Statewide Salary Data For Dnp
DNP-educated nurses in all their various roles are consistently recognized for earning top salaries :
- Nurse Anesthetists: $165,480+
- Nurse Administrators and Executives: $126,510-$184,680
- Nurse Practitioners: $121,210-$133,300
The Georgia Department of Labor provides hourly wages for DPN-educated nursing professionals, as of 2018:
- Nurse Anesthetists: $79.56+
- Nurse Practitioners: $58.27-$64.10
Salary and employment data compiled by the Georgia Department of Labor in May of 2018 . Salary data represents state and MSA average and median earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
All salary and job growth data accessed in December 2019.
This page includes salaries that fall within the 75th and 90th percentiles for each nursing role to account for the fact that DNP-educated nurses are recognized as earning more than masters-prepared nurses in the same roles.
How To Become A Geriatric Nurse
Earn an associate degree in nursing or a bachelor of science in nursing
Pass the NCLEX-RN to receive RN licensure
Gain bedside nursing experience
Consider earning a Gerontological Nursing Certification
Types Of Geriatric Nurses
There are many different types of geriatric nurses. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and geriatric nurse practitioners are all available to work with older adults and their needs. Theyre typically found in hospitals or long-term care facilities, but geriatrics is a recognized medical specialty, so they can also be found in doctors offices or public health settings.
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Where Do Geriatric Nurses Typically Work
Geriatric nurses typically work in hospitals and long-term healthcare facilities. Their job is to care for patients who are often bedridden and require assistance with mobility, medications, attachments, feeding tubes, wound dressings and other daily living tasks. Nurses aid in the prevention of partial or total dependency that a patient may otherwise have had were it not for their care. They also provide emotional support and provide guidance on how family members can best help the patient during his/her time of need. Some geriatric nurses engage in advocacy programs where they speak about beliefs regarding aging-related illnesses as well as ways to avoid abuse.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners specialize in therapeutic skills related to the behavioral sciences. They must exhibit a high level of emotional intelligence to assess, diagnose, manage, and treat mental health and psychiatric illnesses across diverse populations. Within this field, they may specialize in a subcategory, such as substance abuse, eating disorders, or dementia.
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Career Resources For Pmhnps
Learn more about job opportunities available to PMHPS by visiting the AANP JobCenter. You can filter your search by state, experience level and job type, including full-time positions, part-time positions or internships. You can also upload your resume to the JobCenter and let employers find you!
If you need help navigating the process of finding a job, please check out the JobCenters resources. The JobCenter is dedicated to helping you prepare for interviews, negotiate your salary and polish your resume. AANP also offers tips on becoming certified, finding the right practice setting and staying informed on important health issues at every stage of your NP career.
How Do I Become A Geriatric Nurse
The first step toward becominga geriatric nurse is to become a Registered Nurse, earning an associate or bachelor of science degree from an accredited nursing program. It isimportant to note that many employers prefer at least a BSN. After graduation,you must obtain RN licensure by taking the NCLEX-RN examination in your state.Once you have achieved licensure, you will need to obtain professional nursingclinical experience in geriatric nursing.
To be eligible to obtain Gerontologic NursingCertification certification offered by the American NursesCredentialing Center you must:
- Hold current, active RN licensure
- Have a minimum of 2 years full-timeprofessional nursing experience
- Have a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinicalpractice in geriatric nursing within the last 3 years.
- Have completed 30 hours of continuingeducation in geriatric nursing within the last 3 years.
Certification is validfor 5 years, after which it must be renewed by meeting the renewal requirementsin place at the time of renewal, such as specialty-related professionaldevelopment and practice activities. If this is not possible, the certificationexam must be retaken.
At the graduate/advancedpractice nurse level, the ANCC offers two certifications Adult-GerontologyAcute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification and Adult-Gerontology Primary CareNurse Practitioner Certification.
Eligibility requirementsinclude:
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Requirements To Become A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse
While you can get neonatal unit experience as a staff RN, earning either a neonatal nurse practitioner or neonatal clinical nurse specialist designation is how the real advancement takes place. An advancement in degree comes with a salary bump as well. Nurses who wish to earn certification without an advanced practice degree can earn their RNC-NIC.
Salaries For Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
It would be a vast understatement to say that certified registered nurse anesthetists are an important part of our nations healthcare system. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists , CRNAs administered anesthetics to some 49 million patients in 2019 alone. Youll find them in any setting where anesthesia is administered, including the military where they are particularly valued. In many rural and medically underserved parts of the country, they are the sole providers of anesthesia care.
Their value in our healthcare system is reflected in their average salaries, which far exceed other APRN roles. In fact, as of May 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an average, annual salary of $174,790 for CRNAs. The top earners in the profession earned an average salary of $203,730 during this time.
The setting in which CRNAs work influences their earning power. According to the BLS, CRNAs working in outpatient care centers earned, in many cases, as much as $30,000 more annually than their colleagues working in other settings:
- Outpatient care centers: $224,630
- Virginia: $182,800 < $208,000
- Washington: $189,100 < $208,000
- West Virginia: $188,910 < $208,000
- Wisconsin: < $208,000
- Wyoming: < $208,000
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Job Opportunities & Salary Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that employment for all nurses is going to surge by 26% by 2020, which is much faster than average. There will be an influx of aging baby boomers into the health care system who will want more services as they live longer and are more active than generations of the past. So, we can expect that there will be a much higher need for geriatric nurses.
Also, there is more financial pressure on hospitals to discharge people as soon as they can. This means that there are many more patients being admitted to both extended care and long term care centers. There also will be a need for more home healthcare services. This all should mean a higher demand for geriatric care nurses.
BLS finds that the median salary for all nurses is $64,700, so you should expect an annual salary in this range. According to Indeed.com, the national average salary for a geriatric nurse is $70,000 as stated above.
Types Of Jobs Workplaces And Patients Youll See
Psychiatric nurse practitioners can pursue job opportunities in a wide variety of settings, either independently or in:
- Hospitals
- Inpatient treatment facilities
- Correctional facilities
In many states, psychiatric nurse practitioners can prescribe medications and operate independent practices without the supervision of a physician. In private practice, they provide individual and group therapy and consult with patients remotely via telemedicine.
As skilled advanced practice healthcare providers, they also can serve as consultants and expert witnesses, or take on leadership roles within healthcare organizations
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Becoming A Psychiatric Nurse
Those who know they want to become a psychiatric nurse should plan on taking a few mental health courses while in school. Upon becoming an RN, most nurses gain experience in general nursing before they move into the psychiatric specialty, although it’s not unheard of for a new grad nurse to go right into psychiatric nursing. One way to break into psychiatric nursing is to determine a focus geriatric care, eating disorders, and child/teen mental health are just a few of the specialized areas a psychiatric nurse may consider finding work.
Psychiatricmental Health Nurse Practitioner

A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner focuses on mental illnesses in the same way in which psychiatrists do. Youll treat patients, prescribe medication, and/or counsel those who suffer from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and other disorders.
The official credential youll earn via the ANCC is Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified .
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Subspecialties For Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
Browse open Nurse Practitioner Jobs
Nurse practitioners are licensed healthcare providers who assess, diagnose, and treat medical conditions. Nurse practitioners pursue a medical specialty of their choice and must pass a rigorous board-certification exam in order to practice. Those who choose psychiatry earn the credential “PMHNP” which stands for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner.
These nurse practitioners complete either a master’s or doctorate degree and specialize in the treatment of psychiatric disorders through psychopharmacology and psychotherapy. This journey ranges from six to eight years of education, and it includes rigorous courses, patient simulations, and clinical experiences.
Some of these clinicians continue their education through psychiatric residencies and fellowship programs. Psychiatric nurse practitioners can choose to subspecialize in a variety of fields including addiction, forensics, military, child and adolescent, geriatric, and psychosomatic medicine.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Overview
What youll do: Collaborate with a care team to oversee patients with a range of mental health issues
Where youll work: Mental health facilities, outpatient care centers, hospitals
Degree youll need: Master of Science in Nursing
Median salary: $111,680
Psychiatric nurses specialize in caring for patients with a variety of behavioral health needs. This field of nursing involves evaluating and treating patients experiencing mental health disorders, substance abuse problems, abuse, and trauma.
There are several ways to become a psychiatric nurse. You can begin practicing as a psychiatric nurse after earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and obtaining licensure as a registered nurse .
However, many psychiatric nurses choose to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice and become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. This level of education takes more time, but it allows you to practice in the broadest range of settings, pursue leadership and research opportunities, and in some states, even operate a private practice and prescribe medications.Psychiatric nursing is a growing field, and qualified behavioral healthcare providers are still scarce in many parts of the country. Because of this, working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner can help fill an important need, says Sattaria Tari Dilks, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FAANP, a professor of nursing at McNeese State University and president of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association .
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Perspectives Of A Working Pmhnp
When I was very young, I wanted to be a missionary and an artist. My parents thought better of my resolve, saying, The girls will be nurses or secretaries, and the religious life interest waned in time.
After many years of finding my way through professional nursing, I am currently positioned to help people in broad ways. I now employ personal brokenness, illness, experience, culture and history of patients to facilitate healing. I blend these ingredients with evidence-informed practice and each patients gifts, hopes and aspirations by artfully reassembling these pieces to lend order, meaning and even beauty to lives. Life revisited becomes a meaningful collage, assisting personal futures. So yes, I am still an artist who practices the science of nursing as a PMHNP. Professionally, I want nothing more than to have this ongoing connectivity with humanity, this gift, as a driving force in my life. I am a world changer with humanity as a mission field and health as my vision. I do this as a clinical PMHNP, helping patients through telehealth in an integrated care practice, and as a faculty member, building and fortifying a bright future for the PMHNP workforce.Kathleen McCoy, DNSc, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, Associate Professor, Community Mental Health, University of South Alabama
Online Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program
Master of Science in Nursing
According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, 37% of Americans live in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner , youll be in demand as you deliver patient-centered, holistic care to patients with psychiatric disorders. Through this online PMHNP program, youll further develop the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver mental health care to patients across the life span, making a positive impact on the health of your patients and the health of your communities.
Prepare for a career as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Flexible online classes with 24/7 access
- 15-week psychiatric nursing courses
- 95% passage rate for all nursing programs on national certification exams
- Become eligible to sit for the Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner ANCC Certification Exam
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Geriatric Nurse Career In Brief
Geriatric nurses work with doctors and other healthcare professionals to care for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of elderly patients, helping them maintain independence and quality of life. These registered nurses possess specialized knowledge and skills to treat common health issues affecting the elderly population. Some key responsibilities include the following:
What Does A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Do
They specialize in caring for patients with mental health issues by assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with mental health conditions. A PMNHP carries out physical and psychosocial examinations, prescribes medications and treatment, leads therapy sessions, and monitors patients with mental health concerns.
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The Role Of The Geriatric Nurse In The Nursing Shortage
The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites thatemployment for nurses will increase at a rate of 16% by 2024. There is anational shortage of nurses in general related to the Baby Boomer populationentering retirement, and the increased health needs of the growing agingpopulation. It is projected that the South and West will be hardest hit by thenursing shortage. The 12 states expected to have the most acute shortages are Florida, Georgia, Texas, Virginia, Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho,Montana, Nevada and New Mexico.
Given the growing elder population, nurses specializing in geriatric care are will be in greater demand, with a higher than average growth rate than for nursing in general. Employment opportunities are expected to expand, making this specialty a very stable career path for professional nurses.
Types Of Nurse Practitioners

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2019, the median annual income for nurse practitioners was $115,800 per year. But there are a lot of different Nurse Practitioner specialties to choose from that will impact your duties and your salary. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ones.
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Becoming A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
What is it like to be a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner? Find out for yourself! If a day in the life of a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner has peaked your interest, and you would like to get involved, your next step is to find a masters program that works with your schedule and aligns with your goals. With Goodwins online PMHNP program, you will accelerate your career as an APRN while also achieving the flexibility to hold down a job and live a full life. Being a PMHNP gives you the promising benefits of nursing practice, while allowing you to treat psychiatric concerns and help people live their best possible lives. Visit Goodwin University online for more information or call us at 800-889-3282 to learn more.
Qualities Of A Successful Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric nurse practitioners need emotional grounding to provide the compassion and stability their patients may need. Here are some qualities that can be crucial to your success.
- Emotional maturity: Youll need to establish effective personal boundaries to avoid burnout.
- Emotional stability: Providing a calming, reassuring presence can help patients experiencing mental health challenges focus on working to get better.
- Team player: To provide the best possible care, youll need to collaborate with physicians, behavioral healthcare providers, and other members of a patients care team.
- Strong advocacy skills: Youll advocate for your patients and help them advocate for themselves.
- Caring: As a behavioral healthcare provider, your warmth, empathy, and caring manner can help put patients at ease.
As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, its important to understand that its not your job to cure people, says Dilks.
Its our job to walk alongside people as they work to get better. There are no quick fixes. It requires creativity, empathy, and understanding, she says.
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What Is A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners Salary
How much do psychiatric nurse practitioners make? That depends on the setting and type of job, but lets take a look at some of the data:
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage of Nurse Practitioners is $111,840.
- According to Payscale, the average salary of PMHNPs is $108,767.
- ZipRecruiter shares that certain states have higher typical salaries for PMHNPs, including New York, New Hampshire, California, Vermont, Massachusetts, Wyoming, Maine and Washington, all with annual salaries of over $120,000 .
The Importance Of Advanced Nurse Practitioners
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the physician shortage in the U.S. is projected to grow over the next decade. This will result in increasing dependence on advanced practice nurses who are able to perform tasks such as ordering and interpreting lab results, developing diagnoses, and evaluating patient responses to care plans. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the number of jobs for nurse practitioners to grow by a staggering 52% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than the projected average for all jobs.
Especially troubling is the fact that some of the most sensitive and in-need populations will be those that are most impacted by the physician shortage. Advanced nurse practitioners are essential parts of the puzzle in ending the ongoing opioid epidemic, for instance. Those with expertise in substance abuse and mental health are particularly in demand.
Looking toward the future, an aging population will greatly need qualified care. Life expectancy increased throughout the second half of the 20th century. People now live longer, and the U.S. population aged 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million to 95 million by 2060.
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