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Oncology nurse vs triage nurse

The differences between oncology nurses and triage 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 triage nurse. Additionally, an oncology nurse has an average salary of $72,372, which is higher than the $64,592 average annual salary of a triage nurse.

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

Oncology nurse vs triage nurse overview

Oncology NurseTriage Nurse
Yearly salary$72,372$64,592
Hourly rate$34.79$31.05
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs584,649345,410
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
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 triage nurse do?

A triage nurse provides patient care and overall nursing duties alongside the resident doctor in a clinic or hospital. It is the task of a triage nurse to oversee the condition of each patient and to report immediately to a doctor when emergencies occur. Added tasks of a triage nurse are monitoring and administering doctor prescriptions, and providing a caring environment for patients and their relatives through constant communication. The triage nurse is an essential part of a healthcare facility and is in-demand in many places around the world.

Oncology nurse vs triage nurse salary

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

Oncology NurseTriage Nurse
Average salary$72,372$64,592
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $127,000Between $43,000 And $95,000
Highest paying CityCarmichael, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyWashington Hospital Healthcare System-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between oncology nurse and triage nurse education

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

Oncology NurseTriage Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Oncology nurse vs triage nurse demographics

Here are the differences between oncology nurses' and triage nurses' demographics:

Oncology NurseTriage Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 8.9% Female, 91.1%Male, 9.1% Female, 90.9%
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, 11.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between oncology nurse and triage 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.
  • Show more

Triage nurse example responsibilities.

  • Recognize and manage maternal complications: hemorrhage, preeclampsia, endometritis.
  • Provide outpatient chemotherapy administration, patient education and telephone triage of patients undergoing cancer treatment.
  • Follow up on denials and appeals.
  • Experience in initiating prior authorizations, denials, and appeals.
  • Perform EKG's, labs, vision screening, hearing tests, pulmonary function tests.
  • Handle all heavy phone scheduling which include visits, blood work, diagnostic testing and cardiac rehabilitation.
  • Show more

Oncology nurse vs triage nurse skills

Common oncology nurse skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Chemotherapy, 7%
  • Medical Oncology, 5%
  • Patient Education, 4%
  • Hematology Oncology, 3%
  • Patient Outcomes, 3%
Common triage nurse skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Home Health, 10%
  • Patient Education, 4%
  • Test Results, 3%
  • Symptom Management, 3%
  • Urgent Care, 3%

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