5 Great Medical Careers with a Master’s Degree

1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

As an advanced practice registered nurse, certified registered nurse anesthetics are the professionals who administer anesthesia to patients undergoing diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical procedures. They also provide emergency services and pain management while also overseeing the care of patients following surgery.

Certified registered nurse anesthetists must complete a master’s degree program in nurse anesthesia and have a valid registered nurse license. In addition to also passing a certification exam, the nurse anesthetist must spend at least one year working in an acute-care setting. These professionals earned a median annual wage of $176,212 reported by Salary.com.

2. Chief Nursing Officer

The chief nursing officer, also referred to as the director of nursing, is a registered nurse who is in charge of the management of an entire nursing unit or department. The chief nursing officer collaborates with other medical professionals, organizations, and advocacy groups regarding healthcare matters.

Their duties also include trying to make the department more efficient while still providing the best medical care to patients. The individual generally completes either a Master of Health Administration or Master of Science in Nursing program.

As of March 2018, chief nursing officers earned an average annual wage of $104,405 according to Salary.com. This is probably one of the highest-paying medical careers with a master’s degree.

3. Clinical Nurse Specialist

A clinical nurse specialist is a registered nurse who specializes in a specific area of nursing. Their work consists of three areas: patients and their families, administration, and nurse management. They manage and advise other nurses and help make the nursing unit more efficient.

Their roles include teaching, clinical practice, management, research and consulting. To become a clinical nurse specialist, the candidate must complete a master’s degree in nursing with a concentration in clinical nurse specialty programs, pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and also pass the Certified Nurse Specialist certification exam.

Salary.com reports an average annual wage of $101,082 was earned by clinical nurse specialists.

4. Physician Assistant

Becoming a physician assistant (PA) is often a choice made by an individual who wants to treat patients without being a physician. Like physicians, PAs examine, diagnose and treat patients, but they often work alongside physicians.

Their duties include taking medical histories, examining patients, prescribing medication, diagnosing illnesses or injuries, ordering tests, and educating the patient on healthcare issues. Becoming a physician assistant requires at least two years of postgraduate studies.

Additionally, the individual must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination to obtain licensure, which is required in the states. PAs earned a median annual salary of $101,960.

5. Healthcare Administrator

Individuals who want to work in a leadership role in the medical field without having daily contact with patients often work as healthcare administrators. Also known as medical and health services managers, these highly trained individuals manage a medical facility.

As part of their duties, they plan, lead, and coordinate health and medical services while ensuring everything conforms to healthcare laws and regulations. Aspiring healthcare administrators typically complete a two- to three-year graduate program that also includes a year of supervised experience working in an administrative role in a healthcare setting.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports medical and health services managers earn an average annual wage of $96,540.

Related Resource: 5 Great Medical Careers with an Associate’s Degree

Medical careers continue to be part of a growing field that’s constantly in demand. The increasing number of treatable medical diseases increases the need for qualified medical professionals higher than ever. Earning a master’s degree may be the best way toward great medical careers.