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Public health nurse vs nurse

The differences between public health 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 public health nurse and a nurse. Additionally, a public health nurse has an average salary of $60,319, which is higher than the $57,564 average annual salary of a nurse.

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

Public health nurse vs nurse overview

Public Health NurseNurse
Yearly salary$60,319$57,564
Hourly rate$29.00$27.68
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs310,843696,124
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a public health nurse do?

A Public Health Nurse maintains the public's health through providing health services and information. They promote a healthy lifestyle, take part in health campaigns, and educate and inform the public about issues, such as preventing disease.

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.

Public health nurse vs nurse salary

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

Public Health NurseNurse
Average salary$60,319$57,564
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $84,000Between $38,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CitySan Mateo, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiCalifornia
Best paying companyDignity HealthConviva
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between public health nurse and nurse education

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

Public Health NurseNurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Public health nurse vs nurse demographics

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

Public Health NurseNurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 7.5% Female, 92.5%Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0%
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, 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 public health nurse and 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.
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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.
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Public health nurse vs nurse skills

Common public health nurse skills
  • Community Health, 10%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Health Education, 8%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Communicable Diseases, 5%
  • Home Health, 3%
Common nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • BLS, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 4%

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