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Infection control nurse vs nurse

The differences between infection control 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 an infection control nurse and a nurse. Additionally, an infection control nurse has an average salary of $75,171, which is higher than the $57,564 average annual salary of a nurse.

The top three skills for an infection control nurse include patients, infection prevention and infection control. The most important skills for a nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.

Infection control nurse vs nurse overview

Infection Control NurseNurse
Yearly salary$75,171$57,564
Hourly rate$36.14$27.68
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs279,739696,124
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does an infection control nurse do?

Infection Control Nurses are the first responders to an outbreak of an infection. They must quickly contain an infection and ensure that it is not spread to other individuals. They also helps in spreading information about disease prevention and protecting public health. After the initial containment of the disease, it is the nurse's job to take care of the patient and work under a doctor to help the patient recover and become healthy again.

What does a nurse do?

Nurses are medical professionals assigned to a specific department in the hospital and provide their trusted department services. Nurses are in charge of taking patients' medical histories, getting vital signs, preparing patients for checkups or procedures, explaining upcoming practices, answering any questions, and communicating any concerns to the assigned doctor. Nurses should ensure that patients follow the medical advice given to them. They also assist patients in completing administrative requirements, such as filling out forms, validating details, and endorsing payments.

Infection control nurse vs nurse salary

Infection control nurses and nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Infection Control NurseNurse
Average salary$75,171$57,564
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $110,000Between $38,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyConnecticut Children's Medical CenterConviva
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between infection control nurse and nurse education

There are a few differences between an infection control nurse and a nurse in terms of educational background:

Infection Control NurseNurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Infection control nurse vs nurse demographics

Here are the differences between infection control nurses' and nurses' demographics:

Infection Control NurseNurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 12.5% Female, 87.5%Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 infection control nurse and nurse duties and responsibilities

Infection control nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage cases of patients recently hospitalize, afflict with chronic debilitating conditions and other long-term care needs.
  • Provide all in-service instruction to all employees and new staff members base on OSHA and state regulations.
  • Maintain regulatory compliance with national and regulatory bodies such as JCAHO, CDC, OSHA, and FDA.
  • Track CPR renewals for medical staff.
  • Update and maintain TB and vaccination records for all employees and residents.
  • Perform annual TB skin test for employees and MDOC inmates in prison.
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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.
  • Show more

Infection control nurse vs nurse skills

Common infection control nurse skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Infection Prevention, 9%
  • Infection Control, 6%
  • Public Health, 6%
  • Infection Control Practices, 5%
  • Infection Control Policies, 4%
Common nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • BLS, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 4%

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