Nurse Practitioner vs. Registered Nurse: Which Career Path Is Right for You?

Want to pursue a career in healthcare but torn between becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or a Registered Nurse (RN)? You're not alone! Both job roles can offer you incredible opportunities, especially when you’re working in the United States. However, NP and RN roles have their unique perks and challenges that differ completely. Hence, you must learn and understand these differences between the roles and responsibilities of a nurse practitioner and a registered nurse so that your course choice matches your skills, goals, and passions. 

Ready to explore differences between nurse practitioner vs. a registered nurse and decide which career is the perfect fit for you? Let’s find out which path leads to your dream job in healthcare!

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What Do Registered Nurses Do?

A registered nurse (RN) works with doctors and other healthcare professionals to provide patient-centered care across various hospital settings. These professionals often specialize in caring for specific populations or working in specific settings. For example, a registered nurse might specialize in caring for individuals with cardiovascular disease or working in emergency departments.

These professionals provide both direct and indirect patient care. They might also educate patients and family members about their conditions and treatments and explain at-home care tips and techniques. These professionals break down complex information into terms you and your family can easily understand.

Here is a list of the duties fulfilled by a registered nurse:

• Conduct physical exams on patients

• Record patients' medical histories and symptoms

• Record observations about patient health

• Give medications or other treatments to patients

• Assist with diagnostic tests

• Operate medical equipment to treat patients

• Work with your other healthcare providers to coordinate medical care

• Help create a customized treatment plan to guide patient care

• Educate patients and families about conditions and related treatments or management plans

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What Do Nurse Practitioners Do?

A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who provides both primary and specialized healthcare services. They are trained to perform many of the same tasks as doctors, including examining patients, diagnosing health conditions, ordering and interpreting tests, and prescribing medications. Over 60% to 90% of primary and preventive care is specifically performed by nurse practitioners.

The nurse practitioner role was originally created to address a nationwide shortage of doctors in the United States. Like doctors, nurse practitioners can examine patients, diagnose conditions, order tests, and prescribe medications to treat illnesses. They also educate and counsel patients to support their overall wellness.

Here is an overview of the duties fulfilled by professional nurse practitioners:

• Record health histories

• Perform complete physical examinations

• Diagnose and treat common acute and chronic illnesses

• Order and interpret lab tests and imaging studies

• Prescribe and manage medications and treatments

• Provide patient education and counseling to support healthy lifestyle behaviors

• Refer patients to other health professionals when needed

Read More: Nurse practitioner vs Doctor: Key differences covered

Differences Between Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses 

Although registered nurses and nurse practitioners share some common roles, they have distinct responsibilities, salaries, educational requirements, and certification processes. Here is an overview of the key differences between a registered nurse and nurse practitioner in detail: 

Roles and Responsibilities

Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, monitor conditions, administer medications, and assist with basic health needs. They follow the care plans and medical orders provided by physicians and NPs and coordinate patient care accordingly. The following table covers the primary differences between the roles and responsibilities of RNs and nurse practitioners:

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Training and Education

To become a registered nurse (RN), one must complete either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Nursing practitioners must first become registered nurses and then pursue advanced education. The primary differences between the training and education of RNs and nurse practitioners are displayed below:

Salary and Job Outlook

Knowing the salary difference between a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner is essential before learning about further differences. NPs earn significantly more than RNs due to their advanced responsibilities. The following table covers the salary differences between RNs and nurse practitioners:

Scope of Practice

Registered nurses work under the supervision of a physician or nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners, on the other hand, can perform multiple duties and have much more autonomy than registered nurses. The primary differences in the scope of practice are showcased in the table below:

Work Environment and Specialization

Both registered nurses and nurse practitioners can work in various settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, schools, and home healthcare settings. However, there are certain differences in the work environments, too, as listed in this table:

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Nurse Practitioner vs. Registered Nurse: Which is Better?

Deciding which path to choose regarding nurse practitioner vs. registered nurse can be confusing. You must consider several factors, such as education, salary, and job responsibilities, when deciding on your career path. This also involves evaluating the nursing certification and the healthcare profession in which you would excel the most. Being an RN is a great option for starting work sooner and focusing on patient care. However, becoming an NP could be the right option if you want a more autonomous role with higher earning potential.

Are you interested in pursuing a career as a registered nurse or a nurse practitioner? LearnTastic can help you achieve this goal by providing the most efficient certifications for healthcare professionals. Explore our RN courses to kickstart your nursing career. You can also pursue certifications for nurse practitioners online. 

FAQs

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

Yes, a nurse practitioner is considered at a higher level than a registered nurse because they have additional education and training. This allows them to perform more advanced practice nursing duties such as diagnosing conditions and prescribing medication to patients.

2. How long does it take to go from RN to NP?

For nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), an RN-to-NP program requires at least two years of full-time study. Part-time programs are also available but take longer to complete. Most RN-to-NP programs strongly prefer at least two years of experience as a registered nurse. If you have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), the path from RN to NP may take an additional 1-2 years.

3. Is a PA higher than an NP?

A Physician Assistant (PA) is generally considered to be on a similar level as a Nurse Practitioner (NP). Both professionals are regarded as advanced practice providers who work under the supervision of a physician, so neither position is definitively "higher" than the other. 

4. Is it worth it to go from RN to NP?

Several nurses have moved from registered nurses to nurse practitioners to experience more professional autonomy. This transition also allows professionals to diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and act as primary care providers. They usually enjoy more flexibility and autonomy. Hence, going from RN to NP in the long run is worth it.

References

1. https://nursejournal.org/registered-nursing/how-to-go-from-rn-to-np/

2. https://radiusstaffingsolutions.com/choose-between-registered-nurse-or-nurse-practitioner/

3. https://www.regiscollege.edu/blog/nursing/registered-nurse-vs-nurse-practitioner-whats-difference

4. https://onlinedegrees.bradley.edu/blog/nurse-practitioner-vs-registered-nurse