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Utilization review nurse vs nurse

The differences between utilization review nurses and 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 utilization review nurse and a nurse. Additionally, a utilization review nurse has an average salary of $65,425, which is higher than the $57,564 average annual salary of a nurse.

The top three skills for a utilization review nurse include medical necessity, patients and acute care. The most important skills for a nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.

Utilization review nurse vs nurse overview

Utilization Review NurseNurse
Yearly salary$65,425$57,564
Hourly rate$31.45$27.68
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs29,776696,124
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a utilization review nurse do?

The primary role of an Utilization Review Nurse is to analyze the condition of each patient carefully and decide if the patient still needs to stay in the hospital or be sent home. They deal with patients' relatives, doctors, and people from insurance companies.

What does a nurse do?

Nurses are medical professionals assigned to a specific department in the hospital and provide their trusted department services. Nurses are in charge of taking patients' medical histories, getting vital signs, preparing patients for checkups or procedures, explaining upcoming practices, answering any questions, and communicating any concerns to the assigned doctor. Nurses should ensure that patients follow the medical advice given to them. They also assist patients in completing administrative requirements, such as filling out forms, validating details, and endorsing payments.

Utilization review nurse vs nurse salary

Utilization review nurses and nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Utilization Review NurseNurse
Average salary$65,425$57,564
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $89,000Between $38,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CityAlameda, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandCalifornia
Best paying companyMolina HealthcareConviva
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between utilization review nurse and nurse education

There are a few differences between a utilization review nurse and a nurse in terms of educational background:

Utilization Review NurseNurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Utilization review nurse vs nurse demographics

Here are the differences between utilization review nurses' and nurses' demographics:

Utilization Review NurseNurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 8.5% Female, 91.5%Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between utilization review nurse and nurse duties and responsibilities

Utilization review nurse example responsibilities.

  • Monitor patients' status during surgery (circulate in operating room) and manage patients in PACU.
  • Case management for acute patients refer to LTC
  • Advise insurance carriers on recommend reimbursement for charges following automate bill audit utilizing ICD-9 and CPT codes.
  • Provide caregiver oversight relate to care, medication administration and emergency situations.
  • Identify inappropriate utilization of services/settings through the application of establish clinical criteria using InterQual and CMS guidelines for medical necessity.
  • Direct contact with IPA providers.
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Nurse example responsibilities.

  • Monitor patients' status during surgery (circulate in operating room) and manage patients in PACU.
  • Manage high-acuity cardiac/pulmonary and psychiatric patients
  • Monitor patients for cardiac rhythm changes and implement medication according to ACLS guidelines.
  • Educate patients and families on diseases processes, medications, wind care, and iv infusion.
  • Provide care for patients on medical/surgical, transplant, cardiac, orthopedic, postpartum, neonatal ICU, and psychiatric units
  • Demonstrate competence in CPR and other medical emergency situations.
  • Show more

Utilization review nurse vs nurse skills

Common utilization review nurse skills
  • Medical Necessity, 9%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Acute Care, 7%
  • Discharge Planning, 7%
  • Utilization Management, 6%
  • Utilization Review, 6%
Common nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • BLS, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 4%

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