Nurse Vs. Nurse Practitioner

The main differences between nurses and nurse practitioners are:

• Education: A nurse can work after passing the NCLEX exam and becoming licensed, while a nurse practitioner needs to complete an MSN or DNP degree as well.

• Salary: Nurse practitioners earn about 50% more than registered nurses.

• Patient Care: NPs have far more freedom and authority to make decisions around patient care, such as describing treatments, tests, and medications than registered nurses.

If you’re a current or prospective healthcare worker, you might be wondering what the difference between a Nurse and a Nurse Practitioner (NPs) is. After all, even though both positions essentially have the same title, each represents a different stage in someone’s nursing career.

That means different education requirements, different tasks, and different levels of authority.

For example, while an NP is often able to prescribe medicine with the approval of a physician, a Registered Nurse can only recommend medication but not prescribe it.

Overall, to find out more about all of the important differences between Nurses and NPs, this article will dive into everything you need to know.

What Is a Nurse?

A Nurse, or Registered Nurse (RN), is a popular healthcare role in the U.S. These professionals can work in hospitals, clinics, and many other facilities, as they specialize in patient care. This care includes regularly checking in with patients, ensuring prescriptions aren’t causing negative side effects or interacting with each other and preparing patients for treatment.

In essence, a nurse is a crucial communication and care bridge between a patient and their doctor.

Some common tasks a Nurse would be responsible for include:

• Conducting physical exams

• Checking a patient’s vital signs

• Recording health care histories

• Listening to a patient describe their emotional and physical needs

• Providing health care education to patients

• Communicating with doctors and other health care specialists

• Drawing blood and performing other tests

As mentioned, Nurses also commonly work in settings outside of hospitals as well. For instance, there are Nurses in Senior Retirement Communities, Group Homes, and Schools. This is because a Nurse’s interpersonal work with patients can cover a wide breadth of settings and specialties.

What Requirements Does Nursing Have?

Unlike other healthcare professions, many Nurses can start working with a Bachelor’s degree or even an Associate’s degree. Of course, the ability to start working will still depend on passing tests and acquiring the proper licenses and certifications.

Usually, a Nurse will start their career path by choosing a Nursing Program. These programs can last anywhere from 16 months to four years and will culminate in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Afterward, the prospective Nurse will need to pass the NCLEX exam to conclude their undergraduate education.

Additionally, depending on the state, a Nurse will also require a specific state license and certifications to practice. To learn more about what kinds of licenses are required to practice in your state, it’s important to visit your state’s website.

What Is a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse Practitioners, or NPs, are professional healthcare workers who serve a vital role in hospitals, clinics, and other facilities. Generally speaking, NPs work with patients to help them stay healthy and may pursue certain specialties.

This profession typically involves a more intimate connection with patients, so interpersonal skills are a must. In fact, one of the biggest traits that set NPs apart from other health care providers is an emphasis on the health and well-being of their patients.

Essential focuses for NPs are often health promotion, disease prevention, and health education and counseling. With that in mind, NPs really do play a crucial role in helping their patients make better health and lifestyle choices.

And as mentioned, many NPs also pursue a variety of specializations. Some of the most common of these specializations include:

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Similar to a physician, FNPs provide primary care and education for patients. They also typically collaborate with several other health care professionals.

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP). These professionals work with a wide age range of patients to assess, diagnose and plan for their specific health needs.

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP). AGACNPs work specifically with adults and specialize in diseases, ailments, and illnesses that are life-threatening and worsen with age.

• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP). These specialists generally work in hospitals and focus on treating children from birth through transition to adulthood. They often work with families and other healthcare professionals.

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). PMHNPs specialize in assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with psychiatric disorders. As such, it’s common for these professionals to work in psychiatric facilities, correctional facilities, and other locations with a focus on mental health treatment.

• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP). As the name might suggest, WHNPs specializes in women’s health. They usually work with women of all ages, providing gynecological treatments, prenatal services, and other forms of care.

What Requirements Does Nurse Practioner Have?

NPs serve a vital role in the lives of their patients, which is why it’s imperative for them to obtain the proper education requirements and certifications.

Typically, an NP might need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), followed by an MSN or DNP-NP degree. Both Master’s degrees can help you become a better communicator, give you a better understanding of ethics, and allow you to become a more thoughtful and inspiring leader. In general, here are the definitions of each degree:

• MSN Degree: a graduate degree that will allow you to learn specialized knowledge and further your skills. Other examples of careers you can pursue with an MSN degree include nurse administrator, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse educator.

• DNP-NP Degree: a doctoral program that allows you to learn the leadership skills required for advanced nursing roles. One of the most common jobs taken by those who achieve a DNP is Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

Additionally, depending on the state, NPs will also require specific licenses to practice. Even with the best education, an NP won’t be able to work in a facility without these licenses. If you want to learn more about what kinds of licenses are required to practice in your state, it’s important to visit your state’s website.

What Are Some Differences Between Nurses and Nurse Practitioners?

There are a few crucial differences between Nurses and Nurse Practitioners that can help you determine which career you want to pursue. Here are those differences outlined:

1. Requirements

   While we’ve already mentioned the requirements for both careers, it’s important to note the key differences between those requirements. While both require you to go to nursing school to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Registered Nurses will be able to start their careers shortly after, while Nurse Practitioners will still need to further their education.

   After taking the NCLEX exam and acquiring the proper licenses, a Nurse will be able to start their career.

   However, NP students will need to pursue either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. From start to finish, all of these degrees will likely take between six and eight years. On the other hand, the Registered Nurse could likely complete their education in only two to four years.

2. Salary and Job Outlook

   NPs and Nurses have different average salaries in the U.S., in part due to the difference in education requirements. For example:

   • Registered Nurse: The average RN in the U.S. earns $72,000 per year ($34.63 per hour). Nurses in the 90th percentile can earn up to $110,000, while Nurses in the 10th percentile might earn only $46,000. Within the next decade, this career is expected to grow by at least 16%.

   • Nurse Practitioner: The average NP in the U.S. earns $104,000 per year ($50.18 per hour). NPs in the 90th percentile can earn up to $141,000, while NPs in the 10th percentile might earn only $77,000. Between 2019 and 2029, the career is expected to grow by at least 45%.

   With those differences in mind, the biggest takeaways are that NPs earn a higher salary than Nurses and offer higher job growth, but at the cost of more time and money spent on formal education. Overall though, the average NP makes 44% more per year than the average Nurse.

3. Patient Care and Responsibility

   One of the biggest differences between RNs and NPs is the level of involvement with patients, as well as the amount of responsibility for their care. Although both careers have a heavy focus on communicating with, observing, and caring for patients, NPs have far more freedom to address certain issues.

   For example, NPs can usually prescribe treatments, tests, medications, and diagnoses with the approval of a physician. While on the other hand, RNs may only treat patients with medications and remedies that have already been prescribed. It is illegal in every state for RNs to prescribe treatments and medicines.

   Ultimately, this means that NPs have far more autonomy to make decisions about their patients, as well as the responsibility that comes with those decisions. In part, the ability to make these decisions is earned through higher education and advanced training.

Nurse vs. Nurse Practioner FAQ

1. Is a nurse practitioner higher than a registered nurse?

   Yes, an NP is an advanced practice registered nurse and requires a higher level of education. More specifically, RNs can usually start working shortly after they graduate from a 16-month to four-year Nursing Program, whereas an NP will need to further their education after Nursing school.

   Overall, the average person can become an RN in two to four years, whereas the average NP will have to undergo at least six to eight years of formal education. In turn, an NP has more autonomy and responsibility on their shoulders when treating patients.

2. What can a NP do that a Nurse Cannot?

   What NPs can do that Nurses can’t do is generally prescribe treatments, tests, medications, and diagnoses. While it depends on the state, most NPs can often prescribe medication when it’s approved by a physician, while RNs are not allowed to prescribe anything in any state. The three types of state policy implemented include:

   • Full-Practice: NPs can fully evaluate and treat patients without the approval of a physician in the following states.

     (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Northern Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming).

   • Reduced-Authority: These are states where NPs can prescribe medication with physician oversight include. (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wisconsin).

   • Restricted: These are states where NPs cannot prescribe, diagnose, or treat patients without physician oversight. (California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia).

Final Thoughts

While Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners might share similar names, they are different healthcare professionals with different specialties.

In general, NPs will need to earn a Master’s or Doctorate degree to practice, while Nurses can start their careers with a Bachelor’s degree. Of course, this difference in education means NPs are granted the autonomy to prescribe medicine and other treatments under some circumstances, whereas RNs are restricted from doing the same.

However, Both NPs and RNs play a down-to-earth role in patients’ lives, which is focused on interpersonal communication, as opposed to raw data.

Overall, you can have a successful career in healthcare whether you pursue a career as an RN or an NP. Just keep in mind that the education requirements, salary, and patient care will be different depending on the career you choose.

Author

Jack Flynn

Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.