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Head nurse vs oncology nurse

The differences between head nurses and oncology 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 an oncology nurse. Additionally, a head nurse has an average salary of $80,173, which is higher than the $72,372 average annual salary of an oncology nurse.

The top three skills for a head nurse include patients, BLS and compassion. The most important skills for an oncology nurse are patients, chemotherapy, and medical oncology.

Head nurse vs oncology nurse overview

Head NurseOncology Nurse
Yearly salary$80,173$72,372
Hourly rate$38.54$34.79
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs649,127584,649
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Head nurse vs oncology nurse salary

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

Head NurseOncology Nurse
Average salary$80,173$72,372
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $132,000Between $41,000 And $127,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNCarmichael, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAstraZenecaWashington Hospital Healthcare System
Best paying industryEducationHealth Care

Differences between head nurse and oncology nurse education

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

Head NurseOncology Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Head nurse vs oncology nurse demographics

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

Head NurseOncology Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 13.1% Female, 86.9%Male, 8.9% Female, 91.1%
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, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between head nurse and oncology 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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Oncology nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Gain significant experience in diverse areas of nursing process for oncology and transplant patients; administer chemotherapy and blood products.
  • Initiate CPR on nonresponsive patients.
  • Provide intravenous therapy in a home bound setting to include simple chemo therapy and PICC care along with other VADS.
  • Provide professional nursing care for patients as it relates to provider orders and chemotherapy administration and education.
  • Provide care to rehabilitation patients on rehab unit assist in activities of daily living, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
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Head nurse vs oncology nurse skills

Common head nurse skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • BLS, 9%
  • Compassion, 6%
  • Acute Care, 6%
  • Acls, 4%
  • CPR, 3%
Common oncology nurse skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Chemotherapy, 7%
  • Medical Oncology, 5%
  • Patient Education, 4%
  • Hematology Oncology, 3%
  • Patient Outcomes, 3%

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