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Step-down nurse vs field nurse

The differences between step-down nurses and field 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 step-down nurse and a field nurse. Additionally, a step-down nurse has an average salary of $83,807, which is higher than the $78,753 average annual salary of a field nurse.

The top three skills for a step-down nurse include patients, BLS and acute care. The most important skills for a field nurse are patients, home health, and wound care.

Step-down nurse vs field nurse overview

Step-Down NurseField Nurse
Yearly salary$83,807$78,753
Hourly rate$40.29$37.86
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs435,149678,050
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Associate Degree, 42%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Step-down nurse vs field nurse salary

Step-down nurses and field nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Step-Down NurseField Nurse
Average salary$83,807$78,753
Salary rangeBetween $52,000 And $133,000Between $52,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between step-down nurse and field nurse education

There are a few differences between a step-down nurse and a field nurse in terms of educational background:

Step-Down NurseField Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Associate Degree, 42%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Step-down nurse vs field nurse demographics

Here are the differences between step-down nurses' and field nurses' demographics:

Step-Down NurseField Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 17.3% Female, 82.8%Male, 9.4% Female, 90.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between step-down nurse and field nurse duties and responsibilities

Step-down nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Work with EKG monitor technicians to evaluate and interpret EKG strips.
  • Interpret laboratory results and cardiac tests, and proactively educate patients in health promotion and disease prevention.
  • Initiate intravenously therapy, administer medications, provide care for post-operative open-heart patients and post cardiac catheter patients.
  • Maintain responsibility for clinical activities of all nurses caring for patients assign, prepare annual evaluations on all nurses assign.
  • Perform electrocardiogram monitoring and medication administration.
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Field nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Screen prospective clients for need immunizations, implementing after evaluating patients' medical history and obtaining sign release.
  • Promote health literacy by educating patients and caregivers on disease management, diagnosis, medical interventions, and pharmaceuticals.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Prepare and give injections and enemas, monitor catheters, apply dressings, treat bedsores and give alcohol rubs and massages.
  • Document patient care in a manner that complies with JCAHO standards.
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Step-down nurse vs field nurse skills

Common step-down nurse skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • BLS, 15%
  • Acute Care, 8%
  • Life Support, 7%
  • Acls, 6%
  • Telemetry, 4%
Common field nurse skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Home Health, 14%
  • Wound Care, 7%
  • Palliative Care, 6%
  • IV, 4%
  • Disease Process, 3%

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