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Post-anesthesia care unit nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse

The differences between post-anesthesia care unit 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 a post-anesthesia care unit nurse and a registered nurse charge nurse. Additionally, a post-anesthesia care unit nurse has an average salary of $81,716, which is higher than the $71,342 average annual salary of a registered nurse charge nurse.

The top three skills for a post-anesthesia care unit nurse include patients, BLS and PACU. The most important skills for a registered nurse charge nurse are patients, BLS, and CPR.

Post-anesthesia care unit nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse overview

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Yearly salary$81,716$71,342
Hourly rate$39.29$34.30
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs417,150645,134
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Associate Degree, 51%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Post-anesthesia care unit nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse salary

Post-anesthesia care unit nurses and registered nurses charge nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average salary$81,716$71,342
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $131,000Between $46,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASan Diego, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsHawaii
Best paying companyDignity HealthAlameda Health System
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between post-anesthesia care unit nurse and registered nurse charge nurse education

There are a few differences between a post-anesthesia care unit nurse and a registered nurse charge nurse in terms of educational background:

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Associate Degree, 51%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Post-anesthesia care unit nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse demographics

Here are the differences between post-anesthesia care unit nurses' and registered nurses charge nurses' demographics:

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 15.7% Female, 84.3%Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.9% White, 66.0% 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 post-anesthesia care unit nurse and registered nurse charge nurse duties and responsibilities

Post-anesthesia care unit nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patients' pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions and monitoring patients' responses.
  • Do preop teaching, draw labs and perform EKG's prior to surgery.
  • Maintain and care for arterial/venous sheaths sites, as well as medication titration pre and post op.
  • Provide leadership in improving and sustaining the quality and effectiveness of the care provide by PACU nursing and ancillary staff.
  • Assess post-operative surgical patients for anesthesia complications
  • Monitor for hemorrhagic changes and lingering affects of anesthesia.
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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.
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Post-anesthesia care unit nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse skills

Common post-anesthesia care unit nurse skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • BLS, 16%
  • PACU, 16%
  • Acls, 12%
  • Anesthesia Care, 9%
  • Acute Care, 6%
Common registered nurse charge nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 8%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Direct Patient Care, 4%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%

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