RN Vs. Dental Hygienist Salary
Registered nurses treat patients with medical conditions and educate them about the problems they face. Dental hygienists manage patients' oral hygiene and provide preventive dental care. Both occupations serve as a liaison between the patient and the doctor or dentist responsible for the patient's care. Despite the differences in job responsibilities, the average salary of each occupation is comparable.
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Earnings
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses earned a median annual salary of $62,450, as of May 2008. Dental hygienists earned a median annual salary of $66,570, as of May 2008. The middle 50 percent of registered nurses earned from $51,640 to $76,570, whereas the middle 50 percent of dental hygienists earned from $55,220 to $78,990 as of that time.
Employment
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As of 2008, registered nurses held 2.6 million jobs, whereas dental hygienists held roughly 174,100 jobs. The BLS estimates that job prospects for nursing and dental hygiene are favorable. Dental hygienists "rank among the fastest-growing occupations."
Most registered nurses are employed in public and private hospitals, doctors' offices, nursing care facilities and home health care agencies. Registered nurses' shifts vary, and they frequently work nights, weekends and holidays. Dental hygienists work primarily in dentists' offices and have regularly scheduled shifts during normal business hours.
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Education and Training
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Registered nurses must complete a formalized education program in nursing, and dental hygienists must complete an accredited dental hygiene program. Registered nursing programs lead to a diploma, associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing. Most dental hygiene programs grant an associate's degree, although some programs offer bachelor's or graduate degrees.
Education and training for both occupations require at least 12 months of study. Some programs last as long as four years, depending on the degree sought. Both registered nurses and dental hygienists are trained in the sciences, such as biology, anatomy, physiology and chemistry. They also learn medical terminology as well as how to identify and handle medical equipment.
Advancement Opportunities
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Registered nurses and dental hygienists have the opportunity to advance within their industries and increase their salaries. With a graduate or postgraduate degree, a registered nurse can be promoted to a unit manager, nurse practitioner or chief of nursing. For dental hygienists, a bachelor's or master's degree in dental hygiene can lead to work in public health, teaching or corporate environments.
Considerations
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The registered nursing and dental hygiene fields have certain similarities that account for the similarities in salaries. Registered nurses are to the medical field what dental hygienists are to the field of dentistry. While each occupation has different job duties and functions, they are both critical to the success of their industries. If you are considering either occupation as a career, make the job duties of each a determining factor. The length of the educational programs, advancement opportunities and salaries are very similar for each occupation.
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References
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