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Special duty nurse vs nurse

The differences between special duty nurses and 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 special duty nurse and a nurse. Additionally, a special duty nurse has an average salary of $67,188, which is higher than the $57,564 average annual salary of a nurse.

The top three skills for a special duty nurse include patients, acls and MRI. The most important skills for a nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.

Special duty nurse vs nurse overview

Special Duty NurseNurse
Yearly salary$67,188$57,564
Hourly rate$32.30$27.68
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs566,742696,124
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Special duty nurse vs nurse salary

Special duty nurses and nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Duty NurseNurse
Average salary$67,188$57,564
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $110,000Between $38,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Conviva
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between special duty nurse and nurse education

There are a few differences between a special duty nurse and a nurse in terms of educational background:

Special Duty NurseNurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Special duty nurse vs nurse demographics

Here are the differences between special duty nurses' and nurses' demographics:

Special Duty NurseNurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 16.7% Female, 83.3%Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between special duty nurse and nurse duties and responsibilities

Special duty nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Educate patients on chemotherapy and relate treatments including growth factors and radiation.
  • Take vitals and history of patients and enter into EMR (NexGen).
  • Operate the EMR system with proficiency to assist in the proper care of patients.
  • Interact closely with family members and patients in evaluating treatment plans and administer prescribed medications/treatments.
  • Perform and participate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
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Nurse example responsibilities.

  • Monitor patients' status during surgery (circulate in operating room) and manage patients in PACU.
  • Manage high-acuity cardiac/pulmonary and psychiatric patients
  • Monitor patients for cardiac rhythm changes and implement medication according to ACLS guidelines.
  • Educate patients and families on diseases processes, medications, wind care, and iv infusion.
  • Provide care for patients on medical/surgical, transplant, cardiac, orthopedic, postpartum, neonatal ICU, and psychiatric units
  • Demonstrate competence in CPR and other medical emergency situations.
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Special duty nurse vs nurse skills

Common special duty nurse skills
  • Patients, 41%
  • Acls, 16%
  • MRI, 15%
  • Home Health, 4%
  • CPR, 4%
  • IV, 3%
Common nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • BLS, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 4%

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