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Emergency department registered nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse

The differences between emergency department registered nurses and psychiatric registered nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an emergency department registered nurse and a psychiatric registered nurse. Additionally, an emergency department registered nurse has an average salary of $81,260, which is higher than the $73,053 average annual salary of a psychiatric registered nurse.

The top three skills for an emergency department registered nurse include patients, acls and acute care. The most important skills for a psychiatric registered nurse are patients, home health, and patient safety.

Emergency department registered nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse overview

Emergency Department Registered NursePsychiatric Registered Nurse
Yearly salary$81,260$73,053
Hourly rate$39.07$35.12
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs661,518640,480
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Associate Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

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.

What does a psychiatric registered nurse do?

A registered psychiatric nurse works alongside mental health experts to develop and administer psychiatric treatment plans according to the patients' needs. Among their responsibilities include gathering and organizing patient information, studying the patients' medical histories, conducting interviews and assessments, providing counseling, administering medicine, and restraining unsettled patients. There are also instances when they must conduct inspections to remove potentially harmful objects and provide psychoeducation to the patients' families. Above all, a registered psychiatric nurse must closely monitor the behavior of patients, record their daily progress, and report to the psychiatrists regularly.

Emergency department registered nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse salary

Emergency department registered nurses and psychiatric registered nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Emergency Department Registered NursePsychiatric Registered Nurse
Average salary$81,260$73,053
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $135,000Between $45,000 And $117,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiNew York
Best paying companyWhidbey General HospitalScripps Health
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between emergency department registered nurse and psychiatric registered nurse education

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

Emergency Department Registered NursePsychiatric Registered Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Associate Degree, 43%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Emergency department registered nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse demographics

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

Emergency Department Registered NursePsychiatric Registered Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 19.1% Female, 80.9%Male, 16.7% Female, 83.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between emergency department registered nurse and psychiatric registered nurse duties and responsibilities

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.
  • Show more

Psychiatric registered nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Collaborate with psychiatrists and therapists to coordinate detoxification protocol, medical and psychiatric care for mental health and substance abuse patients.
  • Perform psychiatric nursing assessments and medication management for patients in a residential detox and rehab for alcohol and substance abuse.
  • Certify CPR instructor and conduct CPR training sessions.
  • Staff RN; function in various duties of triage, staff, and charge nurse positions.
  • Communicate triage decisions to psychiatrists.
  • Show more

Emergency department registered nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse skills

Common emergency department registered nurse skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Acls, 9%
  • Acute Care, 6%
  • Life Support, 4%
  • Patient Outcomes, 4%
  • Advanced Life Support, 3%
Common psychiatric registered nurse skills
  • Patients, 33%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • Patient Safety, 4%
  • Substance Abuse, 4%
  • Triage, 4%
  • IM, 4%

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