Due to the expanding U.S. patient population and other key factors, the health care system faces an increasing demand for nursing professionals. However, the level of education and experience nurses possess helps determine how effective they can be. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can handle the most basic nursing duties, but registered nurses (RNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) can take on more advanced responsibilities.

Comparing the educational requirements and duties of a nurse practitioner vs. RN can help practicing RNs determine whether they should pursue a postgraduate degree and nurse practitioner certification. Additionally, they may want to examine the salary potential and job outlook for the two roles.

Nurse practitioners and RNs both have the same goal, which is to provide health care services that help ensure optimal patient outcomes. However, the roles and responsibilities of each are quite different. RNs are often the first point of contact for patients and typically provide basic primary care, while NPs have a more advanced and/or specialized role in patient care.

Registered nurses are the most populous group of nursing professionals. They collaborate with other health care professionals, such as doctors, to assess patients and implement treatment strategies. Their services are necessary in most fields of medicine, as they are taught how to administer many of the basic health services that patients receive in medical facilities. RN responsibilities include:

• Recording symptoms and updating patient records
• Closely monitoring patients and recording observations
• Administering treatments per the instruction of the presiding physician or NP
• Helping physicians or NPs perform diagnostic tests
• Consulting with the families of patients about how to manage health care challenges

Registered nurses can specialize in a variety of fields such as addiction nursing, cardiovascular nursing, critical care nursing, or public health nursing.

An advanced practice registered nurse, or APRN, is a who operates at a higher level of nursing and provides specialized care to their patients. Advanced practice nursing encompasses a few different branches:

• Nurse midwives provide different types of advanced care to women, including gynecological exams, family planning services, and pre- or postnatal care.
• Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia to patients before, during, and after a surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, or obstetrical procedure.
• Clinical nurse specialists diagnose, treat, and provide ongoing health care management to a broad demographic of patients. Additionally, they serve as advocates for change and a key resource of information for RNs within their respective organizations.
• Nurse practitioners provide primary and specialty care to patients. They are often trained to administer advanced nursing services to a specific patient population such as children or individuals with mental health issues.

A nurse practitioner is statistically most likely to specialize in primary care. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, approximately 70% of all NPs deliver primary care services to a broad patient base. However, there are several specialty paths that a nurse practitioner may pursue.

Although midwives and anesthetists have a relatively straightforward career path, nurse practitioners have a wide range of options for where they can take their education and careers. Many postgraduate nursing programs offer the option to concentrate on a particular patient demographic or branch of medicine. The following are some of the typical career specializations offered to nurse practitioners.

• Pediatric nurse practitioners provide advanced nursing care to patients between infancy and early adulthood. They perform routine checkups, conduct diagnostic tests, and prescribe medication. Usually, they work alongside pediatricians to achieve positive health outcomes, but some are qualified to practice privately.
• Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners treat adult patients, ranging from young adults to the elderly. They may also choose to focus their careers on either primary or acute care. Primary care adult-gerontology nurse practitioners provide primary care services that aim to further objectives like health promotion, disease prevention, patient education, and health maintenance. Acute specialists focus on helping solve health problems that demand immediate attention such as bone injuries or acute illnesses like influenza.
• Family nurse practitioners are versatile in that they are trained to administer care to patients of all ages. Depending on their educational background and the state in which they practice, they may also be qualified to provide primary care to patients without direct physician oversight. Some of their common responsibilities include performing routine checkups for families, developing treatment plans for acute and chronic diseases, and educating patients about how to prevent disease and pursue a healthier lifestyle.
• Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners specialize in providing mental health care. The types of treatments offered to mental health patients are often different from the ones provided to patients with physical illnesses. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners focus their postgraduate studies on learning how to develop and administer mental health interventions based on their patients’ needs.

Another crucial contrast between nurse practitioners and RNs is their educational backgrounds. The first step toward becoming a registered nurse is usually earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Either degree will qualify prospective RNs to take the NCLEX-RN exam, which is required for registered nurse licensure. Prior to applying for licensure, graduates may benefit from obtaining one to two years of experience working in a health care-related role.

Following their certification as registered nurses, these professionals can pursue becoming nurse practitioners. This requires earning at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), although a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) can open the door to more rewarding career opportunities. Programs for both degrees typically offer students the option to concentrate their studies on the area of nursing they wish to specialize in.

This is an important feature of advanced nursing education because nurse practitioner candidates need to pass a specific nurse practitioner exam. The test covers the techniques and theories that are prominently used in their desired field of practice. Passing the exam meets the eligibility requirement nursing professionals need to apply for state licensure. Once licensure is obtained, they are qualified to begin practicing as nurse practitioners.

Registered nurses are important professionals in the health care community, but nurse practitioners provide specialized services that RNs are not trained to deliver. When comparing nurse practitioners vs. RNs, salary is a noteworthy factor differentiating the two roles, largely because of the disparity between their skill sets.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs earned a median annual salary of $77,600 in 2021, while NPs made approximately $120,680.

In addition to the differences in salary, the BLS reports a significant disparity in terms of the job outlook for each role. Job opportunities for RNs are projected to grow by 6% through 2031, which is about as fast as the national average for all occupations. By comparison, job opportunities for nurse practitioners are projected to grow by 46% during the same period.

Although the educational path is shorter for an RN, the salary potential and strong demand for NPs in any specialty make it a career worth serious consideration. The demand for specialized health care has made the job market more advantageous to health care workers who hold an advanced degree.

Nursing is a challenging but rewarding career with many opportunities for both NPs and RNs. While both play a crucial role in health care, NPs are able to operate in numerous specialty fields, which means candidates may be able to shape their careers around a branch of medicine or patient demographic of their choosing.

The bottom line for many nurses comparing nurse practitioner vs. RN roles is that NPs enjoy a higher ceiling in terms of career development, leadership roles, and earnings potential.

The first step to becoming an NP is to pursue an advanced education. Regis College offers an online BSN to DNP degree that provides career-minded students a curriculum that will prepare them for nursing success. It offers the following nurse practitioner concentrations:

• Pediatrics
• Family
• Psychiatric Mental Health
• Women’s Health
• Adult-Gerontology – Primary Care
• Adult-Gerontology – Acute Care

Learn how the program can enhance your knowledge of patient care, policies and procedures, and research methods, preparing you for leadership opportunities in your chosen specialization.