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Surgical nurse vs practical nurse

The differences between surgical nurses and practical 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 practical nurse. Additionally, a practical nurse has an average salary of $75,363, 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 practical nurse are patients, APN, and home health.

Surgical nurse vs practical nurse overview

Surgical NursePractical Nurse
Yearly salary$64,025$75,363
Hourly rate$30.78$36.23
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs638,444511,602
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age4446
Years of experience22

What does a surgical nurse do?

Generally, a surgical nurse provides patient care before, during, and after surgery. Surgical nurses assist the surgeons and anesthetists whenever necessary. They prepare patients for their surgery and serve the actual procedure. It is part of their job to mark incision sites and sterilize them. They give preoperative instructions, prepare the operating room, and administer medication. The roles they play include being circulating and scrub nurses. Also, they intervene whenever complications occur.

What does a practical nurse do?

A practical nurse is responsible for providing the highest quality care services for the patients and assisting them with their needs and concerns. Practical nurses work within a health institution or private household to support the patients in their daily activities, monitor their conditions, administer medication, and inform the doctors of their health updates. They also coordinate with other medical professionals to develop nursing care plans and activities to suit the patients' lifestyle and keep their active wellbeing.

Surgical nurse vs practical nurse salary

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

Surgical NursePractical Nurse
Average salary$64,025$75,363
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $103,000Between $47,000 And $120,000
Highest paying CityThousand Oaks, CALancaster, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiCalifornia
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyUniversity Hospitals
Best paying industryProfessionalHealth Care

Differences between surgical nurse and practical nurse education

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

Surgical NursePractical Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityEmory University

Surgical nurse vs practical nurse demographics

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

Surgical NursePractical Nurse
Average age4446
Gender ratioMale, 11.2% Female, 88.8%Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7%
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, 12.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 6.3% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage9%7%

Differences between surgical nurse and practical 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.
  • Show more

Practical nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage surgical recovery patients including vascular, ENT, GI urological and neurological cases, coronary bypass surgery patients.
  • Treat patients with dignity, respect, and compassion while maintaining there safety.
  • Maintain safety and quality standards of care while facilitating early discharge of mother and baby.
  • Maintain HIPPA and OSHA guidelines.
  • Receive and implementing Dr orders.
  • Train in lactation and NRP certify.
  • Show more

Surgical nurse vs practical nurse skills

Common surgical nurse skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • BLS, 15%
  • Acute Care, 7%
  • Acls, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
  • Quality Care, 3%
Common practical nurse skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • APN, 7%
  • Home Health, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Physical Examinations, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%

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