Are you an aspiring nurse? You’ll be glad to know that this career comes with good pay, various specialization options, and a chance to make a difference in other people’s lives.
To help you gain insight into your career aspirations, we’ll explain the differences (and similarities) between a registered nurse (RN) and a nurse practitioner (NP).
Our Editorial Process
This guide is written by a credentialed nurse and reviewed against source-of-truth references at least annually. RN scope and licensure information is verified against the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). NP role information is verified against the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Salary and growth figures come directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Read our full editorial standards.
RN vs NP Side-by-Side Comparison
A registered nurse (RN) and a nurse practitioner (NP) are both licensed nurses, but at different points along the nursing career path. Every NP is first an RN. The NP credential builds on RN licensure with graduate education and specialty certification, expanding scope to include diagnosis, prescribing, and (in many states) independent practice. The comparison below details where the two roles diverge.
| Dimension | Registered Nurse (RN) | Nurse Practitioner (NP) |
|---|---|---|
| Education required | ADN (2 years) or BSN (4 years) from an accredited nursing program | BSN + MSN, post-master’s certificate, or DNP (2–4 years post-BSN) |
| Total time from start to credential | 2–4 years | 6–8 years |
| Licensing exam | NCLEX-RN | NCLEX-RN (as RN) plus specialty NP board certification (ANCC, AANPCB, NCC, PNCB, AACN) |
| Scope of practice | Provide direct patient care, administer medications, monitor patients, educate patients and families, work under physician/NP orders | Diagnose conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, develop and manage treatment plans, sometimes practice independently |
| Practice authority | Always works under physician or NP orders | Full practice authority in 27 states + DC; collaborative practice in remaining states |
| National median wage | $93,600/year (BLS, May 2024) | $129,210/year (BLS, May 2024) |
| Salary differential | Baseline | +$35,000–$60,000/year over RN, plus higher upside in specialty and acute care |
| Projected job growth | 6% (2023–2033) — faster than average | 46% (2023–2033) — far faster than average |
| Specialization | RN can specialize through experience and unit assignments (ICU, ED, oncology, etc.); some specialty certifications available | Required to specialize at NP graduation (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP, PNP, etc.) |
| Career advancement upside | Charge nurse, nurse manager, clinical educator; further advancement requires additional education | Direct entry to advanced practice; further options include DNP, nurse executive, faculty roles |
| Best fit for | Those entering the nursing field, who want hands-on bedside care, or who plan to advance later | RNs who want to expand scope, autonomy, and earnings through advanced specialty training |
2026 Updates: RN vs NP Career Trajectories
- BLS data refresh (May 2024 OES). RN national median wage is now $93,600; NP national median is $129,210. The salary differential is approximately $35,000–$40,000/year, with substantial additional upside in NP specialties like PMHNP and AGACNP.
- Job growth gap is dramatic. RN employment is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033 — faster than average. NP employment is projected to grow 46% over the same period — one of the fastest-growing occupations the BLS tracks.
- RN-to-NP pathways expanding. Online MSN-NP and BSN-to-DNP programs have made the RN-to-NP transition meaningfully more accessible. Compressed pathways exist for working RNs — see our BSN-to-DNP programs guide.
- Full practice authority expansion. 27 states + DC now grant full practice authority to NPs (independent of physician oversight). The NP-RN scope-of-practice gap is widest in those states.
- Telehealth permanence. Federal and state telehealth flexibilities have made remote NP practice increasingly viable across primary care, behavioral health, and chronic-disease management. RNs are also expanding into telehealth coordination roles.
- AACN 2025 Position Statement. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reaffirmed the DNP as the preferred terminal degree for advanced practice nurses. BSN-to-DNP programs continue to expand for RNs targeting NP roles.
Registered Nurse
Registered nurses are licensed healthcare professionals who provide patient-centered care.
Responsibilities
The usual day-to-day tasks of RNs include:
- Assessing and monitoring patients
- Recording detailed medical information
- Creating, implementing, and evaluating treatment plans
- Administering medications and other treatments and observing for untoward reactions
- Drawing laboratory specimens
- Caring for wounds (cleaning and changing bandages)
- Operating medical equipment
- Coordinating patient care with other healthcare professionals
- Educating patients and relatives regarding the condition and the treatment plans
- Supervising licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and student nurses
Practice Setting
While most RNs work in hospitals and medical centers, they’re also employed in community health centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home care agencies, schools, private companies, government agencies, prisons, and the Armed Forces.
Most RNs work three 12-hour shifts a week, though those employed at schools or private companies may do the usual work week (five 8-hour shifts).
Specializations
RNs can choose to specialize in one (or several) fields, such as medical-surgical nursing, operating room nursing, oncology, pediatrics, obstetrics-gynecology, neonatology, geriatrics, ambulatory care, and aesthetics, to name a few. RNs can also opt to specialize in education or administration.
Education
Aspiring RNs must have a high school diploma or GED. From there, they can choose to work toward a 2-year Associate, which focuses on basic nursing skills. Another option is a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, which explores more than just core nursing concepts. Currently, more employers are seeking BSN-educated nurses.
Aspiring nurses also have the option to take a nursing diploma, although there are only a few schools that offer this track.
Regardless of the degree, nursing students need to complete at least 400 clinical hours in addition to the required coursework.
Licensure and Certification
After obtaining their degree, they can apply (and pass) the NCLEX-RN exam to gain licensure in the state where they intend to practice. The test consists of 75–145 questions.
RNs can also apply for a compact multi-state license that allows them to practice in 43 jurisdictions.
Nurses also have to undergo continuing education in order to renew their license every two years.
RNs can also take a post-degree certification to make them ‘specialists’. For example, an operating room nurse can take the certified perioperative nurse (CNOR) credential, which can lead to increased pay, promotions, and better job opportunities.
Salary
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs earn an average of $41.38 per hour or $86,070 a year. That said, amounts may vary according to the RN’s educational level, experience, specialization, and location.
For example, PayScale puts the salary of BSN-educated nurses at $92,000, while ADN nurses earn about $75,000.
In terms of location, RNs from California earn the most. They bring home an average hourly wage of $66.20 or a mean annual salary of $137,690.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for RNs, according to the BLS, is faster than average at 6%. The employment change from 2023-2033 is projected to be at 197,200.
Nurse Practitioner
Equipped with advanced training, an NP is an RN who provides direct and primary patient care. They can perform tasks that are usually performed by physicians.
Responsibilities
NP responsibilities include:
- Performing detailed patient examinations
- Recording patient information/history
- Ordering medical exams and interpreting their results
- Diagnosing conditions
- Creating treatment plans
- Prescribing medications (supervised or unsupervised, depending on state)
- Performing minor procedures such as suturing or biopsies
- Referring and collaborating with other specialists as needed
- Supervising nurses and other team members
- Educating and counseling patients
Practice Setting
Like RNs, NPs are employed by hospitals, medical centers, clinics, outpatient facilities, campuses, and government agencies.
NPs typically work five 8-hour shifts, though AGACNPs, ENPs, or NNPs employed in hospitals may work longer shifts.
Specializations
Aspiring nurse practitioners can choose their specialization beforehand at NP school. Available tracks include:
- Adult-gerontology NP (acute and primary care)
- Emergency NP
- Family NP
- Neonatal NP
- Psychiatric-mental health NP
- Pediatric NP (acute and primary care)
- Women’s Health NP
Education
After gaining experience, RNs can apply for an MSN or DNP nurse practitioner program. Do note that many are recommending that the DNP, which is a terminal degree, be the standard education for NPs.
BSN holders may directly apply for an MSN or DNP program.
Those with an Associate degree will have to apply for an RN-DNP program. In some states, only RN-MSN programs are available. From there, ADN nurses have the option to pursue an MSN-DNP degree.
On top of completing the required work, NP students need to complete 500+ clinical hours.
Depending on whether an NP program is pursued on a full-time or part-time basis, schooling can take about 2–3 years to complete.
Licensure and Certification
Upon obtaining their MSN or DNP degree, an aspiring NP may apply for a certification exam. Depending on their specialization, they may need to take the exam rendered by:
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certification Corporation — AGACNP
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board — AGPCNP, ENP, FNP, and PMHNP
- American Nurses Credentialing Center — AGPCNP, AGACNP, ENP, FNP, PPCNP, and PMHNP
- National Certification Corporation — NNP and WHNP
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board — PPCNP and PACNP
Passing the certification exam administered by any of the agencies above makes one a ‘board-certified nurse practitioner’.
NPs also have to undergo continuing education and complete additional clinical hours in order to renew their license.
Salary
According to the BLS, NPs earn about $62.25 per hour or $129,480 a year. The top-paying state is California, where NPs earn an hourly mean wage of $77.66 or a mean annual salary of $161,540.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for NPs is 40%, which is much faster than average. From 2023-2033, the projected employment change is 141,200.
In a Nutshell
Both RNs and NPs provide patient-centered care. NPs, however, have advanced education/training, and are licensed to diagnose patients, order tests, and prescribe medications — some responsibilities that physicians perform. As such, NPs have greater autonomy and responsibility compared to RNs.
Frequently Asked Questions About RN vs NP
How much more do NPs earn than RNs?
The national median NP wage is approximately $35,000-$40,000/year higher than the national median RN wage as of May 2024 ($129,210 NP vs $93,600 RN). The gap can be larger in specialty NP roles — PMHNPs and AGACNPs typically earn $130,000-$150,000+ in metropolitan markets.
How long does it take to go from RN to NP?
From an active RN license, the path to NP typically takes 2 to 4 years for an MSN or 3 to 4 years for a DNP. RNs without a BSN need to complete an RN-to-BSN bridge first (typically 1 to 2 years) before entering a graduate program. Compressed full-time pathways like BSN-to-DNP can finish in 3 to 4 years post-BSN.
Can I become an NP without being an RN first?
No. All nurse practitioner programs require an active, unrestricted RN license as a prerequisite. NPs are advanced practice registered nurses, and the RN credential is the foundational license that NP programs build on. Direct-entry MSN programs exist but they include the BSN-equivalent coursework before the NP-specific curriculum.
Can RNs prescribe medications?
No. Registered nurses cannot prescribe medications. RNs administer medications based on physician or NP orders. Prescriptive authority is one of the defining differences between RN and NP practice — NPs prescribe medications in all 50 states (with controlled-substance authority varying by state and DEA registration).
Is becoming an NP worth the additional education time?
For most RNs, yes — measured by salary increase, autonomy, job stability, and specialty options. NP salary typically exceeds RN salary by $35,000-$60,000+ per year, plus the BLS projects 46% NP employment growth from 2023 to 2033 vs 6% for RNs. The education investment pays back in 2-4 years of NP-level earnings.
Do RNs and NPs work in the same settings?
Yes, with different roles. Both work in hospitals, clinics, and outpatient settings. RNs typically provide direct bedside care, administer medications, monitor patients, and coordinate care. NPs typically diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and may function as primary care providers. In many practice settings, RNs and NPs work side-by-side as part of the patient care team.