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Private duty nurse vs practical nurse

The differences between private duty nurses and practical 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 practical nurse. Additionally, a practical nurse has an average salary of $75,363, 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 practical nurse are patients, APN, and home health.

Private duty nurse vs practical nurse overview

Private Duty NursePractical Nurse
Yearly salary$55,518$75,363
Hourly rate$26.69$36.23
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs256,740511,602
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age4446
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 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.

Private duty nurse vs practical nurse salary

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

Private Duty NursePractical Nurse
Average salary$55,518$75,363
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $74,000Between $47,000 And $120,000
Highest paying CitySpringfield, MALancaster, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandCalifornia
Best paying companyHealth FirstUniversity Hospitals
Best paying industryGovernmentHealth Care

Differences between private duty nurse and practical nurse education

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

Private Duty NursePractical Nurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityEmory University

Private duty nurse vs practical nurse demographics

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

Private Duty NursePractical Nurse
Average age4446
Gender ratioMale, 9.6% Female, 90.4%Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7%
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, 12.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 6.3% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage9%7%

Differences between private duty nurse and practical 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

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

Private duty nurse vs practical 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 practical nurse skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • APN, 7%
  • Home Health, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Physical Examinations, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%

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