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Special duty nurse vs surgical nurse

The differences between special duty nurses and surgical 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 surgical nurse. Additionally, a special duty nurse has an average salary of $67,188, which is higher than the $64,025 average annual salary of a surgical nurse.

The top three skills for a special duty nurse include patients, acls and MRI. The most important skills for a surgical nurse are patients, BLS, and acute care.

Special duty nurse vs surgical nurse overview

Special Duty NurseSurgical Nurse
Yearly salary$67,188$64,025
Hourly rate$32.30$30.78
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs566,742638,444
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Special duty nurse vs surgical nurse salary

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

Special Duty NurseSurgical Nurse
Average salary$67,188$64,025
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $110,000Between $39,000 And $103,000
Highest paying City-Thousand Oaks, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between special duty nurse and surgical nurse education

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

Special Duty NurseSurgical Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Special duty nurse vs surgical nurse demographics

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

Special Duty NurseSurgical Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 16.7% Female, 83.3%Male, 11.2% Female, 88.8%
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, 12.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between special duty nurse and surgical 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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Surgical nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage GI bleeds, asthmatics, bowel resections, fractures, patients with chest and feeding tubes.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Maintain BLS, NRP, ACLS
  • Prepare patients for procedures, initiate and maintain intravenous therapy, and obtain 12-lead EKG.
  • Establish care plans and perform care for ICU, CCU, cardiac, and neurological patients.
  • Serve as a BLS/ ACLS instructor.
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Special duty nurse vs surgical nurse skills

Common special duty nurse skills
  • Patients, 41%
  • Acls, 16%
  • MRI, 15%
  • Home Health, 4%
  • CPR, 4%
  • IV, 3%
Common surgical nurse skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • BLS, 15%
  • Acute Care, 7%
  • Acls, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
  • Quality Care, 3%

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