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Nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse

The differences between 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 nurse and a registered nurse charge nurse. Additionally, a registered nurse charge nurse has an average salary of $71,342, which is higher than the $57,564 average annual salary of a nurse.

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

Nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse overview

NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Yearly salary$57,564$71,342
Hourly rate$27.68$34.30
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs696,124645,134
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Associate Degree, 51%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

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.

What does a registered nurse charge nurse do?

A registered charge nurse is responsible for supervising nurses' workflow in a particular department or area, ensuring every patient gets the proper care that they need. A registered charge nurse has the discretion to direct tasks, arrange schedules, and monitor patients, such as in the aspects of admission and discharge. Furthermore, a registered charge nurse must maintain an active line of communication and coordination among nurses, physicians, and other personnel involved as the conditions in a hospital can be unpredictable.

Nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse salary

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

NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average salary$57,564$71,342
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $86,000Between $46,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Diego, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyConvivaAlameda Health System
Best paying industryGovernmentHealth Care

Differences between nurse and registered nurse charge nurse education

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

NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Associate Degree, 51%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse demographics

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

NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 14.0% Female, 86.0%Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 nurse and registered nurse charge nurse duties and responsibilities

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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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.
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Nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse skills

Common nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • BLS, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 4%
Common registered nurse charge nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 8%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Direct Patient Care, 4%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%

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