When you’re considering a career change, sometimes it can be difficult to make the move. You have to think about if it’s really what you want, if you’ll like the new job satisfaction and opportunities for advancement. That’s why it’s important to understand what you earn as a RN with our information on registered nurse salary in atlanta.
Introduction
With the Atlanta area population expected to increase by 1.1 million people in the next 20 years, healthcare will become more important than ever. And for those looking for a lucrative and rewarding career, nursing is a great option. The field is projected to grow 15 percent between 2016 and 2026, much faster than the national average of most other occupations. What’s more, the average yearly salary for all nurse practitioners exceeds $100K per year, with many roles pushing well over that mark.
With so many opportunities available to ambitious nurses in Atlanta, it can be difficult to choose a path that works best for you. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the fastest-growing specializations and how much each pays on average in metro Atlanta. If you’re ready to find your dream job today, be sure to check out our healthcare jobs board or upload your resume now!
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Being a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) can be a rewarding and lucrative career option. The average salary for a CRNA is $148,000 per year, according to Indeed. In addition, the job outlook of this specialty is expected to increase by 23% between 2016 and 2026.*
As with other medical specialties, the best cities for CRNAs are located in large metropolitan areas where there are many hospitals and healthcare facilities. Some of these cities include Houston, Texas; Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim California; New York City/Syracuse New York; Chicago Illinois – North Suburbs & Northwest Indiana Suburbs; Dallas/Fort Worth Texas – Fort Worth Metroplex Area; Philadelphia Pennsylvania Metro Area & Delaware Valley Region). These major metropolitan regions have high populations as well as large numbers of medical facilities that require staff support during surgery procedures such as anesthesia administration
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric nurse practitioners work in hospitals, clinics, private practices and schools. In some states you may be able to work as a primary care provider.
Pediatric nurse practitioners can work in a variety of settings including:
- Hospitals
- Outpatient clinics or offices that deal with health problems related to children (called pediatric specialty clinics)
- Pediatric Emergency Room (ER) units
- Urgent care centers
- School-based health centers
If you are interested in working with children who have special needs or disabilities, there are many opportunities available to you as well. As an example, you may be able to become certified as a pediatric mental health specialist through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). You can also specialize in neonatal nursing by completing your certification requirements through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), which will provide you with additional job opportunities within this area of expertise.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
A psychiatric nurse practitioner (PNP) is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing, who can diagnose and treat mental disorders. PNPs work under the supervision of a physician and specialize in providing mental health care to patients with severe emotional disturbances. They have additional training beyond what registered nurses receive, including clinical skills such as psychotherapy and prescribing medications.
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Women’s health nurse practitioners are the fastest growing type of nurse practitioner. Women’s health nurse practitioners work in hospitals, clinics and private practices. They care for women throughout the life cycle, providing expert care for women’s health issues including sexual health, gynecology, menopause and reproductive health.
Family Nurse Practitioner
A family nurse practitioner is a primary care provider who has a master’s degree in nursing and has completed additional study and clinical training in family medicine. As registered nurses, FNP’s can provide health care for children, adults and families. They work closely with other members of the health care team to provide patients with the best possible care. Some FNP’s may specialize in particular areas of practice such as pediatrics or gerontology, while others focus on providing primary care to underserved populations.
FNP’s are distinguished from physicians by their advanced education; they receive extensive training that focuses on providing quality services to patients through listening carefully to their concerns and working collaboratively with them on treatment plans. Physician assistants (PAs), who also have an advanced level of education beyond that of a registered nurse but less than an MD/DO physician assistant specialty
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
If you are a registered nurse and want to pursue a career in gerontological nursing, then the training of a gerontological nurse practitioner (G.N.P.) may be right for you. G.N.P.’s provide care to older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people with chronic pain management issues, those who suffer from dementia, depression or substance abuse problems.
A G.N.P.-certified RN will learn how to:
- Diagnose illnesses
- Provide treatment plans
- Manage medications
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Clinical Nurse Specialists are responsible for the care of patients with a particular illness or condition. They work with other healthcare professionals to provide care to patients and their families. Clinical Nurse Specialists assess and treat patients, as well as manage the overall treatment plan.
In hospitals, most clinical nurse specialists work in critical care units like the ICU (intensive care unit). They may also specialize in areas such as childbirth, pediatrics, mental health or psychiatric conditions.
The top 10 nursing careers in Atlanta have an expected job growth between 19 and 26 percent.
The top 10 nursing careers in Atlanta have an expected job growth between 19 and 26 percent.
The top 10 nursing careers in Atlanta are:
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist
- Pediatric nurse practitioner
- Psychiatric nurse practitioner
- Women’s health nurse practitioner
Registered Nurse Salary in Atlanta, GA
The average salary for registered nurses in Atlanta, Georgia is $71,000 per year. The average hourly rate of pay for a registered nurse in Atlanta, Georgia is $33.86 per hour. The total annual pay for a registered nurse in the state of Georgia is $15,4001.
The cost of living index in the city of Atlanta is currently at 96.5. The cost of living index in this area is 24% higher than the national average. The housing index in the city of Atlanta is currently at 107.8, which means that it is 29% more expensive to live in than the national average. This means that it costs 2% less to live here than it would cost to live in the United States with an equivalent income and rent value from any given location.
Registered Nurse Salary in Atlanta
Atlanta is known for being an international hub of culture, commerce, and industry. The city’s economy is thriving due to its diverse population and growing tech sector. As the city continues to grow, so does the need for qualified healthcare professionals. In fact, the demand for registered nurses in Atlanta is higher than ever before.
Average Registered Nurse Salary in Atlanta
According to Glassdoor’s research conducted in October 2016, the average salary for a registered nurse in Atlanta is $67,000 per year. This figure takes into account data from over 1,900 different jobs posted on Glassdoor within the past 12 months by companies like Emory University Hospital (which pays an annual salary of $70K), Novant Health (which pays an annual salary of $60K), and Parkridge Hospital (which pays an annual salary of $62K).
Of course there are many factors that go into determining your final salary as a nurse—such as education level or years of experience—but knowing what other nurses make can help you determine whether you’re being paid fairly for your work and give you a benchmark against which to negotiate your next contract.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a high-paying job in the medical field, these five careers are a great place to start. They all have great job growth predictions and offer salaries that will make them worth your time and hard work.