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Surgical nurse vs field nurse

The differences between surgical 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 surgical nurse and a field nurse. Additionally, a field nurse has an average salary of $78,753, which is higher than the $64,025 average annual salary of a surgical nurse.

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

Surgical nurse vs field nurse overview

Surgical NurseField Nurse
Yearly salary$64,025$78,753
Hourly rate$30.78$37.86
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs638,444678,050
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 42%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Surgical nurse vs field nurse salary

Surgical nurses and field nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Surgical NurseField Nurse
Average salary$64,025$78,753
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $103,000Between $52,000 And $118,000
Highest paying CityThousand Oaks, CA-
Highest paying stateHawaii-
Best paying companyUniversity of California, Berkeley-
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between surgical nurse and field nurse education

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

Surgical NurseField Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 42%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Surgical nurse vs field nurse demographics

Here are the differences between surgical nurses' and field nurses' demographics:

Surgical NurseField Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 11.2% Female, 88.8%Male, 9.4% Female, 90.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 surgical nurse and field nurse duties and responsibilities

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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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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Surgical nurse vs field nurse skills

Common surgical nurse skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • BLS, 15%
  • Acute Care, 7%
  • Acls, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
  • Quality Care, 3%
Common field nurse skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Home Health, 14%
  • Wound Care, 7%
  • Palliative Care, 6%
  • IV, 4%
  • Disease Process, 3%

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