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DNP Degree Salary + Best Jobs After

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#1 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

CRNAs work alongside surgeons and other clinicians to administer anesthetics to patients during a medical or surgical procedure. The CRNA role is said to be one of the highest paying positions a nurse can achieve, and demand is rising, in line with demographic changes such as an aging population and an increase in the average age. Of interest is the fact that just 52% of all DNP programs across the country award a CRNA license.

Some of their duties include:

Setting up the intravenous (IV) lines
Providing anesthetic to patients
Caring for patients before, during, and after any medical procedure (obstetrical, diagnostic, or therapeutic)
Monitoring the patient during the procedure
Providing pain management
Preparing patients for procedures, including educating them on what to expect and finding out whether they have allergies
Administering local anesthetic
Adjusting anesthesia during procedures

According to the BLS, nurse anesthetists earn an average annual salary of $164,030.

#2 Nurse Researcher

DNP degrees are generally required for those who want to take on practical positions in nursing. For research positions, the Ph.D. is more appropriate. However, it is not unheard of for someone with a DNP to become a nurse researcher either. At present, only 1.3% of the DNP workforce works as a nurse researcher, but with tremendous demand in this field expected, this may change.

Nurse researchers usually:

Collect data in relation to various health issues
Develop activities, programs, and initiatives to improve health
Work with patients during clinical trials and provide nursing care to participants
Provide all forms of medicinal care, including administrative tasks such as creating and presenting reports
Understand clinical backgrounds and the need for and sensitivities of clinical trials
Plan, implement, and coordinate clinical schedules and procedures
Collect vitals and samples and record appropriate data
Communicate with study participants and sponsors
Recruit, educate, manage, and schedule trial subjects

Payscale.com reports median annual earnings of $69,236 for the clinical research nurse.

#3 Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric nurse practitioners work alongside psychiatrists to diagnose patients and provide them with appropriate treatment. They help to make a diagnosis and also work directly with patients to educate them and their families and provide them with important advice. Many of them work in mental health facilities, hospitals, and private practices. Reports have shown that around 2% of the DNP workforce is employed as such. Their goal is to help people recover from psychiatric disorders and to improve overall quality of life. Many work with patients diagnosed with anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders, and substance abuse problems. Some also work with more serious, life-limiting conditions such as schizophrenia.

Common duties of psychiatric nurse practitioners include:

Managing different caseloads and the associated documentation with these cases
Consulting with staff and family members about clinical concerns, treatment options, and medication
Prescribing medication, although this may or may not be possible depending on the state and the nurse practitioner’s license
Performing therapy with individuals and groups, evaluating this therapy and assessing its effectiveness
Dealing with patients’ other medical needs and making appropriate referrals

Payscale.com reports median annual earnings of $98,899 for psychiatric nurse practitioners.

#4 Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

Certified nurse midwives are responsible for looking after pregnant women, from initial pregnancy to birth. Sometimes, they also work with women who are trying to conceive and who may have problems with fertility. They will be present during the delivery of the baby, but mainly focus on the health of the expectant mother and her baby during the pregnancy as well. They run tests and provide advice to expectant parents on prenatal and antenatal care, as well as other issues. They will also talk with mothers about their birthing plans and what to expect during their pregnancy. They often work for large health organizations, although some states now have separate midwife clinics. CNMs work hand in hand with ob-gyn physicians, ensuring that patients have the best possible care, leading to the best outcomes for mothers and their babies. Reports have shown that around 5.8% of DNP degree holders work as CNMs, and that there will be a 26% growth in demand.

Typical duties for a CNM include:

Looking after every element of a woman’s pregnancy
Performing gynecological examinations
Being involved in family planning services
Providing new mothers with prenatal care
Delivery babies, including dealing with emergency medical situations that can happen during delivery, such as hemorrhaging
Assisting physicians during cesarean births and during laceration and cut repairs
Being the primary carer for mothers and their newborn babies
Educating prospective and new parents on healthy living and wellness, focusing on disease prevention and nutrition
Providing advice, information, and guidance on reproductive and sexual health issues

The BLS reports that the average annual earnings for certified nurse midwives is $102,390.

#5 Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse

Pediatric endocrinology nurses are high specialized nurses who focus on just one area of nursing, which is the care of children up to the age of 18 who suffer from endocrine system illnesses, including diabetes. Obviously, most of them work in pediatric clinics and hospitals, although many are able to open a private practice if their state license allows this. Their general duties include:

Diagnosing children with endocrine diseases
Working with children and their families in terms of helping them manage an endocrine disease, such as diabetes
Educating parents and children on the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and how these can affect their illness
Supporting families throughout the duration of the patient’s life

Summary

The DNP is the highest degree that a nurse can obtain, and this translates into roles in which he or she will hold extensive responsibilities for complex cases and medical situations. They are very well-compensated for these roles, often instantly seeing a salary increase. DNP degree holders serve as role models and mentors to other nurses, showing them expected standards in terms of patient care and inspiring them to do similar things. Many different roles are available for DNP degree holders, in many different fields of the healthcare industry, including in private practice. It truly is a role in which nurses can develop their unique personality and vision.

Additional Resources

References

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). (2017, Jun.). Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/dnp
Online Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://landing.onlineprograms.sacredheart.edu/overview/nursing/dnp-682KJ-1175128.html??utm_source=xyz&utm_campaign=nursejournal&utm_content=greybox&utm_term=/dnp-programs/best-paying-dnp-nursing-jobs-salary/
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners. (2015, Dec. 17). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm

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