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Registered health nurse vs occupational health nurse

The differences between registered health nurses and occupational health 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 registered health nurse and an occupational health nurse. Additionally, a registered health nurse has an average salary of $75,713, which is higher than the $67,887 average annual salary of an occupational health nurse.

The top three skills for a registered health nurse include patients, home health and CPR. The most important skills for an occupational health nurse are patients, OSHA, and CPR.

Registered health nurse vs occupational health nurse overview

Registered Health NurseOccupational Health Nurse
Yearly salary$75,713$67,887
Hourly rate$36.40$32.64
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs538,508328,501
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a registered health nurse do?

Registered health nurses work in collaboration with other health care professionals. They provide direct patient care, assess and record symptoms, progress, and reactions, all of which provides the source for care planning and intervention. They also manage nursing care plans, instruct patients and their families in the right care, and aid individuals and groups to improve or maintain their good health. It also requires a large base of knowledge and experience in order to assess, plan, and give intervention to promote health, avoid disease, and help patients cope with ailments.

What does an occupational health nurse do?

An Occupational Health Nurse provides and delivers health and safety programs and services to workers and community groups. They manage employee health records and statistics as well as develop and manage emergency procedures.

Registered health nurse vs occupational health nurse salary

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

Registered Health NurseOccupational Health Nurse
Average salary$75,713$67,887
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $112,000Between $49,000 And $93,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CACupertino, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandCalifornia
Best paying companyBaptist Health CareApple
Best paying industryHealth CareAutomotive

Differences between registered health nurse and occupational health nurse education

There are a few differences between a registered health nurse and an occupational health nurse in terms of educational background:

Registered Health NurseOccupational Health Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Registered health nurse vs occupational health nurse demographics

Here are the differences between registered health nurses' and occupational health nurses' demographics:

Registered Health NurseOccupational Health Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 11.1% Female, 88.9%Male, 11.0% Female, 89.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between registered health nurse and occupational health nurse duties and responsibilities

Registered health nurse example responsibilities.

  • Operate specialize equipment such as cardiac monitor, EKG, DEA, managing nasal pharyngeal and gastric suction.
  • Manage ventilator settings and complete tracheostomy care on chronically ill patients.
  • Manage patient care monitoring vital signs, performing physical assessment, checking patients medications for effectiveness.
  • Participate in manage care activities to produce health change, specifically providing diabetes education and lifestyle counseling in chronic disease areas.
  • Deliver a complete range of care to general Medicare, Medicaid home care patient's.
  • Obtain knowledge of medical diagnostic and billing codes used for private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements.
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Occupational health nurse example responsibilities.

  • Participate in manage care activities to produce health change, specifically providing diabetes education and lifestyle counseling in chronic disease areas.
  • Facilitate rehabilitation of injure employees, utilizing case management to ensure coordination of care, FMLA and return-to-work program.
  • Provide emergency triage care as appropriate, dispense medications and treatments, and assist physicians with physical exams and/or psychiatric evaluations.
  • Exercise compassion and respect for all cultures.
  • Prepare for HIPAA and MI-OSHA reviews and audits.
  • Maintain and coordinate a and written a program.
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Registered health nurse vs occupational health nurse skills

Common registered health nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Home Health, 23%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Quality Care, 4%
  • Mental Health, 3%
  • Compassion, 3%
Common occupational health nurse skills
  • Patients, 10%
  • OSHA, 9%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Spirometry, 5%
  • Health Promotion, 4%

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