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Registered nurse charge nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse

The differences between registered nurses charge nurses and psychiatric 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 psychiatric registered nurse. Additionally, a psychiatric registered nurse has an average salary of $73,053, 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 psychiatric registered nurse are patients, home health, and patient safety.

Registered nurse charge nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse overview

Registered Nurse Charge NursePsychiatric Registered Nurse
Yearly salary$71,342$73,053
Hourly rate$34.30$35.12
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs645,134640,480
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 51%Associate 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 psychiatric registered nurse do?

A registered psychiatric nurse works alongside mental health experts to develop and administer psychiatric treatment plans according to the patients' needs. Among their responsibilities include gathering and organizing patient information, studying the patients' medical histories, conducting interviews and assessments, providing counseling, administering medicine, and restraining unsettled patients. There are also instances when they must conduct inspections to remove potentially harmful objects and provide psychoeducation to the patients' families. Above all, a registered psychiatric nurse must closely monitor the behavior of patients, record their daily progress, and report to the psychiatrists regularly.

Registered nurse charge nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse salary

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

Registered Nurse Charge NursePsychiatric Registered Nurse
Average salary$71,342$73,053
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $110,000Between $45,000 And $117,000
Highest paying CitySan Diego, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiNew York
Best paying companyAlameda Health SystemScripps Health
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between registered nurse charge nurse and psychiatric registered nurse education

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

Registered Nurse Charge NursePsychiatric Registered Nurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 51%Associate Degree, 43%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Registered nurse charge nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse demographics

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

Registered Nurse Charge NursePsychiatric Registered Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 12.1% Female, 87.9%Male, 16.7% Female, 83.3%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between registered nurse charge nurse and psychiatric 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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Psychiatric registered nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Collaborate with psychiatrists and therapists to coordinate detoxification protocol, medical and psychiatric care for mental health and substance abuse patients.
  • Perform psychiatric nursing assessments and medication management for patients in a residential detox and rehab for alcohol and substance abuse.
  • Certify CPR instructor and conduct CPR training sessions.
  • Staff RN; function in various duties of triage, staff, and charge nurse positions.
  • Communicate triage decisions to psychiatrists.
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Registered nurse charge nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse skills

Common registered nurse charge nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 8%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Direct Patient Care, 4%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
Common psychiatric registered nurse skills
  • Patients, 33%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • Patient Safety, 4%
  • Substance Abuse, 4%
  • Triage, 4%
  • IM, 4%

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