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Nursing attendant vs nurse technician

The differences between nursing attendants and nurse technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-3 months to become both a nursing attendant and a nurse technician. Additionally, a nurse technician has an average salary of $33,005, which is higher than the $30,630 average annual salary of a nursing attendant.

The top three skills for a nursing attendant include patients, vital signs and blood pressure. The most important skills for a nurse technician are patients, CPR, and vital signs.

Nursing attendant vs nurse technician overview

Nursing AttendantNurse Technician
Yearly salary$30,630$33,005
Hourly rate$14.73$15.87
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs192,622195,553
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age4242
Years of experience33

What does a nursing attendant do?

Also called a nursing aide, a nursing attendant provides fundamental patient care in residents and hospitals of long-term care facilities. Nursing attendants are supervised by registered nurses and follow physician or registered nurses' care instructions. The attendants monitor important signs and dispense medication, which depends on the experience level and the environment. They should have a good foundation of clinical knowledge and skills. Among the other skills for this job include attention to detail, good teamwork, work schedules and duties flexibility, and great verbal and written communication.

What does a nurse technician do?

Nurse technicians, also known as nursing aides, assistants, or attendants, usually work in clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. Primarily, they help a registered nurse by providing essential mobility, care, and support to patients. Everyday routine duties include maintaining patients' hygiene and moving them using wheelchairs or stretchers around the facility for their meals, treatment, events, and other activities. They do tasks that help improve a patient's comfort level and become their caregivers in the long run. This job requires a high school diploma along with the completed certified nursing assistant (CNA) program.

Nursing attendant vs nurse technician salary

Nursing attendants and nurse technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Nursing AttendantNurse Technician
Average salary$30,630$33,005
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $47,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Oregon
Best paying company-Carondelet High School
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between nursing attendant and nurse technician education

There are a few differences between a nursing attendant and a nurse technician in terms of educational background:

Nursing AttendantNurse Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common college--

Nursing attendant vs nurse technician demographics

Here are the differences between nursing attendants' and nurse technicians' demographics:

Nursing AttendantNurse Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 24.8% Female, 75.2%Male, 16.9% Female, 83.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 6.9% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 8.0% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between nursing attendant and nurse technician duties and responsibilities

Nursing attendant example responsibilities.

  • Insert straight catheters and manage Foley catheters.
  • Maintain guidelines of OSHA and HIPPA standard requirements.
  • Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation in emergency situations.
  • Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation in emergency situations.

Nurse technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage memory unity within facility.
  • Deliver timely and quality patient care on rehabilitation unit under direct supervision of staff nurses.
  • Assist patients with ADL's: bathing, transferring, ambulating, changing bed linens, skin care, etc.
  • Assist and serve patients with activities of daily living (ADL) in a manner conductive to their safety and comfort.
  • Assist new surgical patients with appropriate equipment to meet rehabilitation needs, and offer mental encouragement for a more positive recovery.
  • Pick up patient for surgery.
  • Show more

Nursing attendant vs nurse technician skills

Common nursing attendant skills
  • Patients, 32%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • Blood Pressure, 7%
  • BLS, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • ADL, 5%
Common nurse technician skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • Rehabilitation, 5%
  • Home Health, 5%
  • Direct Patient Care, 5%

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