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Practical nurse vs psychiatric nurse

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 vs psychiatric nurse overview

Practical NursePsychiatric Nurse
Yearly salary$75,363$64,922
Hourly rate$36.23$31.21
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs511,602608,055
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
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 psychiatric nurse do?

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 nurse vs psychiatric nurse salary

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

Practical NursePsychiatric Nurse
Average salary$75,363$64,922
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $120,000Between $42,000 And $99,000
Highest paying CityLancaster, CASanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaRhode Island
Best paying companyUniversity HospitalsHighland General Hospital
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between practical nurse and psychiatric nurse education

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

Practical NursePsychiatric Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeEmory UniversityDuke University

Practical nurse vs psychiatric nurse demographics

Here are the differences between practical nurses' and psychiatric nurses' demographics:

Practical NursePsychiatric Nurse
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 14.3% Female, 85.7%Male, 18.1% Female, 81.9%
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, 11.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between practical nurse and psychiatric 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

Psychiatric nurse example responsibilities.

  • Organize and manage regular clinics involving external physicians, including ophthalmology, ENT, Med/Surg, orthopedics, and podiatry professionals.
  • Staff register nurse, acute medical rehabilitation unit.
  • Perform emergency triage differentiating psychiatric versus medical conditions.
  • Perform triage assessment, psychiatric evaluations, medication administration, psychotherapy and case management.
  • Provide comprehensive medical-psychiatric care to patients via assessment, planning, evaluation and supervision of therapeutic interactions.
  • Provide therapeutic communication and psychiatric rehabilitation with residents to assist with their recovery to return to the community.
  • Show more

Practical nurse vs psychiatric nurse skills

Common practical nurse skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • APN, 7%
  • Home Health, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Physical Examinations, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
Common psychiatric nurse skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Mental Illness, 11%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Therapeutic Interventions, 5%
  • Psychiatric Care, 4%
  • IV, 4%

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