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Registered nurse charge nurse vs contractor-registered nurse

The differences between registered nurses charge nurses and contractor-registered 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 nurse charge nurse and a contractor-registered nurse. Additionally, a contractor-registered nurse has an average salary of $128,474, which is higher than the $71,342 average annual salary of a registered nurse charge nurse.

The top three skills for a registered nurse charge nurse include patients, BLS and CPR. The most important skills for a contractor-registered nurse are patients, BLS, and ICU.

Registered nurse charge nurse vs contractor-registered nurse overview

Registered Nurse Charge NurseContractor-Registered Nurse
Yearly salary$71,342$128,474
Hourly rate$34.30$61.77
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs645,134648,022
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

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.

What does a contractor-registered nurse do?

A contractor-registered nurse is responsible for taking care of patients in a medical facility or a similar setting under a contractual arrangement. Their responsibilities are no different from regular registered nurses. They also administer medicines, assist patients and their families, manage schedules, monitor patient conditions, update charts, maintain accurate records, and work full-time. Furthermore, they must coordinate with physicians and other health experts in creating and executing care plans for patients, all while maintaining an active communication line.

Registered nurse charge nurse vs contractor-registered nurse salary

Registered nurses charge nurses and contractor-registered nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Registered Nurse Charge NurseContractor-Registered Nurse
Average salary$71,342$128,474
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $110,000Between $72,000 And $228,000
Highest paying CitySan Diego, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateHawaiiRhode Island
Best paying companyAlameda Health SystemDignity Health
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between registered nurse charge nurse and contractor-registered nurse education

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

Registered Nurse Charge NurseContractor-Registered Nurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Registered nurse charge nurse vs contractor-registered nurse demographics

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

Registered Nurse Charge NurseContractor-Registered Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 12.1% Female, 87.9%Male, 15.2% Female, 84.8%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 9.1% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between registered nurse charge nurse and contractor-registered nurse duties and responsibilities

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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Contractor-registered nurse example responsibilities.

  • Assign to cardiac vascular recovery units, manage open-heart recovery, critical care, and post-anesthesia patients.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Contract RN caring for patients in ICU, CCU, and telemetry floor.
  • Float to other floors such as orthopedics, oncology, and skil units.
  • Collaborate with house nursing supervisor for transfer and admittance of new patients to the ICU.
  • Assist with staffing needs in PACU recovering post-op surgical patients after general, spinal, and conscious sedation anesthesia.
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Registered nurse charge nurse vs contractor-registered nurse skills

Common registered nurse charge nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 8%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Direct Patient Care, 4%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
Common contractor-registered nurse skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • BLS, 10%
  • ICU, 9%
  • Compassion, 8%
  • Acls, 5%
  • Acute Care, 5%

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