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Head nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse

The differences between head nurses and registered nurses charge 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 registered nurse charge nurse. Additionally, a head nurse has an average salary of $80,173, which is higher than the $71,342 average annual salary of a registered nurse charge nurse.

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

Head nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse overview

Head NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Yearly salary$80,173$71,342
Hourly rate$38.54$34.30
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs649,127645,134
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Associate Degree, 51%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Head nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse salary

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

Head NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average salary$80,173$71,342
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $132,000Between $46,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNSan Diego, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyAstraZenecaAlameda Health System
Best paying industryEducationHealth Care

Differences between head nurse and registered nurse charge nurse education

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

Head NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Associate Degree, 51%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Head nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse demographics

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

Head NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 13.1% Female, 86.9%Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%
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, 11.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between head nurse and registered nurse charge 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.
  • Show more

Registered nurse charge nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage intravenous therapy via peripheral and central catheters; antibiotic, TPN/lipid, constant cardiac medication infusion and fluid administration.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Assess and carefully monitor medically diverse patients who require telemetry and safely administer medications.
  • Collaborate with ICU team to provide excellent patient care utilizing critical thinking skills and evidence-base practice.
  • Document patient medical history and symptoms, administer treatment and medications, and follow-up with patients during rehabilitation.
  • Respond to codes, administering CPR and oxygen, monitoring vitals and preparing medications in anticipation of physician orders.
  • Show more

Head nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse skills

Common head nurse skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • BLS, 9%
  • Compassion, 6%
  • Acute Care, 6%
  • Acls, 4%
  • CPR, 3%
Common registered nurse charge nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 8%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Direct Patient Care, 4%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%

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