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Practical nurse vs triage nurse

The differences between practical nurses and triage 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 triage nurse. Additionally, a practical nurse has an average salary of $75,363, which is higher than the $64,592 average annual salary of a triage nurse.

The top three skills for a practical nurse include patients, APN and home health. The most important skills for a triage nurse are patients, home health, and patient education.

Practical nurse vs triage nurse overview

Practical NurseTriage Nurse
Yearly salary$75,363$64,592
Hourly rate$36.23$31.05
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs511,602345,410
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
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 triage nurse do?

A triage nurse provides patient care and overall nursing duties alongside the resident doctor in a clinic or hospital. It is the task of a triage nurse to oversee the condition of each patient and to report immediately to a doctor when emergencies occur. Added tasks of a triage nurse are monitoring and administering doctor prescriptions, and providing a caring environment for patients and their relatives through constant communication. The triage nurse is an essential part of a healthcare facility and is in-demand in many places around the world.

Practical nurse vs triage nurse salary

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

Practical NurseTriage Nurse
Average salary$75,363$64,592
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $120,000Between $43,000 And $95,000
Highest paying CityLancaster, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyUniversity Hospitals-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between practical nurse and triage nurse education

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

Practical NurseTriage Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeEmory UniversityDuke University

Practical nurse vs triage nurse demographics

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

Practical NurseTriage Nurse
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 14.3% Female, 85.7%Male, 9.1% Female, 90.9%
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, 11.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between practical nurse and triage 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

Triage nurse example responsibilities.

  • Recognize and manage maternal complications: hemorrhage, preeclampsia, endometritis.
  • Provide outpatient chemotherapy administration, patient education and telephone triage of patients undergoing cancer treatment.
  • Follow up on denials and appeals.
  • Experience in initiating prior authorizations, denials, and appeals.
  • Perform EKG's, labs, vision screening, hearing tests, pulmonary function tests.
  • Handle all heavy phone scheduling which include visits, blood work, diagnostic testing and cardiac rehabilitation.
  • Show more

Practical nurse vs triage nurse skills

Common practical nurse skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • APN, 7%
  • Home Health, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Physical Examinations, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
Common triage nurse skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Home Health, 10%
  • Patient Education, 4%
  • Test Results, 3%
  • Symptom Management, 3%
  • Urgent Care, 3%

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