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Telemetry registered nurse vs surgical nurse

The differences between telemetry registered nurses and surgical 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 telemetry registered nurse and a surgical nurse. Additionally, a telemetry registered nurse has an average salary of $91,416, which is higher than the $64,025 average annual salary of a surgical nurse.

The top three skills for a telemetry registered nurse include patients, BLS and acls. The most important skills for a surgical nurse are patients, BLS, and acute care.

Telemetry registered nurse vs surgical nurse overview

Telemetry Registered NurseSurgical Nurse
Yearly salary$91,416$64,025
Hourly rate$43.95$30.78
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs637,560638,444
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a telemetry registered nurse do?

A telemetry registered nurse is a healthcare professional who specializes in caring for patients with heart disease or other medical issues that require continuous telemetry monitoring. Telemetry registered nurses are required to read and monitor the output of electrocardiograms (EKGs), which translate the heart's electrical impulses into a readable rhythm. They must respond to patients who are experiencing cardiac pain and perform various diagnostic tests. Telemetry registered nurses must also assist doctors with different procedures and treatments for cardiac issues.

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.

Telemetry registered nurse vs surgical nurse salary

Telemetry registered nurses and surgical nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Telemetry Registered NurseSurgical Nurse
Average salary$91,416$64,025
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $153,000Between $39,000 And $103,000
Highest paying CitySpringfield, MAThousand Oaks, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandHawaii
Best paying companyDignity HealthUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryHealth CareProfessional

Differences between telemetry registered nurse and surgical nurse education

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

Telemetry Registered NurseSurgical Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Telemetry registered nurse vs surgical nurse demographics

Here are the differences between telemetry registered nurses' and surgical nurses' demographics:

Telemetry Registered NurseSurgical Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 15.1% Female, 84.9%Male, 11.2% Female, 88.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 9.1% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between telemetry registered nurse and surgical nurse duties and responsibilities

Telemetry registered nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Care for patients suffering from CHF, post-MI, unstable angina, and various other cardiac disorders.
  • Discharge planning and teaching for post myocardial infarction and angina patients.
  • Work with certify ACLS team members to resuscitate patients in cardiac arrest.
  • Receive patients from PACU, doctors' offices and ER to the floor for admission.
  • Provide services including but not limit to; triage of patients, daily care of wounds and diabetic needs.
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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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Telemetry registered nurse vs surgical nurse skills

Common telemetry registered nurse skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • BLS, 14%
  • Acls, 8%
  • Acute Care, 8%
  • Quality Care, 3%
  • Electrocardiogram, 3%
Common surgical nurse skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • BLS, 15%
  • Acute Care, 7%
  • Acls, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
  • Quality Care, 3%

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