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Perfusionist vs nurse practitioner

The differences between perfusionists and nurse practitioners 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 $100,033 average annual salary of a nurse practitioner.

The top three skills for a perfusionist include patients, patient care and heart-lung machine. The most important skills for a nurse practitioner are patients, diagnosis, and home health.

Perfusionist vs nurse practitioner overview

PerfusionistNurse Practitioner
Yearly salary$118,459$100,033
Hourly rate$56.95$48.09
Growth rate6%40%
Number of jobs22,33927,912
Job satisfaction-2.67
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Master's Degree, 47%
Average age4343
Years of experience-2

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 nurse practitioner do?

A nurse practitioner's role is diverse. It revolves around supervising nurses in a particular area and providing immediate care and treatment to patients through extensive knowledge and clinical experience. Among the duties of a nurse practitioner involves diagnosing and treating medical conditions, performing research and analysis through various tests, evaluating data and results, operating different kinds of medical equipment, and gathering samples from patients. Furthermore, a nurse practitioner must maintain an active line of communication and coordination among fellow health workers in a hospital or clinic.

Perfusionist vs nurse practitioner salary

Perfusionists and nurse practitioners have different pay scales, as shown below.

PerfusionistNurse Practitioner
Average salary$118,459$100,033
Salary rangeBetween $67,000 And $209,000Between $62,000 And $161,000
Highest paying CityRochester, MNRichmond, CA
Highest paying stateMinnesotaCalifornia
Best paying companyEssentia HealthPace University
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between perfusionist and nurse practitioner education

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

PerfusionistNurse Practitioner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Master's Degree, 47%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of ConnecticutDuke University

Perfusionist vs nurse practitioner demographics

Here are the differences between perfusionists' and nurse practitioners' demographics:

PerfusionistNurse Practitioner
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 61.2% Female, 38.8%Male, 13.1% Female, 86.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 4.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 77.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%12%

Differences between perfusionist and nurse practitioner 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.
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Nurse practitioner example responsibilities.

  • Manage care of chronic pediatric patients in PICU.
  • Assess, diagnose and medically manage patients with various GI diseases and dysfunctions
  • Manage medical illnesses including diabetes, hypertension, thyroid conditions and asthma and other medical conditions.
  • Manage pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of diabetes and provide prescriptions and education before discharge from the hospital.
  • Manage appropriate changes to individualize care plan to ensure cost and time efficacy in an outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation office.
  • Document correctly the patients' information in electronic health record and observe HIPAA.
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Perfusionist vs nurse practitioner skills

Common perfusionist skills
  • Patients, 32%
  • Patient Care, 12%
  • Heart-Lung Machine, 8%
  • ECMO, 8%
  • Life Support, 4%
  • Blood Products, 4%
Common nurse practitioner skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Diagnosis, 7%
  • Home Health, 5%
  • Diagnostic Tests, 5%
  • Acute Care, 3%
  • EMR, 3%

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