5. Nurse Case Manager – $79,006 per year
A nurse case manager helps manage the holistic care of patients to decrease readmission and keep them out of hospitals.
The Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) expects an increase in the demand for nurse case managers as the baby boomer generation continues to age. Case managers are especially important to patients with chronic illnesses such as arthritis.
Case managers can choose many places of employment, including clinics, hospitals, health facilities, and in many areas of the public and nonprofit sectors. They also have a chance to specialize in their passionate areas, such as addiction, pediatrics, child welfare, aging, long-term care, immigration, occupational services, and more.
Salary
The average base salary for a nurse case manager in 2024 is $79,006 per year, according to Payscale.
Requirements
To become a case manager, you will need to earn a BSN and pass the NCLEX examination. After obtaining nursing experience, apply for a position specializing in case management. While not required, specialty certification should be considered.
6. Nurse Administrator – $126,261 Per year
Nurse administrators manage staffing and business matters within hospitals, medical centers, and outpatient or clinic settings. Wherever there is a team of nurses, you will also find one or more nurse administrators to ensure that healthcare operations and staffing are safe and effective.
Nurse administrators oversee and manage staff to ensure quality patient care. Nurse administrators do not provide direct patient care at the bedside. Instead, they manage nursing staff who do.
Salary
Nurse administrators earn an average salary of $126,261 per year, according to Salary.com.
Requirements
Although the minimum education in many facilities is a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), most healthcare institutions require a minimum of a Master’s Degree of Science (MSN), specializing in nursing administration.