Post job

Registered nurse med/surg vs registered nurse prn

The differences between registered nurse med/surgs and registered nurse prns 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 an registered nurse prn. Additionally, a registered nurse med/surg has an average salary of $84,812, which is higher than the $77,449 average annual salary of an registered nurse prn.

The top three skills for a registered nurse med/surg include patients, BLS and acute care. The most important skills for an registered nurse prn are patients, home health, and acute care.

Registered nurse med/surg vs registered nurse prn overview

Registered Nurse Med/SurgRegistered Nurse PRN
Yearly salary$84,812$77,449
Hourly rate$40.77$37.24
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs515,200636,925
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 44%
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 an registered nurse prn do?

As a registered nurse PRN, their job is to collaborate with medical teams, reviewing the patient records to ensure providing the best quality health care for patients. They deliberate ongoing patient care with physicians and other staff. In addition, they help explain treatment to patients and their families. Moreover, they also provide different services, including treatment of chronic illnesses and providing urgent care. They may be scheduled in a flexible shift to work in various departments as needed.

Registered nurse med/surg vs registered nurse prn salary

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

Registered Nurse Med/SurgRegistered Nurse PRN
Average salary$84,812$77,449
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $145,000Between $46,000 And $130,000
Highest paying CityLancaster, CACamden, NJ
Highest paying stateRhode IslandCalifornia
Best paying companyDignity HealthBaptist Health Care
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between registered nurse med/surg and registered nurse prn education

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

Registered Nurse Med/SurgRegistered Nurse PRN
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 44%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Registered nurse med/surg vs registered nurse prn demographics

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

Registered Nurse Med/SurgRegistered Nurse PRN
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 10.9% Female, 89.1%Male, 10.7% Female, 89.3%
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, 12.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between registered nurse med/surg and registered nurse prn 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
  • Show more

Registered nurse prn example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Float nurse for the emergency department, ICU, CCU, telemetry and adult psychiatric unit.
  • Deliver high-quality and compassionate treatment to sickle cell specialty patients and other hematology and oncology patients.
  • Work in various areas including ER, CCU, ICU, and Tele.
  • Supervise 2-3 CNAs per shift.
  • Supervise CNAs who are assisting with client care.
  • Show more

Registered nurse med/surg vs registered nurse prn 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 prn skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • Acute Care, 7%
  • Acls, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
  • Surgery, 4%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs