Perfusionist vs critical care nurse

The differences between perfusionists and critical care nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a perfusionist has an average salary of $118,459, which is higher than the $76,788 average annual salary of a critical care nurse.

The top three skills for a perfusionist include patients, patient care and heart-lung machine. The most important skills for a critical care nurse are patients, BLS, and acls.

Perfusionist vs critical care nurse overview

	Perfusionist	Critical Care Nurse
Yearly salary	$118,459	$76,788
Hourly rate	$56.95	$36.92
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	22,339	594,859
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	43	44
Years of experience	-	-

What does a perfusionist do?

A perfusionist is a healthcare expert who specializes in operating machinery that helps patients maintain blood flow during cardiac surgeries. As a member of a cardiothoracic surgical team, their duties also include monitoring the patient's vital signs, preparing cardiopulmonary bypass machines, meeting with team members before the surgery to identify the patient's needs, and developing strategies with the surgeons. Moreover, as a perfusionist, it is vital to maintain an active communication line with team members to ensure the surgery's success and the patients' safety.

What does a critical care nurse do?

A critical care nurse is responsible for providing quality care for patients confined in the intensive care unit of a health care facility. Critical care nurses maintain an organized medical chart to report the patient's condition to an attending physician and other medical professionals. They also administer medication, regularly check the patient's vital signs, and assist the doctors in conducting medical procedures and laboratory examinations. A critical care nurse also suggests care plans for the patients, especially during discharge, to ensure total recovery.

Perfusionist vs critical care nurse salary

Perfusionists and critical care nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Perfusionist	Critical Care Nurse
Average salary	$118,459	$76,788
Salary range	Between $67,000 And $209,000	Between $45,000 And $130,000
Highest paying City	Rochester, MN	Palo Alto, CA
Highest paying state	Minnesota	California
Best paying company	Essentia Health	Dignity Health
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between perfusionist and critical care nurse education

There are a few differences between a perfusionist and a critical care nurse in terms of educational background:

	Perfusionist	Critical Care Nurse
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Nursing
Most common college	University of Connecticut	Duke University

Perfusionist vs critical care nurse demographics

Here are the differences between perfusionists' and critical care nurses' demographics:

	Perfusionist	Critical Care Nurse
Average age	43	44
Gender ratio	Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8%	Male, 18.9% Female, 81.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 10.5% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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 Percentage	10%	9%

Differences between perfusionist and critical care nurse duties and responsibilities

Perfusionist example responsibilities.

Manage floor, ICU and rehab in-patients as well as respond to ER and hospital consultation.
Manage patients who suffer respiratory/cardiac arrest per ACLS protocol.
Operate centrifugal ventricular assist devices, intra-aortic balloon pump, and cell saver devices.
Assist surgical team by passing instruments sutures, sponges, holding retractors and suctioning patient.
Monitor and assist during general, gyn, plastic, ortho, and peds cases.
Monitor pet's pulse and oxygen rates during surgical procedures for their safety and post surgery supportive care.

Critical care nurse example responsibilities.

Interpret laboratory results, EKG readings, cardiac monitors, managing medication drips, and ventilator settings.
Monitor chemotherapy and administration of oral chemo medication, obtain laboratory specimens to manage client status via central lines.
Work on the general units of rehabilitation, geriatrics, and telemetry.
Work in critical care floors ranging from MICU to SICU to regular ICU.
Perform emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS, and other condition stabilizing interventions.
Care for patients with a wide variety of critical illnesses and are CCRN certify for many years.

Perfusionist vs critical care nurse skills

Common perfusionist skills

Patients, 32%
Patient Care, 12%
Heart-Lung Machine, 8%
ECMO, 8%
Life Support, 4%
Blood Products, 4%

Common critical care nurse skills

Patients, 31%
BLS, 11%
Acls, 8%
Life Support, 5%
Quality Care, 3%
Compassion, 3%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Perfusionist
Perfusionist vs Critical Care Nurse

Updated January 8, 2025

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