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Registered nurse med/surg vs registered nurse in the icu

The differences between registered nurse med/surgs and registered nurse in the icus 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 med/surg and a registered nurse in the icu. Additionally, a registered nurse in the icu has an average salary of $92,881, which is higher than the $84,812 average annual salary of a registered nurse med/surg.

The top three skills for a registered nurse med/surg include patients, BLS and acute care. The most important skills for a registered nurse in the icu are patients, BLS, and acls.

Registered nurse med/surg vs registered nurse in the icu overview

Registered Nurse Med/SurgRegistered Nurse In The ICU
Yearly salary$84,812$92,881
Hourly rate$40.77$44.65
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs515,200631,825
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a registered nurse med/surg do?

The job of registered medical-surgical nurses is to care for patients with either surgical or non-surgical conditions. They are responsible for aiding patients to cope with their illness, prevent diseases, and promote good health. Entry-level registered nurses often rely on standardized care plans and medical procedures and make scientific-based nursing judgments. On the other hand, intermediate level nurses are more skilled in developing care plans that meet client needs. Requirements to become a medical-surgical nurse include a college degree in nursing, excellent assessment and observation skills, and patient education skills.

What does a registered nurse in the icu do?

A registered nurse in the ICU, or intensive care unit, is responsible for monitoring a patient's progress and performing regular reports to physicians and families. Most ICU patients require extensive attention and assessment, which will require a nurse to be more observant and proactive. A nurse may also have duties producing paperwork, arranging schedules, responding to various inquiries, and crafting a particular care plan. Furthermore, should there be any emergencies, it is crucial to inform the assigned physician right away.

Registered nurse med/surg vs registered nurse in the icu salary

Registered nurse med/surgs and registered nurse in the icus have different pay scales, as shown below.

Registered Nurse Med/SurgRegistered Nurse In The ICU
Average salary$84,812$92,881
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $145,000Between $54,000 And $156,000
Highest paying CityLancaster, CALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandConnecticut
Best paying companyDignity HealthScripps Health
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between registered nurse med/surg and registered nurse in the icu education

There are a few differences between a registered nurse med/surg and a registered nurse in the icu in terms of educational background:

Registered Nurse Med/SurgRegistered Nurse In The ICU
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Registered nurse med/surg vs registered nurse in the icu demographics

Here are the differences between registered nurse med/surgs' and registered nurse in the icus' demographics:

Registered Nurse Med/SurgRegistered Nurse In The ICU
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 10.9% Female, 89.1%Male, 17.5% Female, 82.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 9.1% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 9.2% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between registered nurse med/surg and registered nurse in the icu duties and responsibilities

Registered nurse med/surg example responsibilities.

  • Manage respiratory ventilator, EKG equipment, intravenous and oral medication, intravenous pump machine, and blood products transfusion.
  • Achieve telemetry and BLS certification.
  • Interact with professionalism and compassion to consistently achieve confidence in care.
  • Manage and care for medical-surgical ICU patients including neurology and plastic surgery patients.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Provide compassion to patients and family members ensuring optimal levels of comfort and privacy
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Registered nurse in the icu example responsibilities.

  • Manage care of patients with HTN, DM, COPD, asthma, stroke, renal failure.
  • Achieve initial CCRN this employment environment.
  • Manage care for patients with multiple chronic/acute conditions including renal, cardiac, respiratory, GI and diabetic.
  • Manage care of patients who require cardiac monitoring, including dialysis, COPD, CHF and pre/post surgical patients
  • Manage central venous catheters, including PICC lines, arterial lines as required for administration of medication and nutrition support.
  • Monitor and manage chest tubes and various drainage devices along with pacer wires, epidural lines, and PCA pumps.
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Registered nurse med/surg vs registered nurse in the icu skills

Common registered nurse med/surg skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • BLS, 16%
  • Acute Care, 8%
  • Acls, 6%
  • Direct Patient Care, 3%
  • Discharge Planning, 2%
Common registered nurse in the icu skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 15%
  • Acls, 10%
  • Acute Care, 6%
  • Life Support, 5%
  • Advanced Life Support, 3%

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