What's the difference between a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner?

RN vs. NP: What's the Difference?

Nurses are driven by their passion for helping people. As a nurse, you’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in patients’ lives every day. But did you know different types of nurses have different roles, responsibilities, and levels of authority and autonomy?

These factors are among the differences between the registered nurse (RN) role and the nurse practitioner (NP) role.

Most nurses tend to start their careers as RNs, who typically have less autonomy than NPs and hold either an associate degree in nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). In addition to their degree, RNs must also meet state licensure requirements and pass a licensure exam.

NPs, on the other hand, are more advanced and higher-level nursing professionals. NPs have at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or an equivalent graduate level degree. They also have the opportunity to pursue a specialization based on their professional interests and the populations they prefer to serve. This level of education and experience means NPs tend to have more autonomy and responsibilities. They can also qualify to serve in a range of leadership positions.

Both roles are vital in providing quality health care, and understanding their differences can guide aspiring health care professionals toward a potentially fulfilling and rewarding career path.

Defining a Registered Nurse vs. Nurse Practitioner

To understand the differences between being an RN and being an NP, you need to know the basic definition, purpose, and responsibilities of each role.

What Is a Registered Nurse?

RNs comprise the foundation of the nursing profession and are crucial in providing direct patient care, promoting health, preventing illness, and assisting individuals and communities in maintaining overall well-being.

The specific duties of registered nurses can vary based on their education, experience, and the health care setting in which they work. Generally, RNs are responsible for assessing patients' health conditions, administering medications, coordinating and implementing care plans, collaborating with other health care professionals, and educating patients and their families on various aspects of health care.

Key characteristics and responsibilities of registered nurses include the following.

Registered Nurse Education

Those hoping to pursue a career as an RN have a few options they can pursue in terms of formal nursing education. Note that most credentials can be completed in-person or with 100% online coursework — which may more easily fit your professional nursing schedule.

Here are some of the educational pathways toward becoming an RN.

  • Diploma. You can earn a practical nursing diploma and begin working as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in about a year in some programs.
  • Associate degree. An associate degree in nursing, or ADN, is a two-year program offered by community colleges and some four-year institutions.
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This four-year degree is quickly becoming the standard for RNs. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 28% of employers require RN candidates to hold at least a BSN, and 72% strongly prefer candidates to have one. Note that if you have already completed prior college-level education, you have a few options to help you complete your BSN more quickly:
    • Accelerated BSN. Accelerated BSN programs are designed for those who already hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field for a faster route to becoming an RN.
    • RN to BSN programs. RN to BSN programs are for those who have an ADN or nursing diploma who want to pursue a BSN. This program bridges the gap between the two levels of education. These programs vary in length and structure but generally follow the same curriculum as traditional programs.

Licensure and Certification

After completing the required education, aspiring RNs need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), a standardized examination for the licensing of nurses. Some states will also require further credentialing or documentation, such as a criminal background check and a one-time course in human trafficking to obtain certification.

Scope of Practice

RNs may work in diverse health care settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, and community health organizations. They perform fundamental functions of nursing such as taking vital signs, helping patients with comfort and ease of movement, changing dressing, administering medications, helping with feeding, applying catheters, and drawing blood, according to NurseJournal.org.

Collaboration

Registered nurses are integral to the health care team, delivering comprehensive and compassionate patient care. This involves working cross-functionally with other members of the nursing unit, including nursing assistants and nursing leadership.

It also includes working with administrative staff and doctors to ensure patient information is complete and treatment is delivered as effectively as possible.

Specialization

Registered nurses can specialize in various areas such as pediatrics, critical care, oncology, or mental health, among others. Depending on what area you want to specialize in, you should pursue the certifications needed for that area of expertise.

For example, RNs interested in specializing in oncology may consider obtaining additional certifications such as the Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) or the Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS), both provided by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC).

What Is a Nurse Practitioner?

A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has completed advanced education and clinical training beyond the requirements for an RN. NPs are highly trained health care professionals with the expertise to provide comprehensive health care services, including diagnosing and managing various medical conditions.

Key characteristics and responsibilities of nurse practitioners include the following.

Nurse Practitioner Advanced Education:

In order to become a nurse practitioner, you’ll need a graduate-level nursing degree. NPs typically hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), an advanced graduate degree that helps prepare nursing professionals to take the next step in their careers. MSN degrees prepare prospective NPs to provide a higher level of care, enter nursing leadership roles, get more professional autonomy, and expand their overall nursing skill set.

Nurse practitioners also may hold higher degrees, up to and including terminal degrees like the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Ph.D. in Nursing. This advanced education equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to take on more specialized and independent roles in health care. Know that the MSN is the degree needed and NP is the role; that terminology is not interchangeable.

Both the master’s and doctorate degree levels also allow NPs to specialize their practice based on their professional interests and the populations they hope to serve. During your degree program, you’ll likely have the opportunity to choose a specialization, such as family nurse practitioner (FNP), psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PHMNP), or adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP), among others.

NPs also have the option of earning a general MSN or DNP degree and then pursuing separate graduate-level certification, such as a Post-Master's Certificate, to fill out their education and enter a specialization later in their careers.

Licensure and Certification

NPs must be licensed as registered nurses and obtain additional certification in their chosen specialty. Organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) often grant certification.

Please note that licensing regulations and requirements differ depending on factors like your state and specialization.

Expanded Scope of Practice

NPs have an expanded scope of practice compared to registered nurses. They are authorized to assess, diagnose, and treat various health conditions. Additionally, NPs can prescribe medications, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and provide primary and specialty care services.

In many states, nurse practitioners have a level of autonomy to be considered primary care providers, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Patient-Centered Care

NPs often focus on holistic and patient-centered care, considering not only the physical aspects of health but also the emotional and social aspects. They may work in various health care settings, including primary care clinics, hospitals, specialty practices, and community health centers.

Collaboration and Autonomy

NPs collaborate with other health care professionals and have more autonomy in decision-making than registered nurses. This autonomy allows them to provide more independent care to patients. Your level of autonomy may vary depending on the state in which you practice. The states that currently allow NPs to practice with full autonomy include the following:

Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming

Specialization

As discussed above, NPs can specialize in various areas, such as family health, pediatrics, adult gerontology, women's health, mental health, and acute care. This specialization enables them to focus on specific patient populations or medical conditions.

Specialization may occur as part of your initial graduate education during an MSN or DNP program, or you may choose to pursue specialization or pivot to a new specialization by earning graduate-level certificates later in your career.

Registered Nurse vs. Nurse Practitioner: Salary and Job Outlook

The differences in the required education, level of autonomy, and responsibility level also come into play when looking at median salaries for the two roles. However, both positions have a growth outlook, showing that the roles are in demand.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs and NPs both have median salaries that far exceed the national average for all careers of about $46,000. Both also exceed the average projected growth rate for all careers of just 3%. In both salary and projected growth, the NP career path looks to outperform the RN path significantly, due to the high demand for nurse leaders, the higher educational requirements, and the increase in autonomy and function.

Here’s how the two careers stack up against each other according to the data.

Registered Nurse Salary and Growth:

Median Salary: $81,220

Projected Growth: 6% (faster than average)

Nurse Practitioner Salary and Growth:

Median Salary: $125,900

Projected Growth: 38% (much faster than average)

Is an NP Higher Than an RN?

Nurse practitioners and registered nurses both fill important roles in our health care system, providing excellent care and treating patients during challenging times in their lives. These roles both come with their challenges and stressors, but both can be incredibly rewarding for those with a passion for making an impact through their work.

Both roles need each other to function. However, the NP role is a higher evolution of the RN role, representing the natural progression for nurses who hope to keep advancing in their careers. Because of the higher level of education, the potential for specialization, the expanded autonomy and leadership abilities, a higher level of accountability, and the additional experience, NPs are considered a higher level in the nursing profession.

Those factors all contribute to the higher pay and demand, as well. For primary care purposes, such as diagnosis, patient care, prescriptive authority, and medication management, nurse practitioners take on more responsibility, so health care employers compensate accordingly in order to get the most highly qualified professionals to help provide the best care possible.

Is It Worth It to Advance from RN to NP?

Choosing to advance your nursing career depends on a number of considerations that will change depending on the person. There are plenty of tangible benefits of becoming an NP, such as increased autonomy, higher earning potential, and expanded career opportunities. These benefits might be enough for many nursing professionals to decide it’s worth the investment to pursue further education and become an NP.

The intangible factors might make this an easy decision for nurses who would enjoy a more expansive scope of practice and patient care.

However, it is a personal decision depending on how you prefer to interact with patients and whether you think the additional education requirements are realistic for you right now. NP coursework is more intensive, focusing on advanced clinical skills and decision-making. Earning your MSN and potentially choosing a specialization demands a higher level of commitment and dedication.

Making the Right Decision for You

Consider your goals as a nurse, and you can decide whether advancing from an RN to an NP is the right move for you. What clinical settings are you interested in? Do you want to specialize in a certain field of practice? What level of autonomy are you seeking in your role?

The answers to those questions should steer you toward the role that will fit your working style and your career goals.

And if you’re ready to take your next step toward becoming an NP, consider pursuing a highly rated and recognized online Master of Science in Nursing from Norwich University.

Learn how our online MSN can help you advance your nursing career on your schedule, with 100% online coursework led by highly qualified expert nursing practitioners.

Sources

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet”

American Association of Nurse Practitioners, “Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care”

NurseJournal.org, “Nursing Scope of Practice vs. Practice Authority: What’s the Difference?”

Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, “Advanced Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS) - Renew”

Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, “Oncology Certified Nurse OCN”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Registered Nurses”