Clinical Nurse vs Registered Nurse — Understanding the Difference

Being a nurse is a hugely important and rewarding job. Ever since the beginning of modern nursing back in the mid-19th century, the fundamental principles that underlie what nurses do have remained the same. Nurses are there to administer medications and certain types of treatments, perform physical exams, coordinate care, and promote health. These core roles have remained the same for generations.

However, with the advancement of modern technology and development of different strands of medicine, the roles of nurses have become more specialised. And within the nursing pyramid, there are various levels of qualification and seniority that accommodate different specialties and personality types.

Two of the core types of nurses in Australia are clinical nurses and registered nurses. While both still adhere to the principles above, and there is some overlap in what they do, these are actually two distinct roles within the nursing structure.

Below we will discuss the role of the clinical nurse vs registered nurse, highlighting the key differences and similarities between the two. If you’re considering nursing as a career, understanding the difference will help you to decide which career path you may want to follow and what type of nurse you want to be.

 

What is a registered nurse?

A registered nurse is regulated by the Nurses and Midwives Board of Australia, registered and licensed under the appropriate Nursing Act. Registered nurses generally have a higher degree of responsibility than other nursing roles, and as such are often given managerial or team leader roles, or even work in administrative positions. Responsibilities generally include assessment and management of patients, administration of medications, as well as more complex nursing care. National competency standards mean that registered nurses have a higher level of autonomy than some other kinds of nurses.

 

What is a clinical nurse?

Clinical nurses are advanced practice registered nurses who hold master’s degrees in nursing and have received specialized training in specific areas of medicine. They hold all the same responsibilities as a registered nurse, only the field in which they operate is more focused. Clinical nurses will have undertaken additional studies in these areas of medicine, usually over a number of years, developing specific and relevant knowledge in this field.

Clinical nurses have a more in-depth knowledge of patient care in their area of specialty and their advanced clinical skills means they can take a role in passing on this knowledge to more junior colleagues and students. Specific roles of the clinical nurse in practice include making recommendations on diagnoses, consulting with patients on how best to manage their condition, performing advanced health assessments, and liaising with doctors to provide the right levels of care.

 

Clinical nurse vs registered nurse — the differences 

As you might expect, there is a lot of similar ground covered by both clinical and registered nurses. Both positions adhere to the basic principles of nursing, work in a clinical environment, and are essential to the care system here in Australia. However, there are some fundamental differences.

Clinical nurses need to have attained a master’s degree in nursing or a doctorate, whereas registered nurses only require an associate or bachelor’s degree. You also must have accrued more than 5,000 hours of on-the-job experience in order to qualify as a clinical nurse.

Their roles within a hospital or facility are slightly different too, with a clinical nurse being more research driven and administrative, generally taking more of a leadership role within the team. Clinical nurses also play a more significant role in passing on specific knowledge and ensuring compliance and best practice are met.

In terms of salary and opportunities for progression, for a registered nurse this will depend on the level of experience and pay point you have attained. A starting salary for a Level 1, Pay Point 1 registered nurse is around $50k a year. This rises to around $110k per year for highly qualified Level 5, Grade 6 nurses. Salaries for clinical nurses are $96k per year. Of course, there is possibility for further advancement if additional qualifications or responsibilities are added to these positions.

 

Clinical nurse vs registered nurse — making your choice 

As you can see, both clinical and registered nurses are highly qualified specialists who work in high pressure positions and carry out skilled and essential work within the health system. If you are considering being a nurse and have a desire to care for people and make a difference every time you go to work, then either position can be very rewarding. If general nursing, being part of a team, and experiencing a varied work life is more appealing to you, then the position of registered nurse is a great option. This is also a great option if you want to work your way up the ladder through experience on the job, learning from colleagues and building your level of responsibility.

However, if you would like to further specialize or have an interest in one particular branch of medicine, or if you are very academically minded and find the appeal of more detailed study an incentive, then you might be more suited to make the progression to a clinical nurse position. Whichever you choose, your journey will start with application and acceptance onto a nursing degree course.

Of course, in Australia there are also other types of nursing positions available too, including nurse practitioner, enrolled nurses and midwives. There are also assistants in nursing (AIN) positions which, although not technically nurses, do perform a lot of the same tasks under the supervision of a registered nurse or similar.

Regardless of the nursing role you select, having the appropriate attire and equipment is crucial for your daily activities.

At Medshop, explore our extensive selection of general and specialist nursing supplies, including a variety of nursing scrubs. These scrubs are not only functional but also designed for comfort and durability, essential for the demands of nursing work. Check out our range to see the full array of options available to support your nursing career.

Author: Carolyn Cumper's career spans from being a Patrol Officer in Rhodesia to a Paediatric Nurse in the UK, and later a Deputy Hospice Manager in Australia. Her diverse journey includes roles in law enforcement, healthcare, and business, culminating in her significant contributions to Medshop.