What are the best paid nursing jobs UK?

The role of nursing is varied, with many nurses specialising in a single discipline such as midwifery, anesthesia or psychiatry. The responsibility for each varies considerably, a situation that results in some nurses getting paid significantly more than others. This begs the question, what are the best paid nursing jobs UK healthcare employers have to offer?

While it’s never wise to choose a nursing discipline because it pays more, this article should give qualified nurses an idea of how much they can earn. Whether you are currently working in the UK healthcare industry or are planning on travelling from overseas for a role, we believe it is important to understand what similarly qualified nurses are earning across various specialities.

1. Anesthetic nurse salary

Median income: £73,000
Locum rates: Up to £45 per hour

Anesthetic nurses are responsible for administering anesthetic drugs to patients before surgery. They work with surgeons, dentists and podiatrists to safely administer anesthetic medications under guidance from the anaesthetist. They also remain close to the patient during surgery to provide logistical support.

Anesthetic nurses need to complete 9-months of specialist training before they can work independently. Throughout the training, period nurses are continually assessed by a mentor. To be considered for training nurses need to have achieved a Master's degree and have experience working in an A+E department.

2. Certified Midwife salary

Median income: £58,000
Locum rates: Up to £48 per hour

Midwives provide prenatal and neonatal care for women during pregnancy and childbirth. Their responsibilities include supporting pregnant mothers with advice and information, completing gynaecological examinations, and delivering prenatal and neonatal support.

Midwives work in hospitals, but they also provide care to patients at home. Nurses wishing to work as a Midwife in the NHS will need an internationally recognised Midwife qualification. Opportunities are also available to join a midwifery degree apprenticeship for practitioner nurses already working in the NHS.

3. Research nurse salary

Median income: £50,000
Locum rates: Up to £35 per hour

Research nurses play a leading role in ensuring clinical trials and studies run smoothly. They typically work closely with doctors and pharmaceutical companies where they help to develop new drug trials and treatments. They are also involved in the day-to-day management of the trial itself.

This role requires a wide range of clinical experience but applicants also need excellent communication and leadership skills, good organisational skills and the ability to prioritize information. Applicants should also be familiar with spreadsheets, word processing and presentation software.

4. Orthopaedic nurse salary

Median income: £46,000
Locum rates: Up to £35 per hour

Orthopaedic nurses support patients with different types of musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, tendinitis, osteoarthritis and bone fractures. The role involves supporting patients while in hospital while also educating patients on how to manage their condition at home.

Orthopaedic nurses should be familiar with the different types of treatments available in hospitals, such as casting and traction, as well as the services and support the NHS provides to support patients at home. The role may also involve helping doctors during surgery.

5. Paediatric Endocrinology nurse salary

Median income: £45,000
Locum rates: Up to £48 per hour

Paediatric Endocrinology nurses care for young children suffering from endocrine diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis. Along with providing medical support for children, the role also involves educating parents on the physical issues that may arise in children living with these disorders.

While there is no specific Paediatric Endocrinology qualification, nurses seeking to specialize in Pediatric Endocrinology should have experience treating children in a ward setting. They should also have experience supporting diabetes and have Basic Life Support (BLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.

6. Geriatric nurse salary

Median income: £45,000
Locum rates: Up to £35 per hour

Geriatric nurses specialise in the care of aging patients with a range of physical, mental and social ailments. Gerontological nurses can specialise in offering acute or primary care. Acute carers focus on treating illnesses and are usually hospital-based. Primary carers focus on health prevention and are community-based.

Geriatric nursing requires a multidisciplinary skillset as patients come into the ward with a wide range of ailments, from degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease to injuries caused by falls. Geriatric nurses, therefore, need to be well versed in caring for a wide range of problems.

7. Mental health nurse salary

Median income: £41,000
Locum rates: Up to £35 per hour

Mental health nurses, sometimes called psychiatric nurses, provide care and support to patients with a range of mental health and psychiatric disorders. Responsibilities include assessing the patient's mental state, developing a care plan and monitoring the effectiveness of the plan.

The role is varied with care provided in hospitals, specialist mental health institutions, local community health centres and patients’ homes. Mental health nurses need excellent observation skills and the ability to empathise with patients. The job can also be physically demanding so a good standard of physical fitness is required.

8. Nurse practitioner salary

Median income: £40,000
Locum rates: Up to £45 per hour

Nurse practitioners are nurses that have taken additional education that allows them to perform more advanced care. Responsibilities include prescribing medication, carrying out examinations, making diagnoses and recommending treatment plans.

To become an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in the NHS requires education to a Master's level. Experienced applicants that do not have a suitable Master's degree may be accepted on a training program that includes Level 7 degree level training for minor illness and injuries.

9. Neonatal nurse salary

Median income: £34,500
Locum rates: Up to £48 per hour

Neonatal nurses care for sick premature and newborn babies. They typically work in high dependency special care baby units where responsibilities include preparing and administering medication, managing bodily fluids and recording observations. They also need basic resuscitation skills.

Neonatal nurses work closely with other specialists including paediatricians, midwives and children’s nurses. This means good communication skills are extremely important. Other desirable skills include good organization skills, the ability to prioritise effectively and excellent observational skills.

10. Clinical Nurse Specialist salary

Median income: £32,500
Locum rates: Up to £35 per hour

Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) are experienced nurses that have specialised in a specific area. Current CNS specializations include Adult Health, Psychiatric and Mental Health, Gastroenterology, Diabetes management, Gerontology, Home Health, Neuro-Oncology, Pediatrics and Community Health.

Depending on the chosen specialization CNS roles can be based in a hospital, community care centre, laboratory or the patients home. The role has a clinical function but applicants should also be patient-focused to ensure they deliver the level of care required.

Register today to find the best paid nursing jobs UK

Locum Nurses in the UK will typically earn £20-48 per hour, with overtime rates available over the weekends and night shifts. Globe Locums is a leading UK nursing locum agency. We list hundreds of UK nursing jobs in major cities around the UK including London, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.

If you are wondering what are the best paid nursing jobs UK public and private healthcare providers have to offer, register your details with us today and we’ll find you the perfect role.