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Nurse manager vs registered nurse unit manager

The differences between nurse managers and registered nurse unit managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a nurse manager, becoming a registered nurse unit manager takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a nurse manager has an average salary of $83,684, which is higher than the $75,427 average annual salary of a registered nurse unit manager.

The top three skills for a nurse manager include patients, home health and CPR. The most important skills for a registered nurse unit manager are home health, patients, and rehabilitation.

Nurse manager vs registered nurse unit manager overview

Nurse ManagerRegistered Nurse Unit Manager
Yearly salary$83,684$75,427
Hourly rate$40.23$36.26
Growth rate28%6%
Number of jobs380,264491,638
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Associate Degree, 62%
Average age4744
Years of experience62

What does a nurse manager do?

The primary role of nurse managers is to supervise the nursing staff in a clinical or hospital setting. They are the ones who are in charge of patient care, setting work schedules, and making budgetary and management decisions. They are also responsible for making personnel decisions, coordinating meetings, and creating safe environments that promote patient engagement and aid the healthcare team's work. Their role is vital in promoting a culture in which team members contribute to professional growth and patient outcomes.

What does a registered nurse unit manager do?

A Registered Nurse Unit Manager supervises the care of people who need hospice or long-term care. Another duty is to review clinical records for completeness and accuracy, as necessary.

Nurse manager vs registered nurse unit manager salary

Nurse managers and registered nurse unit managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Nurse ManagerRegistered Nurse Unit Manager
Average salary$83,684$75,427
Salary rangeBetween $60,000 And $115,000Between $54,000 And $105,000
Highest paying CityLas Vegas, NVOakland, CA
Highest paying stateNevadaCalifornia
Best paying companyBDThe Citadel
Best paying industryHealth CareNon Profits

Differences between nurse manager and registered nurse unit manager education

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

Nurse ManagerRegistered Nurse Unit Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Associate Degree, 62%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborDuke University

Nurse manager vs registered nurse unit manager demographics

Here are the differences between nurse managers' and registered nurse unit managers' demographics:

Nurse ManagerRegistered Nurse Unit Manager
Average age4744
Gender ratioMale, 13.5% Female, 86.5%Male, 8.9% Female, 91.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 7.6% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage12%9%

Differences between nurse manager and registered nurse unit manager duties and responsibilities

Nurse manager example responsibilities.

  • Case manage workers compensation cases, administer drug testing, surveillance testing, minor 1st aid and CPR instruction.
  • Assess and manage various allergic and life threatening reactions of chemotherapy medications.
  • Manage staff of medical personnel providing care for telemetry, geriatric and general medicine patients.
  • Involve in utilization review and chart audits for all appropriate documentation for medicaid, Medicare and manage care organizations.
  • Manage surgical recovery patients including vascular, ENT, GI urological and neurological cases, coronary bypass surgery patients.
  • Maintain current ACLS and BLS certifications.
  • Show more

Registered nurse unit manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Obtain weekly wind care measurements and assessments with completion of wind care flow sheets and given to MDS assessor.
  • Provide and coordinate direct patient care on a skil nursing rehabilitation unit.
  • Ensure HIPAA compliance by monitoring and educating staff as needed.
  • Assure that unit practices are consistent with professional nursing standards, regulatory and HIPAA requirements.
  • Monitor resident s consumption levels (monthly and weekly weights) and report significant weight loss to the MDS coordinator.
  • Show more

Nurse manager vs registered nurse unit manager skills

Common nurse manager skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Home Health, 8%
  • CPR, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Performance Improvement, 3%
  • Surgery, 3%
Common registered nurse unit manager skills
  • Home Health, 20%
  • Patients, 19%
  • Rehabilitation, 13%
  • Term Care, 9%
  • Care Management, 5%
  • Compassion, 5%

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