Post job

Public health nurse vs field nurse

The differences between public health nurses and field 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 public health nurse and a field nurse. Additionally, a field nurse has an average salary of $78,753, which is higher than the $60,319 average annual salary of a public health nurse.

The top three skills for a public health nurse include community health, patients and health education. The most important skills for a field nurse are patients, home health, and wound care.

Public health nurse vs field nurse overview

Public Health NurseField Nurse
Yearly salary$60,319$78,753
Hourly rate$29.00$37.86
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs310,843678,050
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Associate Degree, 42%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Public health nurse vs field nurse salary

Public health nurses and field nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Public Health NurseField Nurse
Average salary$60,319$78,753
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $84,000Between $52,000 And $118,000
Highest paying CitySan Mateo, CA-
Highest paying stateHawaii-
Best paying companyDignity Health-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between public health nurse and field nurse education

There are a few differences between a public health nurse and a field nurse in terms of educational background:

Public Health NurseField Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Associate Degree, 42%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Public health nurse vs field nurse demographics

Here are the differences between public health nurses' and field nurses' demographics:

Public Health NurseField Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 7.5% Female, 92.5%Male, 9.4% Female, 90.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between public health nurse and field nurse duties and responsibilities

Public health nurse example responsibilities.

  • Participate in manage care activities to produce health change, specifically providing diabetes education and lifestyle counseling in chronic disease areas.
  • Assist in application of traction devices.perform routine tests such as urine dip stick, vision and hearing tests.
  • Dispense medications and provide education for TB patients.
  • Provide basic CPR classes at the community level as well.
  • Produce and conduct staff classes such as CPR, respiratory protection, infectious diseases, etc.
  • Instruct family in the care and rehabilitation of patient, maintenance of health and prevention of disease for family members.
  • Show more

Field nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Screen prospective clients for need immunizations, implementing after evaluating patients' medical history and obtaining sign release.
  • Promote health literacy by educating patients and caregivers on disease management, diagnosis, medical interventions, and pharmaceuticals.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Prepare and give injections and enemas, monitor catheters, apply dressings, treat bedsores and give alcohol rubs and massages.
  • Document patient care in a manner that complies with JCAHO standards.
  • Show more

Public health nurse vs field nurse skills

Common public health nurse skills
  • Community Health, 10%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Health Education, 8%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Communicable Diseases, 5%
  • Home Health, 3%
Common field nurse skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Home Health, 14%
  • Wound Care, 7%
  • Palliative Care, 6%
  • IV, 4%
  • Disease Process, 3%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs