[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Degree Required[/hen-ui-text]ADN or BSN[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]How Long to Become[/hen-ui-text]4-6 years[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Job Outlook[/hen-ui-text]5% growth from 2024-2034[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pain management nursing is emotionally and financially rewarding. Many nurses want to help those in pain, and the average pain management nurse salary is higher than other nursing specialties.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn more about how to become a pain management nurse, what kind of education you need, and what the job involves.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Pain Management Nurse Overview[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many nurses entered nursing specifically to help those in pain. Pain management nurses administer medications and provide other treatments for either acute or chronic pain. These nurses play a collaborative role with the patient, family, and provider to achieve pain relief for the highest quality of life.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/pain-management/”]pain management nurse career[/hen-ui-link] can be rewarding, but it can also be very difficult. When you can only reduce pain rather than completely remove it, the job can be emotionally straining. It also means working with patients who might have a lot of pain and their families. Pain management nursing can also require difficult ethical judgment calls and decisions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Steps to Becoming a Pain Management Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The first step in becoming a pain management nurse is getting a registered nurse (RN) license. Pain management nursing is [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/”]an RN[/hen-ui-link] specialty. You will need to earn a degree in nursing, pass the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN), and receive a state license. Then you will begin work in pain management nursing. Once you have at least 2,000 hours of experience in pain management, you can apply for certification.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-image-card image-url=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/v1/NurseJournal.org/graduate.svg?_a=BAMCcSOY0″ image-alt=”Earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) image=”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]1. Earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)[/hen-ui-heading] You can earn either a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]two-year ADN[/hen-ui-link] or a four-year [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] degree. However, because of the complexities of pain management nursing, many employers require or strongly prefer a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/rn-and-bsn-degree-differences//”]BSN degree[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-image-card][hen-ui-image-card image-url=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/v1/NurseJournal.org/classes.svg?_a=BAMCcSOY0″ image-alt=”Pass the NCLEX exam to receive RN licensure image=”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]2. Pass the NCLEX exam to receive RN licensure[/hen-ui-heading] The NCLEX-RN exam is multiple choice. It has up to 145 questions, and you have five hours to complete it. Once you pass, you need to apply for a state license. States have different requirements, such as criminal background checks, so review the rules for your state.[/hen-ui-image-card][hen-ui-image-card image-url=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/v1/NurseJournal.org/find.svg?_a=BAMCcSOY0″ image-alt=”Gain experience in pain management image=”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]3. Gain experience in pain management[/hen-ui-heading] Once you’re licensed, you can begin pain management nursing at the entry level. Most nurses gain this experience in a hospital, nursing home, or specialty office. Specialties include oncology and rheumatology.[/hen-ui-image-card][hen-ui-image-card image-url=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/v1/NurseJournal.org/apply.svg?_a=BAMCcSOY0″ image-alt=”Earn pain management nursing certification (PMGT-BC™) image=”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]4. Earn pain management nursing certification (PMGT-BC™)[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To earn certification, you must have at least two years of full-time nursing experience. You must also [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//how-to-document-nursing-continuing-education/”]document nursing continuing education[/hen-ui-link] in pain management (at least 30 hours). Lastly, you should have 2,000 hours of pain management experience in the last three years.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While certification isn’t legally required, many employers require or strongly prefer it for higher-level positions. This can help you earn the best pain management nurse salary.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-image-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Pain Management Nurse Education[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are two possible education paths to consider when deciding how to become a pain management nurse: a two-year [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]ADN[/hen-ui-link] or a four-year BSN. While the ADN takes less time and tuition costs are less, and can lead to appealing [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/best-paying-adn-jobs/”]nursing jobs with an associate degree[/hen-ui-link], a four-year degree is typically required for mid- to upper-level positions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Earning a BSN for this [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/best-nursing-specialities-for-the-future//”]nursing specialty[/hen-ui-link] may be valuable because pain management nursing duties can be complex.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Pain Management Nurse Licensure and Certification[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certification is not legally required for pain management nursing, but most employers require or strongly prefer it for mid- and higher-level positions. It shows your knowledge and commitment to pain management nursing. Continuing education requirements also show that you are current in best practices in this rapidly changing field.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Working as a Pain Management Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Once you receive your license, you can start working as a pain management nurse. While nearly every nursing position involves pain management at some level, you can gain the most experience in surgery, oncology, and physical or occupational therapy. Geriatrics, rheumatology, or similar specialties are also good options.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While most pain management nursing is done in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and residential care, pain management nurses also work in [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/home-healthcare-nurse//”]home healthcare nursing[/hen-ui-link], military facilities, and [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/correctional-nurse/how-to-become/”]correctional nursing[/hen-ui-link] settings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/pain-management/”]Pain management nursing salaries[/hen-ui-link] are among the highest in nursing. [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.indeed.com/career/pain-management-nurse/salaries” target=”_blank”]According to Indeed[/hen-ui-link], the average annual salary for pain management nurses as of August 2025 is $129,828. By comparison, the median annual salary for registered nurses in general, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $93,600. The reasons for the higher salary include the common requirement of a BSN for pain management nursing and high demand for certified pain management nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pain management nurses can expect to perform different responsibilities depending on their work setting:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Pain Management Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to become a pain management nurse?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It takes at least two years to earn an ADN and become licensed. You can start pain management nursing in an entry-level position. However, most pain management nurses have at least two years of nursing experience (required for certification) and a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/four-year-bsn-degree/”]four-year BSN degree[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What opportunities for advancement are available for pain management nurses?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you have an ADN, you can earn a BSN. Certification can be valuable for advancement, and many employers require or strongly prefer it for higher-level or management positions. You can also [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/pain-management/how-to-become/”]become a pain management nurse practitioner[/hen-ui-link]. This role offers more autonomy and a higher salary.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can you become a pain management nurse online?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can earn your nursing degree online. However, [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//clinical-experience-for-online-nursing-students/”]clinical experience for an online nursing student[/hen-ui-link] must be completed in person. Most schools will help you find a clinical placement in your community. Once you have your nursing license, you can take the required continuing education for certification online.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What other healthcare professionals do pain management nurses work with?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pain management nursing calls for working with many other healthcare professionals. You will work with physicians or [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/”]nurse practitioners[/hen-ui-link] who prescribe pain medication. Depending on your workplace, you may work with surgeons, geriatricians, oncologists, rheumatologists, and other specialists. In residential care, you might work with social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, or other mental health specialists.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Reviewed by:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Shrilekha Deshaies, MSN, CCRN, RN” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/e_grayscale/v1629922631/experts/Shrilekha_Deshaies.jpg” img-alt=”Shrilekha Deshaies, MSN, CCRN, RN” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrilekha-deshaies-57008133/” target=”_blank”]Shri Deshaies[/hen-ui-link] MSN, RN, CCRN, is a nurse educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. She is a certified critical care nurse and has worked in various surgical intensive care units, including cardiovascular, trauma, and neurosurgery. Her passion for health equity led her to becoming a community [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/home-healthcare-nurse//”]home health nurse[/hen-ui-link]. She is a founding member of Nurses Serving our Neighbors which advocates for the homeless population. Deshaies recently completed a course to become a faith community nurse.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Shrilekha Deshaies is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare-review-partners//”]Learn more about our review partners[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex]