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Private duty nurse vs nurse

The differences between private duty nurses and 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 private duty nurse and a nurse. Additionally, a nurse has an average salary of $57,564, which is higher than the $55,518 average annual salary of a private duty nurse.

The top three skills for a private duty nurse include home health, patients and medication administration. The most important skills for a nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.

Private duty nurse vs nurse overview

Private Duty NurseNurse
Yearly salary$55,518$57,564
Hourly rate$26.69$27.68
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs256,740696,124
Job satisfaction54
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a private duty nurse do?

A private duty nurse is responsible for providing quality health care services for a specific patient's medical needs. Private duty nurses work within a large health care institution or in a private household setting, depending on their scope and availability. They assist the medical staff in administering medications for the patients, conducting medical procedures, evaluating the patients' condition, and reporting progress and any updates to the attending physician for immediate attention. A private duty nurse must be highly attentive, especially on supporting the patient's daily activities and self-care needs.

What does a nurse do?

Nurses are medical professionals assigned to a specific department in the hospital and provide their trusted department services. Nurses are in charge of taking patients' medical histories, getting vital signs, preparing patients for checkups or procedures, explaining upcoming practices, answering any questions, and communicating any concerns to the assigned doctor. Nurses should ensure that patients follow the medical advice given to them. They also assist patients in completing administrative requirements, such as filling out forms, validating details, and endorsing payments.

Private duty nurse vs nurse salary

Private duty nurses and nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Private Duty NurseNurse
Average salary$55,518$57,564
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $74,000Between $38,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CitySpringfield, MASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandCalifornia
Best paying companyHealth FirstConviva
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between private duty nurse and nurse education

There are a few differences between a private duty nurse and a nurse in terms of educational background:

Private Duty NurseNurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Private duty nurse vs nurse demographics

Here are the differences between private duty nurses' and nurses' demographics:

Private Duty NurseNurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 9.6% Female, 90.4%Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between private duty nurse and nurse duties and responsibilities

Private duty nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage Ventriculostomies and interpret ICP and CVP readings.
  • Manage patient care monitoring vital signs, performing physical assessment, checking patients medications for effectiveness.
  • Communicate with medicaid, and insurance companies to ensure patients receive appropriate care and payment of procedures and medication.
  • Provide daily assessments, ADL's medication management and any necessary medical treatments.
  • Monitor ventilator and oxygen saturation regularly; offer medication, treatments, and tracheostomy care.
  • Provide care to home bound individuals with tracheostomy, ventilator assistance patients, administration of medications, referrals
  • Show more

Nurse example responsibilities.

  • Monitor patients' status during surgery (circulate in operating room) and manage patients in PACU.
  • Manage high-acuity cardiac/pulmonary and psychiatric patients
  • Monitor patients for cardiac rhythm changes and implement medication according to ACLS guidelines.
  • Educate patients and families on diseases processes, medications, wind care, and iv infusion.
  • Provide care for patients on medical/surgical, transplant, cardiac, orthopedic, postpartum, neonatal ICU, and psychiatric units
  • Demonstrate competence in CPR and other medical emergency situations.
  • Show more

Private duty nurse vs nurse skills

Common private duty nurse skills
  • Home Health, 34%
  • Patients, 31%
  • Medication Administration, 3%
  • Hospice Care, 3%
  • Vital Signs, 3%
  • Trach Care, 3%
Common nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • BLS, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 4%

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