Nurse Practitioner vs. RN: What Are the Differences? December 02, 2024 - 8 minute read Like many professions, nursing has different roles, from a licensed practical nurse to a registered nurse (RN) to a nurse practitioner. Each has their own educational requirements and responsibilities. As you embark on your nursing career, you should know the difference between a nurse practitioner vs. RN and what their roles are. Regardless of which role you wish to pursue, the first step is to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Concordia University Irvine’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing(ABSN) program allows you to earn a BSN in as few as 15 months. With our specialized admissions counselors, dedicated nursing instructors, and student success counselors supporting your progress every step of the way, earning your nursing degree and pursuing a meaningful career in the healthcare field is more attainable than you might think. Get started by learning about the differences between an RN vs. NP. What Is an RN? Before we dive into the comparisons between a nurse practitioner vs. RN, you need to know what both terms mean. An RN is a registered nurse, a licensed healthcare professional who often works in hospital settings and usually serves as the main point of contact for patients. Roles, Responsibilities and Scope of Practice RNs have a broad scope of practice. They are responsible for providing patient care, from head-to-toe assessments to treatment plan development to medication/treatment administration and follow-up. While an RN’s responsibilities vary from one patient to the next, they generally do the following: Administer and monitor the effects of medications and other treatments Collect samples for diagnostic testing Develop and contribute to patient care plans along with other providers Conduct patient assessments Provide patient and family caregiver education Provide wound care Take vital signs and record symptoms, observations, and medical histories RNs often care for their patients’ mental, spiritual and emotional wellness, as well as their physical health. When a patient receives a difficult diagnosis, an RN is there to offer comfort. Nursing Specialties A nursing specialty is an area of expertise or professional focus. A registered nurse’s role and responsibilities can vary greatly from one nursing specialty to the next. Nursing specialties can be defined by patient population or medical condition, including: Bariatric nursing Critical care nursing Dialysis nursing Emergency medical flight nursing Emergency room nursing Medical-surgical nursing Women’s health Pediatric nursing Explore the top 10 benefits of pursuing a career in nursing. What Is a Nurse Practitioner? Now that you know what an RN is and what they do, note how the role of an RN differs from that of a nurse practitioner (NP). First, you should know that all NPs are licensed RNs. They then pursue advanced education and training to obtain the necessary credentials to become board-certified nurse practitioners. Roles, Responsibilities and Scope of Practice NPs are nurse leaders who uphold high standards of patient care and safety. Nurse practitioners have an advanced scope of practice and are able to take on more responsibilities compared to RNs. For example, an NP may serve as a primary care provider. In some states, they are allowed to run their own medical offices. Unlike RNs, who can administer medications but not prescribe them, NPs have prescribing authority in all 50 states, although some states limit it, such as by requiring physician supervision. Because nurse practitioners can deliver patient care with greater autonomy than RNs, NPs can help address the shortage of qualified doctors in underserved areas. NPs can perform a wide range of tasks, including the following: Delivering patient and family caregiver education Delivering primary care Developing treatment plans Diagnosing injuries, illnesses, and infections Ordering diagnostic tests and interpreting the results Performing in-office treatments Nursing Specializations Just like RNs, NPs can specialize in an area of nursing that interests them. There are multiple types of nurse practitioners, including: Adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) Family nurse practitioner (FNP) Neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) Pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) Psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP) Women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP) RN vs. NP: Career Requirements Now that you know the differences between a nurse practitioner vs. RN in terms of their roles and responsibilities, you may be wondering about the career pathway. Requirements to Become an RN The first step toward becoming an RN is to earn a nursing degree. It’s possible to become an RN with just an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). However, this degree doesn’t provide a foundation for graduate-level nursing education. Furthermore, employers generally prefer to hire nurses who have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), as BSN-prepared nurses are better prepared to contribute to better patient outcomes. It isn’t always necessary to earn a four-year nursing degree, however. Concordia University Irvine’s ABSN program can allow you to leverage your prior non-nursing college education to earn a BSN in as few as 15 months. After completing your nursing degree, the next step is to obtain your nursing license by passing the NCLEX® board exam. Once you earn your license, you’ll be ready to pursue your first nursing job. RNs, especially new RNs who wish to eventually become NPs, can benefit from refining both clinical and soft skills. Some important ones include: Attention to detail Bedside manner Communication skills IV insertion Medication administration Patient assessments Patient education Teamwork Technology skills (e.g., electronic health records) Time management Learn more about the 5 steps to become an RN. Requirements to Become an NP Once you’re an RN, you’ll need to gain at least a few years of clinical experience before pursuing the career pathway of a nurse practitioner. It starts with a graduate degree in nursing. You must earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to become an NP. At Concordia University Irvine, you can earn an MSN through the Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner program. This 36-month program prepares graduate students to holistically treat and promote the health and well-being of patients across the lifespan. After completing your graduate degree, you’ll need to pass a board certification exam in your specialty area. Then, you can obtain licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). (An NP is a type of APRN.) An NP needs all the skills and competencies of an RN. Other essential skills and qualities include: Advanced clinical knowledge Diagnostics Firm commitment to professional ethics Leadership Lifelong learner Pharmacology Career Opportunities in Nursing No matter where your nursing career takes you, there are plenty of opportunities to consider. Career Opportunities and Advancement for RNs As an RN, you can choose from a wide range of nursing specialties (see above). You can also choose from various workplace settings, including: Hospitals Home health agencies Hospice agencies Schools Community health centers Doctor’s offices Outpatient surgery centers RNs may decide to add to their credentials in order to pursue career advancement. As an alternative to a career as an NP, you might consider becoming a different type of APRN, such as: Clinical nurse specialist Certified nurse-midwife Certified registered nurse anesthetist Or, you might take a route away from patient care, such as by becoming a nurse manager. Career Opportunities and Advancement for NPs NPs can similarly choose from a range of specialties and workplace settings, including hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and public health departments. In some states, NPs can run their own medical offices and serve as primary care providers. While many NPs may decide to work in that capacity for the rest of their career, others might pursue advancement into management and administration. For instance, an NP might choose to become a nurse administrator or nurse executive. How Concordia University Irvine Can Propel Your Nursing Career Whether you want to work as an RN or pursue the NP path, you can start at Concordia University Irvine. Our ABSN program serves as a critical step toward becoming an RN, which can provide the foundation for advancing to a role as a nurse practitioner. During our ABSN program, you’ll work through rigorous coursework that teaches core concepts in nursing theories (choose from online or in-person classes). You’ll also learn nursing skills and clinical judgment during in-person labs, and you’ll complete clinical rotations at area healthcare facilities to gain real-world experience. As a Christian school, Concordia University Irvine encourages our nursing students to uphold Christian values and deliver compassionate care, with a strong emphasis on professional ethics and evidence-based practice. Begin Your Journey in Nursing Today No matter where your nursing career takes you, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to build a solid foundation for your future at Concordia University Irvine. We graduate compassionate, caring, and competent nurses prepared to tackle modern challenges in healthcare and who always prioritize their patients’ safety and wellness — body, mind, and spirit. Begin your journey today. Contact a specialized admissions counselor to learn how to get started. Facebook Twitter Email