Registered Nurse vs. Nurse Practitioner: Choosing Your Nursing Career Path

If you are seeking a more rewarding career, becoming a nurse is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a growing profession.

The demand for all types of nurses continues to increase, from entry-level to advanced practice.

By 2032, researchers estimate a shortfall of 328,100 registered nurses (RNs) and 33,800 nurse practitioners (NPs), partly due to nurse retirements. More nurses are needed to fill this critical gap in health care.

At the same time, the population of aging adults is growing. Between 1920 and 2020, the number of people aged 65 and over grew at almost five times the rate of the total population. This trend is increasing the need for health care services and the nurses required to deliver that care. 

Nursing is also one of the most respected professions in the country, having topped Gallup’s list of the most trusted professions for 23 consecutive years.

The nursing profession has many career paths, and this blog post will introduce you to two of the most sought-after: registered nurse (RN) and nurse practitioner (NP).

Understanding the roles of registered nurse vs. nurse practitioner can help you choose the path that best aligns with your interests and nursing career goals.

 

What Is the Difference Between Registered Nurse vs. Nurse Practitioner Roles?

RNs and NPs are licensed health care professionals focused on direct patient care, supporting people on some of the most rewarding and challenging days of their lives.

Both are essential in improving patient outcomes and access to quality care, but there are key differences, including:

	Registered Nurse	Nurse Practitioner
Scope of Practice	RNs are licensed health care professionals who provide and coordinate patient care as part of interdisciplinary health care teams, under the supervision of another health care provider.	NPs are licensed, independent health care practitioners prepared to diagnose and treat patients autonomously and collaboratively. They also emphasize health promotion, disease prevention and health education and counseling.
Clinical Specialization	RNs can work across health care specialties and may obtain specialty certifications to demonstrate their knowledge and training.	NPs practice within a defined specialty area, such as family medicine or pediatrics.
Work Environments	Most RNs work in hospitals, but can also work in many other health care settings.	NPs work in a variety of clinical and professional settings, including private practice ownership (where state rules and regulations allow).
Job Outlook	The demand for RNs is above average, with 5 percent projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.	The demand for NPs is tremendous—40 percent projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
Median Salary	The median RN salary is $93,600.	The median NP salary is $129,210.
Education Requirements	Licensed RNs typically hold a baccalaureate-level nursing degree or higher, and must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).	Licensed NPs are RNs with a graduate-level nursing degree focused on an NP specialty, and must pass a national NP certification exam.
Professional Licensure	RNs are licensed by the state in which they practice.	NPs are licensed by the state in which they practice.

Exploring these differences more closely can help you plan for your nursing career.

 

What Is a Registered Nurse?

RNs make up the largest health care profession in the country, with nearly 4.7 million practicing nationwide. They support patient care across diverse health care settings and have a bright career outlook.

 

What is the Registered Nurse Scope of Practice?

The RN scope of practice is defined by the rules and regulations of the state in which RNs work.

Generally, RNs assess, monitor and treat patients as part of a collaborative health care team, with oversight from nurse managers, APRNs or physicians. They also educate, support and advocate for patients and their loved ones.

 

What Are Registered Nurse Job Duties?

RN job duties depend on the practice setting and patient population. For example, an emergency room (ER) nurse and a school nurse both hold RN licensure but have different day-to-day responsibilities.

The core job duties of all RNs include:

• Performing physical exams
• Recording health histories and symptoms
• Providing health promotion, counseling and education
• Administering medications and other personalized interventions
• Coordinating treatment plans and care with other health care professionals 
• Operating and monitoring medical equipment

 

Where Do Registered Nurses Work?

While RNs work in many health care settings, approximately 2 in 3 practice in hospitals.

Other large employers of RNs are:

• Physician offices
• Home health care
• Outpatient care centers

RN shifts occur around the clock in settings that provide 24/7 care, such as hospitals. RNs work regular business hours in offices, schools and ambulatory health care.

 

What Is the Job Outlook and Salary for Registered Nurses?

RNs have above-average job demand and strong earning potential:

• Employment: Between 2024 and 2034, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects faster-than-average employment growth, resulting in an average of 189,100 job openings per year over the decade. Behind this demand are the health care needs of the growing aging population and the rising prevalence of chronic disease.
• Salary: RNs earn a median salary of $93,600, with the highest earnings reported in government ($106,480) and hospital ($97,260) settings.

 

What Are the Education Requirements for Registered Nurses?

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the level of RN education preferred by major nursing organizations and health care groups, as well as many health care employers. Some individuals become an RN through an associate degree or diploma nursing program, however, evidence shows improved patient outcomes when nurses have a BSN degree.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline, the most efficient pathway to a nursing career is through these accelerated nursing degrees:

• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs enable you to earn a BSN in 12 to 18 months.
• Direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs allow you to earn an MSN in approximately 16 to 24 months.

Both degrees will prepare you for the NCLEX-RN and RN licensure faster than a traditional four-year BSN program by building on your prior bachelor’s degree.

Direct-entry MSN programs also open doors to nursing leadership and a faster pathway to advanced practice by combining RN preparation with graduate-level nursing education.

Whichever degree you choose, you will need to pass the NCLEX-RN and then obtain RN licensure from the state where you will practice.

 

What Is a Nurse Practitioner?

Recognized among the top health care jobs in the country, NPs provide advanced patient care within a defined specialty area. The role offers opportunities for greater clinical autonomy, clinical specialization, and strong career demand.

 

What is the Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice?

NPs are one type of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating primary and acute health conditions, preventing disease, and managing patients’ ongoing health needs. NPs have a population foci that defines their scope such as primary care for adult-gerontology, acute care pediatrics or psychiatric-mental health across the lifespan.

State rules and regulations define the scope of practice for NPs. In addition to defining the scope, each state varies on whether NPs are permitted to practice independently or whether they require physician supervision or collaboration. 

NPs have full practice authority in 27 states and Washington, D.C., allowing them to practice to the full extent of their education and training. This means they can work as independent practitioners without physician oversight.

The other states require NPs to have physician supervision, collaboration or oversight for certain aspects of patient care. Depending on the state, these restrictions may limit an NP’s ability to:

• Independently prescribe medications
• Open or operate a private practice
• Perform certain procedures
• Make fully independent clinical decisions

Regardless of the state practice environment, NPs are prepared with a broader scope of practice than RNs.

 

What Are Nurse Practitioner Job Duties?

NP job duties vary depending on the specialty area, which include:

• Adult/Gerontology (primary or acute)
• Family/Individual Across the Lifespan
• Neonatal
• Pediatrics (primary or acute)
• Psychiatric/Mental Health
• Women's Health/Gender Related

For example, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) job duties include providing psychotherapy, while family nurse practitioners (FNP) manage chronic conditions for patients across the lifespan.

Regardless of specialty, NPs are prepared to:

• Assess patients
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests
• Make diagnoses
• Develop and manage treatment plans
• Prescribe medication
• Collaborate with members of the healthcare team 

 

Where Do Nurse Practitioners Work?

NPs work in many clinical and professional settings, from hospitals, schools and correctional facilities to community health centers, emergency departments and urgent care facilities.

In the 27 states with full practice authority, NPs can also own and operate private practices.

Work schedules vary by setting, with some NPs working traditional business hours and others working nights or weekends.

 

What Is the Job Outlook and Salary for Nurse Practitioners?

A positive employment outlook has helped the NP role earn recognition from U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 Best Job, No. 1 Health Care Job and No. 1 STEM Job in America for the third consecutive year:

• Employment: The BLS expects NP employment to grow by 40 percent from 2024 to 2034, more than 13 times the average rate. The aging population and the growing prevalence of chronic disease are the main drivers of this tremendous demand.
• Salary: NPs earn a median salary of $129,210, with the highest earning potential in hospitals, outpatient care centers and educational services.

 

What Are the Education Requirements for Nurse Practitioners?

NPs have advanced clinical education beyond their initial RN preparation. They must be an RN with either a BSN or direct entry MSN as well as an NP-focused graduate degree (MSN, DNP or post-graduate certificate).

For individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, there are two distinct pathways to meet these criteria:

• Start with an ABSN Program: Complete an ABSN program, become a licensed RN, and then complete an NP-focused master’s or doctoral nursing program (3 to 4 years total).
• Start with a Direct-entry MSN Program: Complete a direct-entry MSN program, become a licensed RN, and then complete a post-master’s NP certificate program (2.5 to 3 years total).

Pursuing a direct-entry MSN can be one of the fastest and most cost-effective routes to future NP practice.

After completing your NP education, you will also need to pass a national NP certification exam and obtain state NP licensure.

 

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

The right nursing role for you aligns with your clinical interests, desired level of autonomy, and long-term nursing career goals. These questions can help you evaluate registered nurse vs. nurse practitioner fit.

 

Do You Want to Practice in a Specialty Area of Nursing?

Your interest in clinical specialization may influence whether the RN or NP role is the better fit:

• RN: RNs are nursing generalists who can typically move between clinical specialties without additional certification. Though some RNs do obtain certifications to demonstrate specialized knowledge and training. If you value the flexibility to work with different patient populations during your career, the RN role may offer greater mobility.
• NP: NPs are educated, certified and licensed to practice in a specialty area. You may want to consider the NP role to develop clinical expertise in a specific area of nursing practice. 

 

What Is Your Desired Level of Clinical Leadership and Autonomy?

Your desired level of clinical leadership and autonomy can help determine whether the RN or NP role is the right fit for you:

• RN: Do you want to focus on implementing, monitoring and coordinating care within a health care team? If so, the RN role offers a highly rewarding nursing career.
• NP: NPs are prepared for a broader scope of practice, which can include diagnosing health conditions, creating treatment plans, prescribing medications, and owning and operating a private practice (where states allow it). So, this role is ideal for those seeking greater career autonomy and clinical responsibility. 

 

How Far Do You Want to Advance In Nursing?

Another important question when considering the registered nurse vs. nurse practitioner is how far you may want to advance:

• Practicing as an RN for your entire nursing career; or
• Starting your nursing career as an RN and pursuing advanced practice nursing or nursing leadership later on.

If the latter scenario interests you—and you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree—pursuing a direct-entry MSN program can offer a streamlined path from RN to NP.

Direct-entry MSN programs:

• Combine pre-licensure nursing coursework with graduate-level nursing coursework
• Allow you to sit for the NCLEX-RN by entering the profession with a MSN 
• Prepare graduates for more advanced nurse leadership positions than RNs and future post-master’s NP certificate programs

 

What Are Your Salary Goals?

When deciding between registered nurse vs. nurse practitioner, consider your desired earning potential and the level of educational investment you are willing to make.

NPs typically earn higher salaries than RNs because of their advanced education, scope of practice and clinical responsibility.

Becoming an NP also requires additional time and tuition costs. Yet, for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, a direct-entry MSN program can provide a cost-effective foundation for future NP education.

 

When Do You Want to Begin Graduate Nursing Education?

Your preferred timeline for graduate nursing education may also influence whether the RN or NP role is the best fit.

For career changers with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, evaluating accelerated BSN vs. MSN pathways can help clarify when you want to begin graduate nursing education:

• ABSN: Pursuing an ABSN will help you become an RN in a condensed timeframe and later pursue graduate nursing education if you decide to become an NP. 
• Direct-entry MSN: Earning a direct-entry MSN will also prepare you for RN licensure in a condensed timeframe while allowing you to complete graduate-level nursing education earlier in your nursing career. As a graduate, you can pursue a post-master’s NP certificate to transition into the NP role.

 

Transition to a Nursing Career as an RN or NP

When you become an RN or NP, you can make a valuable impact through patient care in a high-demand nursing career with long-term professional growth.

At Elmhurst University, individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree can become a nurse online through our accelerated BSN and MSN programs:

• Transition to the career you want with Elmhurst’s online ABSN to earn a BSN in just 16 months; or
• Fast track directly to an MSN in just 20 months with Elmhurst’s online Master’s Entry in Nursing Program (MENP) program. You will prepare to sit for the NCLEX-RN and clinical nurse leader (CNL) certification exam, which can be a bridge to a post-master’s NP certificate later on.

Both programs are CCNE-accredited and feature online coursework, in-person clinical experiences and hands-on simulation training to equip you for your new role as an RN.

Request a comprehensive digital program guide and get started today.