurturing personality. Other roles of a certified nurse midwife include:
- Providing family planning services
- Guiding women through the labor process
- Providing information about the care of newborns to pregnant women
Certified nurse midwives can work in hospitals, public health departments, private clinics, as well as educational facilities. To work as a CNM, you will need to undertake a bachelor’s degree in nursing, however, a DNP or MSN degree is preferred.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Performing many of the same duties that a family physician does, a family nurse practitioner is responsible for:
- Diagnosing and treating illnesses
- Prescribing medications
- Work with patients of all agents
If you like the idea of working with patients from infants to senior citizens, you will need to obtain a DNP degree before getting started. You can study for your DNP online at institutions like Baylor University, that has a family nurse practitioner track. Throughout the course, you will develop advanced clinical and leadership skills to help you thrive in this position. You can also find DNP programs in executive nurse leadership.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
For those who love working with children, in particular, one of the best nursing jobs that you should look into is pediatric nursing. As a pediatric nurse practitioner, you can expect to make roughly $86,000 per year. Often working in a hospital’s pediatric ward, most of their patients tend to be young and chronically ill. Some of the duties of a pediatric nurse practitioner include:
- Helping to administer treatments and medications
- Working closely alongside physicians
- Provide care to children from birth through to young adult
As pediatric nurse practitioners care for children, it’s important that you possess key characteristics such as being patient, empathetic, and compassionate to their needs. To become a pediatric nurse practitioner, a DNP degree is required.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Working in a specialized unit or clinic, such as emergency medicine or oncology, clinical nurse specialists are responsible for improving the quality of nursing care in their fields. Some of the main duties of a clinical nurse specialist include:
- Teaching nurses new patient care techniques
- Analyzing patient outcomes
- Establishing ways to improve the standard of care
- Providing medical assessments
An RN certification and master’s degree is mandatory to become a clinical nurse specialist. If this sounds like the role for you, it’s vital that you possess strong communication skills, especially as you will be working closely with technicians, doctors, and support staff.
Corporate Nurse
Unlike many roles in the nursing sector, a corporate nurse does not work in typical health care settings. Instead, they work in:
- Insurance companies
- Consulting firms
- Pharmaceutical companies
The average salary for a corporate nurse currently stands at $85,000. Corporate nurses tend to work regular hours, meaning they will get holidays and weekends off. While a corporate nurse does not treat the patient directly, their actions will have a big impact on how the patient is treated. If you would like a role that is considered less stressful than other nursing careers, becoming a corporate nurse may be the right path for you to take.
No matter what kind of nursing job catches your interest, it’s important that you read into entry requirements and job specifications before applying. With Sacramento’s population standing at over 500,000, all the nursing jobs listed above are always in high demand.
