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Surgery technician vs veterinary nurse

The differences between surgery technicians and veterinary nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a surgery technician and a veterinary nurse. Additionally, a surgery technician has an average salary of $41,646, which is higher than the $34,511 average annual salary of a veterinary nurse.

The top three skills for a surgery technician include patients, patient care and surgical procedures. The most important skills for a veterinary nurse are patients, patient care, and PET.

Surgery technician vs veterinary nurse overview

Surgery TechnicianVeterinary Nurse
Yearly salary$41,646$34,511
Hourly rate$20.02$16.59
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs83,37617,000
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age3232
Years of experience1212

Surgery technician vs veterinary nurse salary

Surgery technicians and veterinary nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Surgery TechnicianVeterinary Nurse
Average salary$41,646$34,511
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $55,000Between $26,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-CVS Health
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between surgery technician and veterinary nurse education

There are a few differences between a surgery technician and a veterinary nurse in terms of educational background:

Surgery TechnicianVeterinary Nurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesMedical Assisting Services
Most common collegeEmory UniversityUniversity of Florida

Surgery technician vs veterinary nurse demographics

Here are the differences between surgery technicians' and veterinary nurses' demographics:

Surgery TechnicianVeterinary Nurse
Average age3232
Gender ratioMale, 26.3% Female, 73.7%Male, 14.8% Female, 85.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 2.1% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 2.1% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between surgery technician and veterinary nurse duties and responsibilities

Surgery technician example responsibilities.

  • Sterilized/packed surgical instruments, prepare large and small animal patients for surgery, assist with surgical procedures.
  • Use compassion when client's pets have passed away or need to be euthanize due to loss of quality of life.
  • Assist in positioning and supporting patients for regional anesthesia procedures such as spinal and epidurals.
  • Qualify to administer and monitor anesthesia, and assist in surgical procedures, including preparatory and post-op care.
  • Work closely with clients, other staff and Dr. Faulkner.

Veterinary nurse example responsibilities.

  • Place intravenous catheters manage iv lines and medication administration.
  • Monitor anesthesia and first-assist in surgical procedures -assist doctors in filling prescriptions, communicating with pet owners, and monitoring patients.
  • Prepare oxygen, fluid and catheter equipment for routine use and emergency situations.
  • Administer vaccinations, medications, catheter placement, surgery assisting and monitoring.
  • Collect laboratory speciments and run routine tests.place IV catheters and monitor fluids.
  • Prepare surgical suites, monitor anesthesia, maintain and sterilize equipment, recording patient history, prescription and laboratory information.
  • Show more

Surgery technician vs veterinary nurse skills

Common surgery technician skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • Patient Care, 17%
  • Surgical Procedures, 11%
  • CPR, 4%
  • Infection Control, 3%
  • Surgical Instruments, 3%
Common veterinary nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • PET, 8%
  • Catheter, 6%
  • Medical Procedures, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 5%

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