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Curious to know more about the least stressful nursing jobs? Keep reading to learn which specialties offer a better work-life balance and job satisfaction!
Are you a passionate nurse looking for a fulfilling career without the constant stress and burnout? You're not alone, and it’s not impossible to find these jobs, contrary to popular belief!
Many nurses struggle to find the perfect balance between their dedication to patient care and their own well-being. But, rest assured, there are in fact nursing jobs out there that offer a healthier work-life balance, lower stress levels, and still provide the opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives!
In this comprehensive guide, we've researched and compiled a list of the top 20 least stressful nursing jobs for 2024. From nurse educators to public health nurses, these specialties offer a more relaxed work environment, flexible schedules, and competitive salaries.
Nursing is known to be a challenging career, but there are certain jobs within the field that offer a better work-life balance and lower levels of stress! Here, we’ll go over the top 20 and share more details about them.
Compared to other nursing jobs, school nursing is less physically demanding and involves working regular hours with a predictable schedule since students are typically only in school from around 8 am to 3 pm.
School nurses provide basic medical care to students and staff while promoting healthy habits and providing health education, which can be rewarding. The work environment is typically low-pressure, and school nurses are not exposed to the same level of high stress situations as other nursing jobs.
The future is bright for school nurses as the occupation is expected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032. School nurses have an average salary of $56,486, but it largely depends on your location!
Best School for this Career: Emory University's School of Nursing, which ranks #3 for undergraduate nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report, offers a BSN program that provides a strong foundation for school nursing roles.
Public health nursing is another great opportunity for nurses who wish to minimize the hustle associated with direct patient care in hospital settings.
Public health nurses believe that a person's health is affected by many factors, including genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environment. Public health nurses focus on prevention and education at a high level. The public health realm is ideal for nurses who enjoy designing programs that promote healthy living in the community.
Employment of registered nurses, which includes public health nurses, is projected to grow by 6%. The average salary of a public health nurse is $71,378.
Best School for this Career: Johns Hopkins University's School of Nursing offers a top-ranked MSN program with a specialization in Public Health Nursing, preparing graduates for roles in community and public health settings.
Travel nurses fill short-term staffing needs in healthcare facilities across the country. They work in various specialties and settings, providing patient care and support where it's needed most.
Travel nursing offers flexibility, competitive pay, and the opportunity to explore new locations, maybe even ticking off some of those bucket list destinations! Travel nurses typically earn higher salaries than staff nurses, with an average annual salary of $83,197.
The demand for travel nurses isn’t expected to drop any time soon, especially with the shortages we’re seeing across the nation.
Best School for this Career: Emory University's School of Nursing, consistently ranked among the top nursing schools, offers a BSN program that provides a strong foundation for travel nursing careers.
Neuroscience nurses care for patients with neurological disorders, such as stroke, brain injuries, and multiple sclerosis. They monitor patients, administer medications, and educate patients and families on managing their conditions.
Neuroscience nurses typically work in hospitals, particularly in neurology, neurosurgery, or critical care units. As advancements in neuroscience continue, the demand for specialized neuroscience nurses is expected to grow. They earn an average annual salary of $85,801.
Best School for this Career: Johns Hopkins University's School of Nursing offers a top-ranked MSN program with a specialization in Adult-Gerontological Critical Care, preparing graduates for roles in specialized areas like neuroscience nursing.
If the hospital environment is what you find stressful, transitioning from an RN to a home health nurse may be the solution.
As the name says, home health nurses provide care to patients in their homes, which can provide a less stressful environment compared to hospital settings. They are responsible for administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and providing wound care.
According to projections, there’ll be an estimated 6% increase in job opportunities between 2021 and 2031. The typical yearly pay for home health nurses amounts to $84,686.
Best School for this Career: The University of Michigan's School of Nursing offers a well-regarded BSN program that prepares graduates for various nursing roles, including home health nursing.
Working as a hospice nurse can provide a less stressful environment and a fulfilling, rewarding nursing career.
These nurses provide comfort and support to terminally ill patients and their families, managing pain and ensuring the patient's wishes are respected. Hospice nurses work in a more relaxed setting compared to other nursing jobs, which can reduce stress and promote well-being.
Registered nurses, including hospice nurses, can expect a steady job growth rate of 6% over the next decade. Moreover, hospice nurses can expect to earn competitive salaries of $85,272 depending on their experience, qualifications, and location.
Best School for this Career: Duke University's School of Nursing offers an accelerated BSN program with a high NCLEX pass rate, providing a strong foundation for hospice nursing roles.
Among the many demanding nursing jobs out there, this position is considered one of the least stressful jobs on this list. Even though the responsibility of preparing the next generation of nurses is significant, the work environment is relatively low-pressure, and the work hours are reasonable.
There’s the added satisfaction of knowing you’re preparing the next generation of nurses as well!
Nurse educators teach and train future nurses, and they are responsible for developing nursing curricula and lesson plans. As one of the highest-paid nursing jobs, nurse educators make an average of $86,530 per year.
There is currently a shortage of nurse educators, so if you’re thinking of stepping back from patient care to education, it’s a great time to do so.
Best School for this Career: Duke University's School of Nursing offers a top-ranked MSN program with a specialization in Nursing Education, preparing graduates for roles as nurse educators.
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide expert care in a specific area, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or oncology. They work to improve patient outcomes, develop clinical guidelines, and educate staff.
CNSs may work in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings. The demand for CNSs is only expected to grow as healthcare organizations seek to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care. CNSs earn an average annual salary of $86,971.
Best School for this Career: The University of Pennsylvania's School of Nursing offers a highly-regarded MSN program with a specialization in Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Occupational health nursing is another option to consider that offers more flexible schedules and non-traditional work environments.
Occupational health nurses are responsible for overseeing business settings and developing health and safety programs for businesses. They are responsible for promoting workplace health and safety and helping prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. So, you’ll likely be seeing more warehouses and offices than clinics and hospitals!
Occupational health nursing has a promising job outlook, with a projected job growth rate of 6% by the end of the decade, which is as fast as the average job growth rate.
Additionally, occupational health nurses enjoy an average annual salary of $92,838, which is a testament to the value they bring to their organizations.
Best School for this Career: The University of Washington's School of Nursing offers a highly-ranked MSN program with a specialization in Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing, preparing graduates for roles in occupational health.
For nurses who still want to be somewhat involved with patients but also have less hands-on duties, being a nurse case manager might just be the perfect fit! Nurse case managers also report high levels of job satisfaction due to the meaningful impact they have on their patients’ lives.
Nurse case manager job growth coincides with the 32% projected growth for all medical and health services managerial jobs between 2020 and 2030. The average nurse case manager salary is $94,248.
Best School for this Career: New York University's Rory Meyers College of Nursing offers a top-ranked MSN program with a specialization in Nursing Administration, preparing graduates for case management roles.
Nurse researchers generally work in universities, colleges, or research facilities, which means their job involves minimal patient interaction, which can be a plus for many seasoned nurses. While research is not the highest-paying nursing job, it is comparatively less stressful than other alternatives.
As the name suggests, these professionals conduct scientific research in the field of nursing to improve patient care and outcomes. Nurse researchers can look forward to a promising career outlook, with a projected job growth rate of 29% from 2022 to 2032, indicating a high demand for their skills and expertise.
Nurse researchers enjoy an average annual salary of $97,322, which can vary based on factors such as experience, qualifications, and location. This salary reflects the value that nurse researchers bring to their organizations and the critical role they play in advancing nursing knowledge and practice.
Best School for this Career: Johns Hopkins University's School of Nursing is consistently ranked among the top nursing schools for graduate programs, including the DNP and PhD programs that prepare nurses for research roles.
Pain management nurses specialize in assessing and treating patients with chronic pain. They work closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans.
Pain management nurses work in hospitals, clinics, or pain management centers. As the population ages and chronic pain becomes more prevalent, the demand for these nurses is expected to grow. They earn an average annual salary of $98,730.
Best School for this Career: The University of Maryland School of Nursing offers a well-regarded MSN program with a specialization in Pain and Palliative Care, preparing graduates for roles in pain management nursing.
Nurses who experience stress while interacting with patients but find working with computers more comfortable could not have asked for a better position. Nursing informatics specialists combine their nursing knowledge with their expertise in information technology to improve patient care and outcomes.
The average salary of informatics nurses is $101,440 per year. They can work in various healthcare settings, most notably in medical record companies. Informatics nurses are in high demand, and the field continues to grow as healthcare adopts new technological solutions for record keeping.
Best School for this Career: The University of Maryland School of Nursing offers a highly-regarded MSN program with a specialization in Nursing Informatics, preparing graduates for roles in healthcare technology and data management.
If you're looking for the least stressful nursing jobs, consider the nursing administration career path. While getting into nursing school can be challenging, nursing administrators have the opportunity to pursue leadership positions with autonomy and flexibility.
These professionals work in hospitals to manage healthcare facilities and oversee the operations of nursing departments. They enjoy a competitive average annual salary of $110,680 without having to deal with any patients directly!
The field is also expected to grow pretty rapidly—28% in the next decade.
Best School for this Career: The University of Pennsylvania's School of Nursing offers a highly-regarded MSN program with a specialization in Health Leadership, preparing graduates for administrative roles.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) play an important role in healthcare, specializing in caring for kids and adolescents.
PNPs perform comprehensive assessments, diagnose illnesses, and prescribe treatment for patients. Be aware though, the hardest part of this job is typically handling parents rather than the kids! It can also be emotionally taxing working with and even losing sick kids.
PNPs earn an average annual salary of $117,728.
Best School for this Career: The University of Pennsylvania's School of Nursing offers a top-ranked MSN program with a specialization in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, preparing graduates for roles in pediatric healthcare.
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) provide primary healthcare to women, including gynecological exams, family planning services, and prenatal care. They also attend births and provide postpartum care, making it the perfect job for those hoping to transition from more critical, and often depressing, units to one with more life and joy!
CNMs work in hospitals, clinics, and birthing centers. CNMs earn an average annual salary of $124,402.
Best School for this Career: The University of Michigan's School of Nursing offers a highly-regarded MSN program with a specialization in Nurse-Midwifery, preparing graduates for roles in women's health and childbirth.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary and specialty healthcare. They diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and educate patients on preventive care.
NPs can work in a lot of different settings, like clinics, hospitals, and private practices. NPs earn an average annual salary of $126,025.
Best School for this Career: The University of California, San Francisco’s School of Nursing consistently ranks among the top nursing schools for graduate programs, including the MSN program with multiple NP specializations. For those interested in remote education. Baylor University offers a doctor of education degree online.
Nursing directors oversee the nursing staff and ensure high-quality patient care. They manage budgets, develop policies and procedures, and work with other healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes.
As the healthcare industry continues to grow and evolve, the demand for skilled nursing directors is expected to increase. Nursing directors earn an average annual salary of $168,259.
Best School for this Career: The University of Washington's School of Nursing offers a top-ranked MSN program with a specialization in Nursing Leadership, preparing graduates for director-level positions.
CRNAs are among the highest-paid nurses. They provide anesthesia for medical procedures and surgeries and also help to prevent pain, ensuring patient comfort. CRNAs work in hospitals, surgery centers, and other settings, collaborating with doctors to provide safe anesthesia.
CRNAs have a promising career outlook, with a projected 45% increase in demand from 2020 to 2030. CRNAs are consistently ranked at the top in nursing careers for compensation, with an average salary of around $218,405 per year.
Best School for this Career: Duke University's School of Nursing offers a highly competitive DNP program with a specialization in Nurse Anesthesia, preparing graduates for CRNA roles.
Though it sounds stressful, Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) are top-level nurse administrators responsible for overseeing the nursing department and its daily operations. With one of the highest salaries, they develop and implement nursing policies, ensure compliance with regulations, and manage budgets.
The demand for qualified administrators in the healthcare field is increasing due to the complexity of the systems. This has contributed to the positive job outlook. CNOs earn an impressive average annual salary of $288,436.
Best School for this Career: Johns Hopkins University's School of Nursing offers a highly-regarded DNP program with a specialization in Executive Leadership, preparing graduates for top leadership roles in healthcare organizations.
If you’re just starting out your nursing journey, here’s a tool that can help you figure out which BSN program is right for you and your goals!
The main reasons nursing jobs are so stressful are because of their high demands. Not only are nurses under the stress of keeping several patients healthy and alive at once, but they are often in emergent and/or very high-pressure situations where they have to make the right decision in a split second!
Hospitals and clinics also face nursing shortages constantly, meaning they always have more on their plate than expected. Moreover, nurses typically work the hours no one wants to! They have long 12-hour shifts, sometimes throughout the night, and aren’t necessarily guaranteed any breaks!
Additionally, sick people are often not in the best mood and worried families can also be challenging to deal with. Nursing is considered a very thankless job, which can certainly add to the stress!
Still have questions? We have the answers below!
The least stressful nursing job on this list is the nurse educator. This job involves teaching students and training other nurses on the most current research, techniques, and medical advances.
This job is less physically demanding than other nursing positions, and nurse educators have more control over their schedules, making it easier to achieve a healthy work-life balance.
The happiest nurse job is a nurse educator. Nurse educators reported the highest satisfaction ratings of any other type of nurse, with 33% reporting that they were happy in their current role.
While nursing is a challenging profession, some nursing jobs are considered relatively easy and low-stress, including nurse educators, research nurses, and public health nurses.
As we've explored the top 20 least stressful nursing jobs for 2024, it's clear that there are numerous opportunities for nurses to find fulfillment and balance in their careers. From nurse educators shaping the future of healthcare to public health nurses promoting community well-being, these specialties offer a chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a more relaxed work environment.
It's important to remember that while these nursing jobs may be less stressful compared to other specialties, they still require dedication, skill, and a passion for helping others. Nurses in these roles continue to face challenges and must adapt to the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
As you consider your nursing career path, take the time to reflect on your skills, interests, and values. Whether you're drawn to the academic world of nurse education, the cutting-edge field of nursing informatics, or the compassionate care of hospice nursing, there's a specialty that can align with your goals and help you find joy in your work.
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