Post job

Step-down nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse

The differences between step-down nurses and registered nurses charge 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 registered nurse charge nurse. Additionally, a step-down nurse has an average salary of $83,807, which is higher than the $71,342 average annual salary of a registered nurse charge nurse.

The top three skills for a step-down nurse include patients, BLS and acute care. The most important skills for a registered nurse charge nurse are patients, BLS, and CPR.

Step-down nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse overview

Step-Down NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Yearly salary$83,807$71,342
Hourly rate$40.29$34.30
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs435,149645,134
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Associate Degree, 51%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Step-down nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse salary

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

Step-Down NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average salary$83,807$71,342
Salary rangeBetween $52,000 And $133,000Between $46,000 And $110,000
Highest paying City-San Diego, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Alameda Health System
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between step-down nurse and registered nurse charge nurse education

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

Step-Down NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Associate Degree, 51%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Step-down nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse demographics

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

Step-Down NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 17.3% Female, 82.8%Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%
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, 11.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between step-down nurse and registered nurse charge 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

Registered nurse charge nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage intravenous therapy via peripheral and central catheters; antibiotic, TPN/lipid, constant cardiac medication infusion and fluid administration.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Assess and carefully monitor medically diverse patients who require telemetry and safely administer medications.
  • Collaborate with ICU team to provide excellent patient care utilizing critical thinking skills and evidence-base practice.
  • Document patient medical history and symptoms, administer treatment and medications, and follow-up with patients during rehabilitation.
  • Respond to codes, administering CPR and oxygen, monitoring vitals and preparing medications in anticipation of physician orders.
  • Show more

Step-down nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse skills

Common step-down nurse skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • BLS, 15%
  • Acute Care, 8%
  • Life Support, 7%
  • Acls, 6%
  • Telemetry, 4%
Common registered nurse charge nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 8%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Direct Patient Care, 4%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs