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Clinical nurse educator vs nurse

The differences between clinical nurse 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 nurse educator and a nurse. Additionally, a clinical nurse educator has an average salary of $76,107, which is higher than the $57,564 average annual salary of a nurse.

The top three skills for a clinical nurse educator include patients, BLS and professional development. The most important skills for a nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.

Clinical nurse educator vs nurse overview

Clinical Nurse EducatorNurse
Yearly salary$76,107$57,564
Hourly rate$36.59$27.68
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs585,055696,124
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical nurse educator do?

Clinical nurse educators are nursing professionals who are responsible for teaching their fellow nurses working in health care facilities about the needed skills and knowledge to provide the best care to their patients. These nursing educators need to develop educational programs for nurses in the clinical setting. They must conduct an assessment by having their nurses respond to an online survey that may help them meet the needs of each nursing unit. They must also collaborate with nurse managers to create customized plans that provide a personalized instructional approach for each nurse.

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 nurse educator vs nurse salary

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

Clinical Nurse EducatorNurse
Average salary$76,107$57,564
Salary rangeBetween $58,000 And $99,000Between $38,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyCommunity Health SystemsConviva
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalGovernment

Differences between clinical nurse educator and nurse education

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

Clinical Nurse EducatorNurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Clinical nurse educator vs nurse demographics

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

Clinical Nurse EducatorNurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 10.7% Female, 89.3%Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.9% 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 nurse educator and nurse duties and responsibilities

Clinical nurse educator example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, administering medications, performing procedures and managing emergencies
  • Coordinate monthly certifications (CPR, ACLS, NRP).
  • Coordinate BLS HeartCode training and teach BLS - CPR to staff.
  • Teach CPR/BLS and ACLS to staff and lay people for certification.
  • Supervise four to six CPR instructors and provide annual performance evaluations.
  • Provide clinical nursing education in undergraduate and RN to BSN nursing program.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Clinical nurse educator vs nurse skills

Common clinical nurse educator skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • BLS, 7%
  • Professional Development, 5%
  • BSN, 4%
  • Clinical Education, 4%
  • Educational Programs, 4%
Common nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • BLS, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 4%

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