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Registered health nurse vs public health nurse

The differences between registered health nurses and public 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 a public health nurse. Additionally, a registered health nurse has an average salary of $75,713, which is higher than the $60,319 average annual salary of a public health nurse.

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

Registered health nurse vs public health nurse overview

Registered Health NursePublic Health Nurse
Yearly salary$75,713$60,319
Hourly rate$36.40$29.00
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs538,508310,843
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
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 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.

Registered health nurse vs public health nurse salary

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

Registered Health NursePublic Health Nurse
Average salary$75,713$60,319
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $112,000Between $42,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Mateo, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandHawaii
Best paying companyBaptist Health CareDignity Health
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between registered health nurse and public health nurse education

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

Registered Health NursePublic Health Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Registered health nurse vs public health nurse demographics

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

Registered Health NursePublic Health Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 11.1% Female, 88.9%Male, 7.5% Female, 92.5%
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, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between registered health nurse and public 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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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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Registered health nurse vs public health nurse skills

Common registered health nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Home Health, 23%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Quality Care, 4%
  • Mental Health, 3%
  • Compassion, 3%
Common public health nurse skills
  • Community Health, 10%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Health Education, 8%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Communicable Diseases, 5%
  • Home Health, 3%

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