• Median pay: $89,300
• Top pay: $130,000
• 10-year job growth: 19%

These advanced practice RNs act as a clinical resource for nurses and work closely with the staff on complex or high-risk patients. Most work in hospitals and evaluate current protocols and help implement new policies. They primarily focus on improving patient care, and can specialize in a particular area of care like oncology or pain management.

What's great: Figuring out the best care plan or creating a new system-wide procedure to improve care is a satisfying perk of the job. "You can be influential with the care of many patients and the staff looks to you for support and guidance," said JoAnne Phillips, a CNS. "There's nothing better than seeing the twinkle in a nurse's eye of 'Oh, now I get it.'" --K.V.

Quality of life ratings:
Personal satisfaction: A | Benefit to society: A | Low stress: B

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