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Oncology nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse

The differences between oncology 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 an oncology nurse and a registered nurse charge nurse. Additionally, an oncology nurse has an average salary of $72,372, which is higher than the $71,342 average annual salary of a registered nurse charge nurse.

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

Oncology nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse overview

Oncology NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Yearly salary$72,372$71,342
Hourly rate$34.79$34.30
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs584,649645,134
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Associate Degree, 51%
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 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.

Oncology nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse salary

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

Oncology NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average salary$72,372$71,342
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $127,000Between $46,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CityCarmichael, CASan Diego, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyWashington Hospital Healthcare SystemAlameda Health System
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between oncology nurse and registered nurse charge nurse education

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

Oncology NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Associate Degree, 51%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Oncology nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse demographics

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

Oncology NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 8.9% Female, 91.1%Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%
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, 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 oncology nurse and registered nurse charge 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 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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Oncology nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse skills

Common oncology nurse skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Chemotherapy, 7%
  • Medical Oncology, 5%
  • Patient Education, 4%
  • Hematology Oncology, 3%
  • Patient Outcomes, 3%
Common registered nurse charge nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 8%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Direct Patient Care, 4%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%

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