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Head nurse vs nurse

The differences between head nurses 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 head nurse and a nurse. Additionally, a head nurse has an average salary of $80,173, which is higher than the $57,564 average annual salary of a nurse.

The top three skills for a head nurse include patients, BLS and compassion. The most important skills for a nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.

Head nurse vs nurse overview

Head NurseNurse
Yearly salary$80,173$57,564
Hourly rate$38.54$27.68
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs649,127696,124
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Head nurse vs nurse salary

Head nurses and nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Head NurseNurse
Average salary$80,173$57,564
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $132,000Between $38,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAstraZenecaConviva
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between head nurse and nurse education

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

Head NurseNurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Head nurse vs nurse demographics

Here are the differences between head nurses' and nurses' demographics:

Head NurseNurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 13.1% Female, 86.9%Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.2% 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 head nurse and nurse duties and responsibilities

Head nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Receive intensive training for critical care skill development upon transferring to the medical ICU.
  • Perform advanced nursing care to acute/chronic medical/surgical, cardiac, thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic and oncology/ hematology patients.
  • Certify staff in CPR and blood glucose monitoring.
  • Develop and implement an intensive care class for the staff; implement ACLS class for all staff.
  • Develop process improvement plan with bundles for sedation and ventilation.
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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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Head nurse vs nurse skills

Common head nurse skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • BLS, 9%
  • Compassion, 6%
  • Acute Care, 6%
  • Acls, 4%
  • CPR, 3%
Common nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • BLS, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 4%

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