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Registered nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse

The differences between registered nurses and registered nurses charge 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 and a registered nurse charge nurse. Additionally, a registered nurse has an average salary of $73,349, which is higher than the $71,342 average annual salary of a registered nurse charge nurse.

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

Registered nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse overview

Registered NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Yearly salary$73,349$71,342
Hourly rate$35.26$34.30
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs646,159645,134
Job satisfaction2.75-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 51%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a registered nurse do?

The primary responsibilities of a registered nurse involve caring for a variety of patients, from ill and injured to those who are healthy and wanting to stay that way. Nurses have different specialization and work with particular patients, such as newborn babies or those who are suffering from particular medical conditions. They work on different settings which includes hospital, outpatient facility, rehabilitation center, nursing home, dialysis center, home healthcare agency, and other offices. They can administer medications, wound care, and other aids or treatment plan. They also conduct medical tests, interpret the results, and monitor patients' recovery and progress.

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.

Registered nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse salary

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

Registered NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average salary$73,349$71,342
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $117,000Between $46,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Diego, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyNORCAL AmbulanceAlameda Health System
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between registered nurse and registered nurse charge nurse education

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

Registered NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 51%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Registered nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse demographics

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

Registered NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 12.3% Female, 87.7%Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.0% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

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

Registered nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient care for individuals with multiple diagnoses including COPD, diabetes, stroke and cardiac issues.
  • Organize and manage regular clinics involving external physicians, including ophthalmology, ENT, Med/Surg, orthopedics, and podiatry professionals.
  • Manage surgical recovery patients including vascular, ENT, GI urological and neurological cases, coronary bypass surgery patients.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Provide care for cardiac patients in arrhythmia critical care unit, providing patient education and monitoring telemetry
  • Re-Cover surgical patients immediately after heart and vascular surgery until transfer out of ICU.
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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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Registered nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse skills

Common registered nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 10%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 5%
  • Home Health, 4%
Common registered nurse charge nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 8%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Direct Patient Care, 4%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%

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