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The differences between practical 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 practical nurse and a registered nurse charge nurse. Additionally, a practical nurse has an average salary of $75,363, which is higher than the $71,342 average annual salary of a registered nurse charge nurse.
The top three skills for a practical nurse include patients, APN and home health. The most important skills for a registered nurse charge nurse are patients, BLS, and CPR.
| Practical Nurse | Registered Nurse Charge Nurse | |
| Yearly salary | $75,363 | $71,342 |
| Hourly rate | $36.23 | $34.30 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 511,602 | 645,134 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Associate Degree, 51% |
| 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 registered charge nurse is responsible for supervising nurses' workflow in a particular department or area, ensuring every patient gets the proper care that they need. A registered charge nurse has the discretion to direct tasks, arrange schedules, and monitor patients, such as in the aspects of admission and discharge. Furthermore, a registered charge nurse must maintain an active line of communication and coordination among nurses, physicians, and other personnel involved as the conditions in a hospital can be unpredictable.
Practical nurses and registered nurses charge nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Practical Nurse | Registered Nurse Charge Nurse | |
| Average salary | $75,363 | $71,342 |
| Salary range | Between $47,000 And $120,000 | Between $46,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lancaster, CA | San Diego, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | University Hospitals | Alameda Health System |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a practical nurse and a registered nurse charge nurse in terms of educational background:
| Practical Nurse | Registered Nurse Charge Nurse | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Associate Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Nursing |
| Most common college | Emory University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between practical nurses' and registered nurses charge nurses' demographics:
| Practical Nurse | Registered Nurse Charge Nurse | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7% | Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9% |
| 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, 9.2% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 9% |