This guide explains where the best salaries are, which RN jobs pay the most with no experience, how to stand out, and what employers actually look for—even if your resume is light on bedside work.
Can You Get a High-Paying RN Job Without Experience?
Yes. While many hospitals prefer experienced nurses, experience is not the only factor that determines pay. Location, specialty, shift type, employer type, and certifications all play a major role in RN salaries.
New nurses who focus on strategic job selection rather than traditional entry-level roles often earn significantly more from day one.
Best High-Paying RN Jobs With No Experience
New Graduate RN Residency Programs
RN residency programs are designed specifically for newly licensed nurses and often offer competitive pay with structured training.
Why they pay well:
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Employer-funded training
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Guaranteed full-time hours
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Shift differentials for nights and weekends
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Fast career progression
Many hospital systems increase pay after 6–12 months of completion.
Travel RN Jobs for New Nurses
While most travel nursing roles require experience, some travel RN agencies hire new graduates for specific assignments.
Key benefits:
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Higher hourly pay
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Housing stipends
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Tax-free allowances
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Short-term contracts
New nurses who complete a brief residency or specialty training may qualify faster.
Home Health RN Positions
Home health RN jobs often pay more than hospital floor roles and may accept nurses with limited experience.
Why pay is higher:
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Independent work environment
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Mileage reimbursement
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Fewer patients per shift
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Lower stress compared to acute care
Long-Term Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities
Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and long-term care centers frequently offer above-average pay to attract staff.
These roles provide:
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Rapid hands-on experience
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Strong clinical skill development
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Overtime opportunities
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Shift bonuses
This path allows nurses to earn more early while building experience quickly.
Night Shift and Weekend RN Jobs
Night shift RN jobs and weekend-only schedules pay significantly more due to staffing demand.
New nurses can increase income by:
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Accepting overnight shifts
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Working weekend contracts
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Taking holiday rotations
Shift differentials alone can raise annual earnings by thousands.
Highest Paying RN Specialties That Accept New Nurses
ICU and Critical Care (With Training Programs)
Some hospitals hire new nurses into ICU residency programs, which lead to higher base pay.
Critical care nurses earn more due to:
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Advanced clinical skills
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Higher patient acuity
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Specialized certifications
Dialysis RN Jobs
Dialysis nursing often accepts new graduates and pays more than many entry-level roles.
Advantages include:
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Predictable schedules
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Lower patient ratios
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Outpatient work environment
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Strong salary growth
Behavioral Health RN Roles
Psychiatric RN jobs are in high demand and frequently open to nurses without prior experience.
These roles offer:
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Competitive salaries
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Lower physical strain
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Consistent scheduling
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Long-term job stability
Certifications That Increase RN Pay Without Experience
Even without work history, certifications can significantly boost earning potential.
Top options include:
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BLS and ACLS
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PALS
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NIH Stroke Scale
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IV Therapy Certification
Certifications signal readiness and reduce employer training costs.
How to Get Hired Faster as a New RN
Optimize Your RN Resume
A strong resume should highlight:
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Clinical rotations
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Capstone projects
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Simulation lab experience
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Relevant certifications
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Soft skills (communication, critical thinking)
Apply Strategically (Not Everywhere)
Focus on:
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Employers with nurse shortages
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Facilities offering sign-on bonuses
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Locations with higher RN demand
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Non-hospital healthcare settings
Quality applications outperform mass submissions.
Network Before You Apply
Many new nurses land jobs through:
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Clinical instructors
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Preceptors
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Nurse recruiters
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Professional nursing associations
A referral often bypasses experience filters.
States and Cities With the Highest RN Starting Salaries
RN pay varies widely by location. New nurses earn more in areas with:
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High healthcare demand
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Large hospital systems
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Aging populations
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Cost-of-living adjustments
Urban medical centers and regional healthcare hubs often offer higher starting wages even for new graduates.
Mistakes That Keep New Nurses Underpaid
Avoid these common errors:
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Accepting the first offer without negotiation
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Ignoring shift differentials
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Skipping certifications
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Limiting applications to one employer type
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Underestimating non-hospital roles
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest paying RN job with no experience?
Travel-adjacent roles, night shift hospital jobs, and specialty residency programs often pay the most initially.
Can new nurses negotiate salary?
Yes. New nurses can negotiate shift pay, sign-on bonuses, relocation assistance, and education benefits.
How long before a new RN can earn top pay?
Many nurses see significant pay increases within 6–18 months with strategic job moves.
Getting a high-paying RN job without experience is achievable with the right approach. By targeting the right roles, gaining strategic certifications, and choosing high-demand environments, new nurses can earn strong incomes early in their careers—without waiting years to climb the ladder.
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