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Clinical educator vs nurse

The differences between clinical educators and nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a clinical educator and a nurse. Additionally, a clinical educator has an average salary of $65,929, which is higher than the $57,564 average annual salary of a nurse.

The top three skills for a clinical educator include patients, patient care and excellent interpersonal. The most important skills for a nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.

Clinical educator vs nurse overview

Clinical EducatorNurse
Yearly salary$65,929$57,564
Hourly rate$31.70$27.68
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs60,065696,124
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical educator do?

A clinical educator is primarily responsible for devising training programs for nurses and other health workers. They mostly coordinate with different departments and conduct skills assessments to determine areas that need improvement, develop various methods to make operations more manageable, and even organize certification programs. A clinical educator may also treat and handle patients, manage schedules, produce progress reports, and maintain an extensive record of all documentation. Moreover, as a clinical educator, it is essential to implement the medical facility's policies and regulations.

What does a nurse do?

Nurses are medical professionals assigned to a specific department in the hospital and provide their trusted department services. Nurses are in charge of taking patients' medical histories, getting vital signs, preparing patients for checkups or procedures, explaining upcoming practices, answering any questions, and communicating any concerns to the assigned doctor. Nurses should ensure that patients follow the medical advice given to them. They also assist patients in completing administrative requirements, such as filling out forms, validating details, and endorsing payments.

Clinical educator vs nurse salary

Clinical educators and nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical EducatorNurse
Average salary$65,929$57,564
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $96,000Between $38,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CityNorwich, CTSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyBoehringer IngelheimConviva
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between clinical educator and nurse education

There are a few differences between a clinical educator and a nurse in terms of educational background:

Clinical EducatorNurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Clinical educator vs nurse demographics

Here are the differences between clinical educators' and nurses' demographics:

Clinical EducatorNurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 19.4% Female, 80.6%Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 9.0% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical educator and nurse duties and responsibilities

Clinical educator example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage customer training materials and deliver in-service and technical training programs for new and existing customers.
  • Provide case management with physicians recommendations and assistance navigating insurance such as Medicare, Medicaid and manage care.
  • Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, administering medications, performing procedures and managing emergencies
  • Provide education within the community for cardiac health, CPR and ACLS.
  • Provide ACLS and BLS classes for staff, physicians, and community groups.
  • Design and present annual mandatory competencies, OSHA, and CPR classes to current professional staff.
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Nurse example responsibilities.

  • Monitor patients' status during surgery (circulate in operating room) and manage patients in PACU.
  • Manage high-acuity cardiac/pulmonary and psychiatric patients
  • Monitor patients for cardiac rhythm changes and implement medication according to ACLS guidelines.
  • Educate patients and families on diseases processes, medications, wind care, and iv infusion.
  • Provide care for patients on medical/surgical, transplant, cardiac, orthopedic, postpartum, neonatal ICU, and psychiatric units
  • Demonstrate competence in CPR and other medical emergency situations.
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Clinical educator vs nurse skills

Common clinical educator skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 10%
  • BLS, 7%
  • Educational Programs, 5%
  • Professional Development, 5%
Common nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • BLS, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 4%

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