What is a Pain Management Nurse Practitioner? (Duties, Steps to Become, & Salary)
Written By:
Kasee Wiesen
Kasee Wiesen DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Kasee Wiesen is a practicing family nurse practitioner. Her nursing background includes emergency medicine, pediatrics and peri-op. She started her health career as a nurse’s aid while pursuing her bachelor’s in nursing degree in a hospital setting. Education is a passion of Kasee’s, and after working as a BSN prepared nursed, she obtained in master’s in nursing education and began teaching adjunct for a local university. Read Full Bio »» DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for three months or longer—and it can lead to an impact on a person’s quality of life. The number of people who experienced chronic pain management in 2022 was 51.7 million, and an additional 17.1 million experienced high-impact chronic pain. This is a substantial number supporting the need for more pain management nurse practitioners to meet the needs of the population.
So, what is a pain management nurse practitioner? Below, I will discuss the role of a pain management nurse practitioner, including what they do, the steps to become, and their salary.
What Does a Pain Management Nurse Practitioner Do? – 6 Main Duties
1. Assess and evaluate the patient’s pain:
A pain management nurse practitioner will assess and evaluate the patient’s pain. You do this through the use of various questionnaires along with physical assessments, and using the questionnaires at each appointment will allow you to track the patient’s pain and identify any patterns of improvement or worsening of their symptoms.
2. Develop treatment plans for acute pain:
As a pain management NP, you will develop plans specific to each person’s acute pain. This may include pharmacologic options such as NSAIDs or non-pharmacologic options, including a TENS unit or physical therapy.
3. Develop treatment plans to treat a person’s chronic pain:
As a pain management NP, you will manage your patient’s chronic pain similarly to their acute pain but may use other modalities such as injections, nerve stimulators, or other surgical procedures.
4. Routine follow-ups with patients to ensure treatment plans (pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic) are appropriate and individualized:
The pain management NP will conduct routine follow-ups with their patients, which may occur monthly, every three months, etc. This ensures the patient is compliant with the treatment plan, the treatment is individualized and appropriate, and no alterations are needed.
5. Collaborate with other health professionals to manage patient’s acute or chronic pain:
Collaborating with other health professionals is an essential role of the pain management NP. Communicating frequently with the patient’s primary care provider is crucial, and working with specialties such as orthopedics, neurology, or even neurosurgery/spine specialists is essential.
6. Adhere to state and federal regulations regarding pain management policies—specifically related to prescribing controlled substances:
Pain management NPs must adhere to state and federal laws associated with prescribing controlled substances. In the state I practice, this includes completing a drug screen at least once a year and having a pain management contract on file (which must be updated every two years).
Where Do Pain Management Nurse Practitioners Mostly Work? – Top 3 Work Settings
Pain management NPs are versatile in where they can work. You may work for a large organization or a smaller private practice. You can also be specific regarding the population served—which may include pediatrics, adults, or older adults. Three common settings where pain management NPs work include:
1. Outpatient pain management clinics:
Outpatient pain management clinics provide pain management to patients with various conditions and pain symptoms. Patients who use outpatient pain management clinics are typically experiencing chronic pain, and at these facilities, they may receive pain medication, non-pharmacologic treatments, and injections.
2. Long-term care facilities:
You may work in a long-term care facility managing the acute and chronic pain of the residents.
3. Inpatient (Hospitals):
You can also work in hospitals caring for inpatients suffering from acute and chronic pain. Not every patient needs a pain management consult in the hospital. Still, the hospitalist or other healthcare provider may consult pain management depending on the source of pain or if there is resistance to the initial treatment plan.
What is the Typical Work Schedule and Work Hours of a Pain Management NP?
The typical work schedule of a pain management NP is Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. This can change based on the setting worked—for example, if working in a surgery center, you may need to be at work around 7 am or could stay later than 5 pm, depending on the surgery schedule. Also, if you work in an inpatient setting, you may need to work weekends and holidays.
What Education is Required to Become a Pain Management Nurse Practitioner After High School?
To become a pain management nurse practitioner after high school, you must complete your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. This is a requirement before applying to graduate school. Once you have your BSN, you can apply to graduate school—either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) nurse practitioner program or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nurse practitioner program. When applying to one of these graduate program pathways, you must declare which NP specialty you wish to pursue, such as family medicine, which can lead to a career in pain management.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Pain Management NP After High School?
Program Type | Program Length |
BSN | 36 to 48 Months |
BSN-to-MSN (NP) | 12 to 24 Months |
BSN-to-DNP (NP) | 36 to 48 Months |
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Pain Management NP After High School?
Program Type | Program Cost |
BSN | $8,730 - $219,450 |
BSN-to-MSN (NP) | $20,740 - $201,980 |
BSN-to-DNP (NP) | $28,390 - $277,320 |
What is the Step-By-Step Process of Becoming a Pain Management Nurse Practitioner After High School?
(The following is a step-by-step process to become a Pain Management NP after high school.)
STEP #1: Graduate from an accredited BSN program:
You must graduate from an accredited BSN program before applying to graduate school.
STEP #2: Pass NCLEX and obtain state RN licensure:
Before you can begin practicing as an RN, you must pass the NCLEX and obtain RN licensure in the state where you will be practicing.
STEP #3: Gain experience as an RN (this step is optional):
Not all NP programs require RN experience before applying; I recommend at least one year of experience as a nurse before applying to NP school—and this experience should involve managing patient’s pain in an inpatient or outpatient setting. The experience of managing pain as an RN will help you during graduate school and better prepare you for a career as a pain management nurse practitioner.
STEP #4: Obtain any required or recommended certifications:
There is no specific certification for the pain management NP, but there is a
pain management certification for a nurse. Getting this certification prior to starting your career as a pain management NP is beneficial. You can obtain this certification prior to applying to graduate school, complete it while in graduate school, or earn it after completion of your graduate school.
STEP #5: Determine the APRN specialty you want to pursue:
Before applying to NP school, you must decide which NP specialty you wish to pursue—family medicine or acute care adult or adult/gerontology are examples of specialties that will prepare you to become a pain management NP.
STEP #6: Apply to graduate school:
Once you determine your NP specialty, the next step is to apply to graduate school.
STEP #7: Graduate from your NP program.
STEP #8: Pass board certification exam:
After graduation from your NP program, you must pass your certification exam whether that is in (family medicine, acute care adult or acute care adult/gerontology) before you can obtain your APRN license and begin practicing.
STEP #9: Apply for NP Jobs:
You can apply for pain management NP jobs before graduation or wait until you obtain your APRN license.
STEP #10: Start Working:
Accept your pain management NP job and enjoy a new career.
What are the Required or Recommended Certifications for Pain Management Nurse Practitioners?
ANCC Pain Management Nursing Board certification examination: The ANCC Pain Management Nursing Board certification exam is for nurses with knowledge of pain management. While this exam is for registered nurses, it is beneficial for nurse practitioners, too. You must have two years of RN experience, and the certification is renewed every five years.
Are There Any Fellowship or Residency Programs Available for Pain Management Nurse Practitioners?
There are no fellowship or residency programs specific for pain management nurse practitioners.
What is the Starting Salary of a New Grad Pain Management Nurse Practitioner?
The starting salary for a new grad pain management NP is $44.10 an hour, which leads to a monthly salary of $7,640. Your salary may vary based on where you live, the setting worked, and if you work full-time vs. part-time.
Hourly | $44.10 |
Weekly | $1,764 |
Monthly | $7,640 |
Annual | $91,730 |
What is the Average Salary of a Pain Management Nurse Practitioner?
The average pain management nurse practitioner salary is $62.96 an hour, leading to a weekly wage of $2,518 and an annual salary of $130,950. Your salary may vary depending on years of experience and where you work.
Hourly | $62.96 |
Weekly | $2,518 |
Monthly | $10,910 |
Annual | $130,950 |
(Source: Nursingprocess.org) |
What is the Salary by Level of Experience of a Pain Management NP?
As I mentioned above, the salary of a pain management NP is variable based on their years of experience. An entry-level pain management NP will have an average annual salary of $91,730 compared to a pain management NP with 5-9 years of experience, who will make an average of $127,730 annually. A pain management NP with 20 years or more experience can make an average annual salary of $173,550.
Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
Entry-Level | $44.10 | $1,764 | $7,640 | $91,730 |
1-4 Years of Experience | $52.13 | $2,085 | $9,040 | $108,440 |
5-9 Years of Experience | $61.41 | $2,456 | $10,640 | $127,730 |
10-19 Years of Experience | $68.40 | $2,736 | $11,860 | $142,280 |
20 Years or More Experience | $83.44 | $3,338 | $14,460 | $173,550 |
What is the Average Salary of a Pain Management NP by State?
Where a pain management NP lives will also impact their average salary. A pain management NP in California will make an average of $166,080 per year, significantly higher than a pain management NP in Tennessee, where the average annual pain management NP salary is $104,330.
You can attribute the difference in salary due to the demand for pain management NPs and the cost of living for each state. Below, you will find a list of the average salary of a pain management NP in each of the 50 states.
State | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
Alabama | $53.83 | $2,153 | $9,330 | $111,970 |
Alaska | $58.77 | $2,351 | $10,190 | $122,240 |
Arizona | $61.31 | $2,452 | $10,630 | $127,520 |
Arkansas | $54.09 | $2,163 | $9,380 | $112,500 |
California | $79.85 | $3,194 | $13,840 | $166,080 |
Colorado | $58.80 | $2,352 | $10,190 | $122,300 |
Connecticut | $66.39 | $2,656 | $11,510 | $138,100 |
Delaware | $60.88 | $2,435 | $10,550 | $126,630 |
Florida | $55.70 | $2,228 | $9,660 | $115,860 |
Georgia | $58.29 | $2,332 | $10,100 | $121,250 |
Hawaii | $64.79 | $2,592 | $11,230 | $134,760 |
Idaho | $59.44 | $2,378 | $10,300 | $123,640 |
Illinois | $61.76 | $2,470 | $10,710 | $128,460 |
Indiana | $61.47 | $2,459 | $10,650 | $127,850 |
Iowa | $64.73 | $2,589 | $11,220 | $134,630 |
Kansas | $56.39 | $2,256 | $9,770 | $117,290 |
Kentucky | $55.19 | $2,208 | $9,570 | $114,790 |
Louisiana | $59.69 | $2,388 | $10,350 | $124,150 |
Maine | $59.74 | $2,389 | $10,350 | $124,250 |
Maryland | $60.42 | $2,417 | $10,470 | $125,670 |
Massachusetts | $70.04 | $2,802 | $12,140 | $145,680 |
Michigan | $57.45 | $2,298 | $9,960 | $119,500 |
Minnesota | $64.72 | $2,589 | $11,220 | $134,610 |
Mississippi | $59.21 | $2,368 | $10,260 | $123,160 |
Missouri | $57.15 | $2,286 | $9,910 | $118,870 |
Montana | $60.57 | $2,423 | $10,500 | $125,990 |
Nebraska | $60.07 | $2,403 | $10,410 | $124,950 |
Nevada | $68.79 | $2,752 | $11,920 | $143,080 |
New Hampshire | $63.51 | $2,541 | $11,010 | $132,110 |
New Jersey | $72.33 | $2,893 | $12,540 | $150,450 |
New Mexico | $65.42 | $2,617 | $11,340 | $136,080 |
New York | $71.43 | $2,857 | $12,380 | $148,580 |
North Carolina | $57.79 | $2,312 | $10,020 | $120,210 |
North Dakota | $57.53 | $2,301 | $9,970 | $119,670 |
Ohio | $59.30 | $2,372 | $10,280 | $123,350 |
Oklahoma | $61.47 | $2,459 | $10,660 | $127,860 |
Oregon | $68.80 | $2,752 | $11,930 | $143,100 |
Pennsylvania | $60.87 | $2,435 | $10,550 | $126,610 |
Rhode Island | $63.25 | $2,530 | $10,960 | $131,550 |
South Carolina | $55.11 | $2,204 | $9,550 | $114,620 |
South Dakota | $58.38 | $2,335 | $10,120 | $121,420 |
Tennessee | $50.16 | $2,006 | $8,690 | $104,330 |
Texas | $62.95 | $2,518 | $10,910 | $130,930 |
Utah | $58.38 | $2,335 | $10,120 | $121,420 |
Vermont | $58.88 | $2,355 | $10,210 | $122,470 |
Virginia | $59.07 | $2,363 | $10,240 | $122,860 |
Washington | $68.47 | $2,739 | $11,870 | $142,410 |
West Virginia | $53.92 | $2,157 | $9,350 | $112,160 |
Wisconsin | $61.21 | $2,448 | $10,610 | $127,310 |
Wyoming | $58.18 | $2,327 | $10,090 | $121,020 |
What is the Job Outlook Like for This Career?
The job outlook for a pain management NP is excellent, with a predicted growth of over 44% between 2022 and 2032. This may be due to the aging population and the expected physician shortage over the same period. I can tell you from my own experience I am seeing more and more patients with chronic pain who benefit significantly from pain management—further supporting the need for more pain management NPs.
Useful Organizations and Associations
My Final Thoughts
The need for high-quality pain management nurse practitioners is evident. The number of people living with chronic pain has only increased over the last decade, and I do not foresee that trend changing. After reading the above article, I hope you can now answer the question, what is a pain management nurse practitioner? You now have a strong understanding of the role of a pain management nurse practitioner, including what they do, the steps to become, and their salary.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered
1. On Average, How Much Does A Pain Management NP Make Per Hour?
The average salary of a Pain Management nurse practitioner per hour is $62.96.
2. On Average, How Much Does A Pain Management NP Make Per Week?
The average salary of a Pain Management nurse practitioner per week is $2,518.
3. On Average, How Much Does A Pain Management NP Make Per Month?
The average salary of a Pain Management nurse practitioner per month is $10,910.
4. On Average, How Much Does A Pain Management NP Make Per Year?
The average salary of a Pain Management nurse practitioner per year is $130,950.
List of Sources Used for This Article
1.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7215a1.htm
2.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4798-chronic-pain
3.
https://www.onetonline.org/link/certinfo/6131-C
4.
https://aspmn.org/
Kasee Wiesen DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Kasee Wiesen is a practicing family nurse practitioner. Her nursing background includes emergency medicine, pediatrics and peri-op. Education is a passion of Kasee’s, and she has taught BSN, RN-BSN and DNP students, and has enjoyed every moment of it!