Critical care nurse vs emergency department registered nurse

The differences between critical care nurses and emergency department registered nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an emergency department registered nurse has an average salary of $81,260, which is higher than the $76,788 average annual salary of a critical care nurse.

The top three skills for a critical care nurse include patients, BLS and acls. The most important skills for an emergency department registered nurse are patients, acls, and acute care.

Critical care nurse vs emergency department registered nurse overview

	Critical Care Nurse	Emergency Department Registered Nurse
Yearly salary	$76,788	$81,260
Hourly rate	$36.92	$39.07
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	594,859	661,518
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	2

What does a critical care nurse do?

A critical care nurse is responsible for providing quality care for patients confined in the intensive care unit of a health care facility. Critical care nurses maintain an organized medical chart to report the patient's condition to an attending physician and other medical professionals. They also administer medication, regularly check the patient's vital signs, and assist the doctors in conducting medical procedures and laboratory examinations. A critical care nurse also suggests care plans for the patients, especially during discharge, to ensure total recovery.

What does an emergency department registered nurse do?

An emergency registered nurse is first in line for patients who need a response. These nurses are first to respond to emergency cases such as trauma, allergic reactions, and injuries. They assist doctors and other medical staff in emergency medical care. It is their responsibility to always provide high-quality standards for nursing. The skills they should possess include diligence, attention to detail, levelheadedness, and strong communication. They also need to be knowledgeable about emergency care.

Critical care nurse vs emergency department registered nurse salary

Critical care nurses and emergency department registered nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Critical Care Nurse	Emergency Department Registered Nurse
Average salary	$76,788	$81,260
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $130,000	Between $48,000 And $135,000
Highest paying City	Palo Alto, CA	Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state	California	Hawaii
Best paying company	Dignity Health	Whidbey General Hospital
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between critical care nurse and emergency department registered nurse education

There are a few differences between a critical care nurse and an emergency department registered nurse in terms of educational background:

	Critical Care Nurse	Emergency Department Registered Nurse
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Critical care nurse vs emergency department registered nurse demographics

Here are the differences between critical care nurses' and emergency department registered nurses' demographics:

	Critical Care Nurse	Emergency Department Registered Nurse
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 18.9% Female, 81.1%	Male, 19.1% Female, 80.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between critical care nurse and emergency department registered nurse duties and responsibilities

Critical care nurse example responsibilities.

Interpret laboratory results, EKG readings, cardiac monitors, managing medication drips, and ventilator settings.
Monitor chemotherapy and administration of oral chemo medication, obtain laboratory specimens to manage client status via central lines.
Work on the general units of rehabilitation, geriatrics, and telemetry.
Work in critical care floors ranging from MICU to SICU to regular ICU.
Perform emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS, and other condition stabilizing interventions.
Care for patients with a wide variety of critical illnesses and are CCRN certify for many years.

Emergency department registered nurse example responsibilities.

Monitor and manage chest tubes and various drainage devices along with pacer wires, epidural lines, and PCA pumps.
Stabilize critical patients through the use of BLS and ACLS protocols.
Assess patients and prioritize care: stabilize multiple critical patients using ACLS and BLS protocols.
Provide direct patient care including triage evaluation and treatment of patients presenting for care for medical/trauma/psychiatric care.
Perform triage, assessments, complete MD orders assist in treatment and admit or discharge patients requiring/receiving emergency care
Provide comprehensive care to patients that addressed the physical, social, spiritual and mental aspects of care and rehabilitation.

Critical care nurse vs emergency department registered nurse skills

Common critical care nurse skills

Patients, 31%
BLS, 11%
Acls, 8%
Life Support, 5%
Quality Care, 3%
Compassion, 3%

Common emergency department registered nurse skills

Patients, 27%
Acls, 9%
Acute Care, 6%
Life Support, 4%
Patient Outcomes, 4%
Advanced Life Support, 3%

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Critical Care Nurse
Critical Care Nurse vs Emergency Department Registered Nurse

Updated January 8, 2025

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