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Oncology nurse vs registered health nurse

The differences between oncology nurses and registered health 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 oncology nurse and a registered health nurse. Additionally, a registered health nurse has an average salary of $75,713, which is higher than the $72,372 average annual salary of an oncology nurse.

The top three skills for an oncology nurse include patients, chemotherapy and medical oncology. The most important skills for a registered health nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.

Oncology nurse vs registered health nurse overview

Oncology NurseRegistered Health Nurse
Yearly salary$72,372$75,713
Hourly rate$34.79$36.40
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs584,649538,508
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does an oncology nurse do?

Oncology Nurses work with medical practitioners to take care of cancer patients in various settings (hospitals, clinics, etc.). The job requires compassion and personal fortitude to deal with their patients' suffering from such a profound illness. They are required to have an associate's degree in nursing and an RN license. Oncology Nurses provide professional care and coordinate the delivery of oncology treatments. They also take care of patients assigned to them in a medical oncology facility and ensure that hospital or department and University policies are followed.

What does a registered health nurse do?

Registered health nurses work in collaboration with other health care professionals. They provide direct patient care, assess and record symptoms, progress, and reactions, all of which provides the source for care planning and intervention. They also manage nursing care plans, instruct patients and their families in the right care, and aid individuals and groups to improve or maintain their good health. It also requires a large base of knowledge and experience in order to assess, plan, and give intervention to promote health, avoid disease, and help patients cope with ailments.

Oncology nurse vs registered health nurse salary

Oncology nurses and registered health nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Oncology NurseRegistered Health Nurse
Average salary$72,372$75,713
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $127,000Between $50,000 And $112,000
Highest paying CityCarmichael, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaRhode Island
Best paying companyWashington Hospital Healthcare SystemBaptist Health Care
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between oncology nurse and registered health nurse education

There are a few differences between an oncology nurse and a registered health nurse in terms of educational background:

Oncology NurseRegistered Health Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Oncology nurse vs registered health nurse demographics

Here are the differences between oncology nurses' and registered health nurses' demographics:

Oncology NurseRegistered Health Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 8.9% Female, 91.1%Male, 11.1% Female, 88.9%
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, 10.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between oncology nurse and registered health nurse duties and responsibilities

Oncology nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Gain significant experience in diverse areas of nursing process for oncology and transplant patients; administer chemotherapy and blood products.
  • Initiate CPR on nonresponsive patients.
  • Provide intravenous therapy in a home bound setting to include simple chemo therapy and PICC care along with other VADS.
  • Provide professional nursing care for patients as it relates to provider orders and chemotherapy administration and education.
  • Provide care to rehabilitation patients on rehab unit assist in activities of daily living, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
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Registered health nurse example responsibilities.

  • Operate specialize equipment such as cardiac monitor, EKG, DEA, managing nasal pharyngeal and gastric suction.
  • Manage ventilator settings and complete tracheostomy care on chronically ill patients.
  • Manage patient care monitoring vital signs, performing physical assessment, checking patients medications for effectiveness.
  • Participate in manage care activities to produce health change, specifically providing diabetes education and lifestyle counseling in chronic disease areas.
  • Deliver a complete range of care to general Medicare, Medicaid home care patient's.
  • Obtain knowledge of medical diagnostic and billing codes used for private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements.
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Oncology nurse vs registered health nurse skills

Common oncology nurse skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Chemotherapy, 7%
  • Medical Oncology, 5%
  • Patient Education, 4%
  • Hematology Oncology, 3%
  • Patient Outcomes, 3%
Common registered health nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Home Health, 23%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Quality Care, 4%
  • Mental Health, 3%
  • Compassion, 3%

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