RN vs NP: What's the Difference Between a Registered Nurse and a Nurse Practitioner?

For those who prefer an altruistic career, there are a few choices. Teacher, doctor, scientist, charity worker, or nurse, just to name a few. Becoming a nurse is an excellent way to make a difference in people's lives by caring for the sick, infirm, and unwell. However, there are a few different types of nurses, and you might be unsure about the difference between them. In this helpful article, we'll discuss the difference between a registered nurse (RN) and a nurse practitioner (NP). We'll cover the differences in job duties, education requirements, career opportunities, and the different work environments, so continue reading to learn more about this topic.

What is a Registered Nurse?

A registered nurse provides key care and treatment for patients in a medical setting such as a hospital or doctor's surgery. An RN assists a doctor and other healthcare employees in various healthcare environments. RNs are found everywhere, from the operating theater to a doctor's office or other community settings, and are often the first healthcare employee a patient sees when they present for treatment.

What do RNs Do?

Registered nurses will listen closely to patients, take vital health information such as blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rates, collect samples for pathology analysis, and write down patient information as case notes. Additionally, they monitor health equipment, administer medicine and therapies, and work in collaboration with a physician or NP. They also have other duties, such as educating patients, assisting with managing and navigating their treatment and working in a variety of administrative, managerial, and executive positions after some work experience in direct practice. Registered nurses are not able to prescribe medication or order tests for patients.

In terms of qualifications, an RN requires an Associate's (ADN) or Bachelor's (BSN) degree in nursing as the baseline degree. Then, the RN needs to pass the NCLEX-RN Examination and obtain a license issued by a state board of nursing to provide patient care.

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A nurse practitioner is still a nurse but is a registered nurse who has undertaken an advanced, graduate-level qualification in order to perform specific duties that a physician traditionally performs.

What Does an NP Do?

The job of an NP is to work collaboratively and closely with the healthcare team while seeing and assessing patients. They are also responsible for ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, such as blood tests or ultrasounds, as well as diagnosing a condition and creating a plan of treatment. NPs can also help patients manage chronic conditions and make adjustments to treatment plans accordingly for the patient. 

An NP can also write prescriptions, order and interpret tests such as blood tests and X-rays, perform basic procedures such as suturing wounds and conducting biopsies, and have other skills depending on the area in which they work.

How Does an RN Become an NP?

To make the move from RN to NP, RN to NP programs online focus on developing the advanced clinical skills a registered nurse needs in order to transition into an NP role. Some states may also require a certain amount of practice hours for both roles. Let's dive into some more educational requirements for RNs and NPs.

Additional Information on Education for Nurses

In order to become either an RN or NP, nursing students will undergo a certain amount of clinical training as well. Registered nurses usually need to clock up at least 400 hours of direct clinical experience, while an NP needs 500 or more hours, depending on their state's local requirements. Registered nurses and NPs also need to undergo continuing education, complete a set amount of contact hours and undergo specific types of training to retain licensing. Local state jurisdictions will typically set the requirements for renewal. It’s always best to check your local sources for the most relevant information to you.

Registered nurses will periodically renew their state licenses per specific state requirements. Nurse practitioners also renew their state licenses and board certifications, requiring a combination of direct practice hours and continuing education contact hours.

A Specialist Summary

This helpful and informative article has covered the difference between a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner. We've covered the job duties, qualifications, and key differences between these two nursing roles. Also, we've shared key salary information about the two roles, so you've got the full picture.