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Psychiatric nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse

The differences between psychiatric 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 psychiatric nurse and a registered nurse charge nurse. Additionally, a registered nurse charge nurse has an average salary of $71,342, which is higher than the $64,922 average annual salary of a psychiatric nurse.

The top three skills for a psychiatric nurse include patients, mental illness and CPR. The most important skills for a registered nurse charge nurse are patients, BLS, and CPR.

Psychiatric nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse overview

Psychiatric NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Yearly salary$64,922$71,342
Hourly rate$31.21$34.30
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs608,055645,134
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Associate Degree, 51%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

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.

What does a registered nurse charge nurse do?

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.

Psychiatric nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse salary

Psychiatric nurses and registered nurses charge nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Psychiatric NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average salary$64,922$71,342
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $99,000Between $46,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CASan Diego, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandHawaii
Best paying companyHighland General HospitalAlameda Health System
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between psychiatric nurse and registered nurse charge nurse education

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

Psychiatric NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Associate Degree, 51%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Psychiatric nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse demographics

Here are the differences between psychiatric nurses' and registered nurses charge nurses' demographics:

Psychiatric NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 18.1% Female, 81.9%Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between psychiatric nurse and registered nurse charge nurse duties and responsibilities

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.
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Registered nurse charge nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage intravenous therapy via peripheral and central catheters; antibiotic, TPN/lipid, constant cardiac medication infusion and fluid administration.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Assess and carefully monitor medically diverse patients who require telemetry and safely administer medications.
  • Collaborate with ICU team to provide excellent patient care utilizing critical thinking skills and evidence-base practice.
  • Document patient medical history and symptoms, administer treatment and medications, and follow-up with patients during rehabilitation.
  • Respond to codes, administering CPR and oxygen, monitoring vitals and preparing medications in anticipation of physician orders.
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Psychiatric nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse skills

Common psychiatric nurse skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Mental Illness, 11%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Therapeutic Interventions, 5%
  • Psychiatric Care, 4%
  • IV, 4%
Common registered nurse charge nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 8%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Direct Patient Care, 4%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%

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