• Nursing careers are highly rewarding for people who enjoy helping others.nurse hand with syringe doing injection image by fotosergio from Fotolia.com
  
  Nurses provide patient care and treatment in a variety of health care settings--hospitals, medical centers, universities, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient surgery centers. Chief nursing careers, such as nurse anesthetist, nurse researcher and psychiatric mental health nurse-practitioner offer high salaries, advancement through specialization and autonomy.
  
  

Registered Nurse Anesthetist

• Nurse anesthetists (CRNA) are advanced practice nurses with specialty training and certification in the delivery of anesthetic agents to patients undergoing a surgical procedure. "Anesthetic agents," or anesthesia, are drugs used to prevent pain.
  
  CRNA is the highest paid position in the nursing field. According to the 2009 AMGA Medical Group Compensation and Financial Survey, median annual salaries for nurse anesthetists are $157,724. CRNAs practicing in the eastern region of the United States are among the highest paid, earning more than $160,000 a year.
  
  A CRNA must obtain a registered nursing license and complete a master's degree in nursing program (MSN) accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
  
  

Nurse-Researcher

• The clinical practice of nursing depends upon the work of nurse-researchers. Nurse-researchers lead, develop and carry out scientific studies in nursing. Findings from research are then applied to clinical practice settings. The focus of a nurse-researcher's work improves care for patients whose illnesses range from acutely ill and critical to the chronically ill. Nursing research also helps nurses provide better care to patients who are terminally ill.
  
  People who plan on becoming a nurse-researcher must complete a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Additionally, nursing research positions require at least one year of nursing experience and a master's degree in nursing (MSN). A doctorate in nursing (Ph.D. or DNS) is required for advanced research positions.
  
  Salaries vary according to the specific research setting, education and position. Salary.com reports that average salaries for nurse-researchers fall in the $60,000 to $75,000 range, whereas Monster.com reports $95,000 as the average. The higher salaries are for advanced research positions.
  
  

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse-Practitioner

• A psychiatric mental health nurse-practitioner (PMHNP) provides mental health services to a specific population, such as adults, teens or children. PMNHP duties and responsibilities may include physical and mental assessment, differential diagnosis, prescribing medications, consultation and case management.
  
  The level of autonomy is determined by the state in which the PMHNP practices. Some states require a collaboration agreement with a physician, while other states permit independent practice.
  
  Educational requirements for psychiatric nurse-practitioners are: (1) bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN); (2) registered nursing license (RN); (3) master's in nursing degree (MSN); and (4) board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. A PMHNP program must be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Salaries range from $72,000 to $96,000 a year, as reported by Payscale, Inc.