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Operating room nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse

The differences between operating room 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 operating room nurse and a registered nurse charge nurse. Additionally, a registered nurse charge nurse has an average salary of $71,342, which is higher than the $68,255 average annual salary of an operating room nurse.

The top three skills for an operating room nurse include patients, BLS and acls. The most important skills for a registered nurse charge nurse are patients, BLS, and CPR.

Operating room nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse overview

Operating Room NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Yearly salary$68,255$71,342
Hourly rate$32.81$34.30
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs545,487645,134
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Associate Degree, 51%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does an operating room nurse do?

An Operating Room Nurse assists surgeons during operations and keeps the operating room sterile at all times. They ensure that patients are ready for transport to the recovery room.

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.

Operating room nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse salary

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

Operating Room NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average salary$68,255$71,342
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $108,000Between $46,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CityUrban Honolulu, HISan Diego, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiHawaii
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyAlameda Health System
Best paying industryProfessionalHealth Care

Differences between operating room nurse and registered nurse charge nurse education

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

Operating Room NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Associate Degree, 51%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Operating room nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse demographics

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

Operating Room NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 14.8% Female, 85.2%Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% 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 operating room nurse and registered nurse charge nurse duties and responsibilities

Operating room nurse example responsibilities.

  • Post op surgery assist recovery nurse with obtaining vitals signs and attaching EKG leads and oxygen.
  • Achieve departmental goals and objectives by instituting SGNA standards and processes for inpatient and outpatient care.
  • Organize and manage regular clinics involving external physicians, including ophthalmology, ENT, Med/Surg, orthopedics, and podiatry professionals.
  • General surgery, ortho, GU, GI and ENT and dentals.
  • Complete BLS and ACLS certification.
  • Specialize in GYN, urology and orthopedics.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Operating room nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse skills

Common operating room nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • BLS, 13%
  • Acls, 7%
  • Surgical Procedures, 4%
  • PACU, 3%
  • Pre-op, 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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