Physical therapy nurse vs field nurse

The differences between physical therapy nurses and field nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a physical therapy nurse and a field nurse. Additionally, a field nurse has an average salary of $78,753, which is higher than the $71,820 average annual salary of a physical therapy nurse.

The top three skills for a physical therapy nurse include patients, BLS and acls. The most important skills for a field nurse are patients, home health, and wound care.

Physical therapy nurse vs field nurse overview

	Physical Therapy Nurse	Field Nurse
Yearly salary	$71,820	$78,753
Hourly rate	$34.53	$37.86
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	600,747	678,050
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Associate Degree, 42%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

Physical therapy nurse vs field nurse salary

Physical therapy nurses and field nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Physical Therapy Nurse	Field Nurse
Average salary	$71,820	$78,753
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $112,000	Between $52,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between physical therapy nurse and field nurse education

There are a few differences between a physical therapy nurse and a field nurse in terms of educational background:

	Physical Therapy Nurse	Field Nurse
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Associate Degree, 42%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Physical therapy nurse vs field nurse demographics

Here are the differences between physical therapy nurses' and field nurses' demographics:

	Physical Therapy Nurse	Field Nurse
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 10.5% Female, 89.5%	Male, 9.4% Female, 90.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 9.0% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between physical therapy nurse and field nurse duties and responsibilities

Physical therapy nurse example responsibilities.

Manage fistulas and other draining wounds using creative intervention referring patients to appropriate community agencies.
Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
Focus on traumatic brain injury, stroke rehabilitation.
Initiate the program for nurse assessment and placement of PICC lines for all inpatients.
Include pain management, chemotherapy administration, blood administration, routine peripheral and central access care, and night pharmacy backup.
Supervise and administer chemotherapy and blood products.

Field nurse example responsibilities.

Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
Screen prospective clients for need immunizations, implementing after evaluating patients' medical history and obtaining sign release.
Promote health literacy by educating patients and caregivers on disease management, diagnosis, medical interventions, and pharmaceuticals.
Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
Prepare and give injections and enemas, monitor catheters, apply dressings, treat bedsores and give alcohol rubs and massages.
Document patient care in a manner that complies with JCAHO standards.

Physical therapy nurse vs field nurse skills

Common physical therapy nurse skills

Patients, 39%
BLS, 16%
Acls, 4%
IV Therapy, 4%
Direct Patient Care, 4%
Patient Education, 4%

Common field nurse skills

Patients, 34%
Home Health, 14%
Wound Care, 7%
Palliative Care, 6%
IV, 4%
Disease Process, 3%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Physical Therapy Nurse
Physical Therapy Nurse vs Field Nurse

Updated January 8, 2025

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