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Practical nurse vs clinic registered nurse

The differences between practical nurses and clinic registered 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 practical nurse and a clinic registered nurse. Additionally, a practical nurse has an average salary of $75,363, which is higher than the $70,075 average annual salary of a clinic registered nurse.

The top three skills for a practical nurse include patients, APN and home health. The most important skills for a clinic registered nurse are patients, BLS, and acute care.

Practical nurse vs clinic registered nurse overview

Practical NurseClinic Registered Nurse
Yearly salary$75,363$70,075
Hourly rate$36.23$33.69
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs511,602520,812
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4644
Years of experience22

What does a practical nurse do?

A practical nurse is responsible for providing the highest quality care services for the patients and assisting them with their needs and concerns. Practical nurses work within a health institution or private household to support the patients in their daily activities, monitor their conditions, administer medication, and inform the doctors of their health updates. They also coordinate with other medical professionals to develop nursing care plans and activities to suit the patients' lifestyle and keep their active wellbeing.

What does a clinic registered nurse do?

A clinic registered nurse is responsible for providing immediate care and treatments to patients while working alongside physicians and specialists. Assigned in a clinic or similar setting, they are mostly responsible for obtaining patient information and medical history, administering appropriate medication, and coordinating with health care experts. Moreover, they must thoroughly discuss necessary information to patients and their guardians and respond to any inquiries under the physician's guidelines. It is essential to make patients feel at ease and implement the policies of the clinic.

Practical nurse vs clinic registered nurse salary

Practical nurses and clinic registered nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Practical NurseClinic Registered Nurse
Average salary$75,363$70,075
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $120,000Between $43,000 And $113,000
Highest paying CityLancaster, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaRhode Island
Best paying companyUniversity HospitalsHighland General Hospital
Best paying industryHealth CareProfessional

Differences between practical nurse and clinic registered nurse education

There are a few differences between a practical nurse and a clinic registered nurse in terms of educational background:

Practical NurseClinic Registered Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeEmory UniversityDuke University

Practical nurse vs clinic registered nurse demographics

Here are the differences between practical nurses' and clinic registered nurses' demographics:

Practical NurseClinic Registered Nurse
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 14.3% Female, 85.7%Male, 10.2% Female, 89.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 6.3% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 9.0% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between practical nurse and clinic registered nurse duties and responsibilities

Practical nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage surgical recovery patients including vascular, ENT, GI urological and neurological cases, coronary bypass surgery patients.
  • Treat patients with dignity, respect, and compassion while maintaining there safety.
  • Maintain safety and quality standards of care while facilitating early discharge of mother and baby.
  • Maintain HIPPA and OSHA guidelines.
  • Receive and implementing Dr orders.
  • Train in lactation and NRP certify.
  • Show more

Clinic registered nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Perform both admissions and discharge of patients within the CICU as well as transferring patients to ICU or other units.
  • Perform nursing functions in critical care units including ER, MICU, CCU, SICU in various hospitals and medical centers.
  • Provide patient education that includes information about diagnosis, plan surgical procedures, post-surgical care, and physical rehabilitation procedures.
  • Provide involved detail clinical evaluations of patients within the acute rehabilitation center along with needs for transition of care after discharge.
  • Provide prenatal care education to ob triage patients to aide in fetal well-being.
  • Show more

Practical nurse vs clinic registered nurse skills

Common practical nurse skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • APN, 7%
  • Home Health, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Physical Examinations, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
Common clinic registered nurse skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • BLS, 11%
  • Acute Care, 6%
  • Home Health, 5%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Quality Care, 3%

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