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The differences between practical nurses and psychiatric 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 psychiatric nurse. Additionally, a practical nurse has an average salary of $75,363, which is higher than the $64,922 average annual salary of a psychiatric nurse.
The top three skills for a practical nurse include patients, APN and home health. The most important skills for a psychiatric nurse are patients, mental illness, and CPR.
| Practical Nurse | Psychiatric Nurse | |
| Yearly salary | $75,363 | $64,922 |
| Hourly rate | $36.23 | $31.21 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 511,602 | 608,055 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A Psychiatric Nurses role is to supervise the medication and treatment of patients diagnosed with mental disabilities, illnesses, or distresses. They have an essential role in the administration of psychiatric treatment and care.
Practical nurses and psychiatric nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Practical Nurse | Psychiatric Nurse | |
| Average salary | $75,363 | $64,922 |
| Salary range | Between $47,000 And $120,000 | Between $42,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lancaster, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | University Hospitals | Highland General Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a practical nurse and a psychiatric nurse in terms of educational background:
| Practical Nurse | Psychiatric Nurse | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Nursing |
| Most common college | Emory University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between practical nurses' and psychiatric nurses' demographics:
| Practical Nurse | Psychiatric Nurse | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7% | Male, 18.1% Female, 81.9% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 11.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 9% |