Post job

Step-down nurse vs private duty nurse

The differences between step-down nurses and private duty 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 private duty nurse. Additionally, a step-down nurse has an average salary of $83,807, which is higher than the $55,518 average annual salary of a private duty nurse.

The top three skills for a step-down nurse include patients, BLS and acute care. The most important skills for a private duty nurse are home health, patients, and medication administration.

Step-down nurse vs private duty nurse overview

Step-Down NursePrivate Duty Nurse
Yearly salary$83,807$55,518
Hourly rate$40.29$26.69
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs435,149256,740
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Associate Degree, 36%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Step-down nurse vs private duty nurse salary

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

Step-Down NursePrivate Duty Nurse
Average salary$83,807$55,518
Salary rangeBetween $52,000 And $133,000Between $41,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City-Springfield, MA
Highest paying state-Rhode Island
Best paying company-Health First
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between step-down nurse and private duty nurse education

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

Step-Down NursePrivate Duty Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Associate Degree, 36%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Step-down nurse vs private duty nurse demographics

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

Step-Down NursePrivate Duty Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 17.3% Female, 82.8%Male, 9.6% Female, 90.4%
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, 11.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between step-down nurse and private duty 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.
  • Show more

Private duty nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage Ventriculostomies and interpret ICP and CVP readings.
  • Manage patient care monitoring vital signs, performing physical assessment, checking patients medications for effectiveness.
  • Communicate with medicaid, and insurance companies to ensure patients receive appropriate care and payment of procedures and medication.
  • Provide daily assessments, ADL's medication management and any necessary medical treatments.
  • Monitor ventilator and oxygen saturation regularly; offer medication, treatments, and tracheostomy care.
  • Provide care to home bound individuals with tracheostomy, ventilator assistance patients, administration of medications, referrals
  • Show more

Step-down nurse vs private duty nurse skills

Common step-down nurse skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • BLS, 15%
  • Acute Care, 8%
  • Life Support, 7%
  • Acls, 6%
  • Telemetry, 4%
Common private duty nurse skills
  • Home Health, 34%
  • Patients, 31%
  • Medication Administration, 3%
  • Hospice Care, 3%
  • Vital Signs, 3%
  • Trach Care, 3%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs