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Paramedic vs emergency department registered nurse

The differences between paramedics and emergency department registered nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an emergency department registered nurse has an average salary of $81,260, which is higher than the $44,640 average annual salary of a paramedic.

The top three skills for a paramedic include patients, acls and CPR. The most important skills for an emergency department registered nurse are patients, acls, and acute care.

Paramedic vs emergency department registered nurse overview

ParamedicEmergency Department Registered Nurse
Yearly salary$44,640$81,260
Hourly rate$21.46$39.07
Growth rate7%6%
Number of jobs27,896661,518
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age3644
Years of experience-2

What does a paramedic do?

A paramedic is a healthcare professional who provides advanced medical care and emergency treatment to patients in the field. Although they can work on ambulances or hospital emergency rooms, paramedics may work as part of a helicopter's flight crew to transport critically ill patients to a specialized hospital. Paramedics are required to create a patient care report and document the medical care of patients they are treating. Also, paramedics need to follow the guidelines they learned in training from their physician who supervises their work.

What does an emergency department registered nurse do?

An emergency registered nurse is first in line for patients who need a response. These nurses are first to respond to emergency cases such as trauma, allergic reactions, and injuries. They assist doctors and other medical staff in emergency medical care. It is their responsibility to always provide high-quality standards for nursing. The skills they should possess include diligence, attention to detail, levelheadedness, and strong communication. They also need to be knowledgeable about emergency care.

Paramedic vs emergency department registered nurse salary

Paramedics and emergency department registered nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

ParamedicEmergency Department Registered Nurse
Average salary$44,640$81,260
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $59,000Between $48,000 And $135,000
Highest paying CityArlington, MALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsHawaii
Best paying companyMission Regional Medical CenterWhidbey General Hospital
Best paying industryGovernmentHealth Care

Differences between paramedic and emergency department registered nurse education

There are a few differences between a paramedic and an emergency department registered nurse in terms of educational background:

ParamedicEmergency Department Registered Nurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianNursing
Most common college-Duke University

Paramedic vs emergency department registered nurse demographics

Here are the differences between paramedics' and emergency department registered nurses' demographics:

ParamedicEmergency Department Registered Nurse
Average age3644
Gender ratioMale, 68.4% Female, 31.6%Male, 19.1% Female, 80.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.5% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between paramedic and emergency department registered nurse duties and responsibilities

Paramedic example responsibilities.

  • Manage critically ill/injure patients effectively with rapid assessments, aggressive resuscitation, packaging and transport to appropriate definitive care emergency departments.
  • Attend safety training seminars yearly as well as Haz-Mat safety, SCBA training and OSHA regulation training.
  • Perform Phlebotomy and specimen collection duties.
  • Administer emergency medical treatment to patients including CPR, medications/drugs.
  • Provide inter-facility transport to patients who require EKG monitoring, medication infusion and/or ventilator support during transport.
  • Provide medical care for critically ill or injure patients during inter-facility transports to higher level of care facilities.
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Emergency department registered nurse example responsibilities.

  • Monitor and manage chest tubes and various drainage devices along with pacer wires, epidural lines, and PCA pumps.
  • Stabilize critical patients through the use of BLS and ACLS protocols.
  • Assess patients and prioritize care: stabilize multiple critical patients using ACLS and BLS protocols.
  • Provide direct patient care including triage evaluation and treatment of patients presenting for care for medical/trauma/psychiatric care.
  • Perform triage, assessments, complete MD orders assist in treatment and admit or discharge patients requiring/receiving emergency care
  • Provide comprehensive care to patients that addressed the physical, social, spiritual and mental aspects of care and rehabilitation.
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Paramedic vs emergency department registered nurse skills

Common paramedic skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Acls, 7%
  • CPR, 7%
  • EMS, 6%
  • BLS, 5%
  • EMT, 5%
Common emergency department registered nurse skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Acls, 9%
  • Acute Care, 6%
  • Life Support, 4%
  • Patient Outcomes, 4%
  • Advanced Life Support, 3%

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