Cassi Donegan, LPN

Nurse Types / Nurse Practitioner / RN to NP

Thinking about advancing your nursing career is such an exciting time! There are so many options when it comes to changing your nursing specialty. 

If you’re looking to expand your leadership opportunities and connect on a different level with your patients then moving from a registered nurse to a nurse practitioner could be the best career move. 

There are many different types of nursing careers to choose from. Incredible Health will be here for you along the way! Let’s start by going over some of the steps for transitioning from an RN to an NP. 

• What are some reasons to become an NP?
• What are the differences in responsibilities? 
• What are the steps to becoming an NP?
• How much do NP programs cost?

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What are some reasons to become an NP? 

There are many types of nursing certifications out there you could choose from. Becoming a nurse practitioner can give you the ability to experience your nursing career in new ways that aren’t possible with an RN license, like prescribing a patient medication and ordering tests and treatment. 

When becoming an NP there’s also a huge shift in responsibility, income, and employment outlook. You can ask fellow nurses about their experience in becoming a nurse practitioner and other topics on Incredible Health’s Questions & Advice page. 

Career Outlook 

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) projects the RN profession is expected to grow by 6% between 2021 and 2031. Over the next decade, there are expected to be over 190,000 openings for registered nurses yearly.

The need to employ NPs is expected to grow a whopping 40% from 2021 to 2031. They are expecting more than 121,400 openings a year on average for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners. 

Salary 

The BLS reports registered nurses make an average $82,750 a year. 

California comes in as the state with the highest-paid RNs at an average of $124,000 per year. 

Family nurse practitioners are one of the highest-paid types of nurses averaging a yearly mean salary of $118,040. California comes in again topping the pay out of all 50 states with an annual mean wage of $151,830 for NPs.

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What are the differences in responsibilities? 

The responsibilities of an RN vs an NP vary quite a bit depending on the specialty and type of workplace. Compared to an RN, an NP can do many things a physician can, but the NPs require a lot more clinical hours to reach that level of patient care. 

What are the steps to becoming an NP? 

As the demand for nurse practitioners rises you can educate yourself on what steps are needed to start earning NP credentials. 

Educational requirements 

Before you can become an NP you need to become a registered nurse and have your Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). 

You’ll then need to get your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

Some bridge programs that allow you to take the first steps in becoming an NP include:

• RN to MSN
• BSN to MSN
• Direct-entry to NP program

Applying to NP programs

Applying for NP school can be competitive, but worth the effort. Requirements for most programs (RN to MSN) are as follows:

• After you’ve earned your RN license many programs require you to have 1 or more years of experience as a nurse
• A record of strong academic discipline, usually a GPA of 3.0 or above
• A nursing license in good standing 
• Letters of recommendation 
• School application completion
• A letter of what you intend to do with your career goals as an NP
• Prerequisite classes passed with an A or B grade that vary depending on school
• An interview with the school 

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How much do NP programs cost?

There are about 400 different institutions in the U.S. to choose from to start an NP program. The costs of NP programs vary. On average, going from your BSN to MSN costs $18,810 – $185,280. 

How to pay for it

Many of the NP programs have monthly payment plans. You can also:

• Take out student loans 
• Apply for college, state, and private scholarships
• Apply for federal and state student aid like FAFSA
• Apply for college grants
• Check with your employer to see if they have a tuition payment or reimbursement program 
• Apply for Public Service Loan Repayment

Next steps

After graduating and choosing a specialty, you will take a state exam to obtain your state license. Then you find your place in the field to start your new career as an NP!

Becoming an NP is a big commitment, so make sure you’re ready and willing to invest in your future with the time, energy, and finances that it takes. 

Incredible Health has created a detailed guide to becoming an NP to help walk you through the steps!

No matter where you are in your career you can check out these nursing career resources for job search tips and ideas to improve your resume.

FAQs

Nurse Types / Registered Nurse / Doctor vs. Nurse

Both nurses and doctors wear stethoscopes, dress in scrubs, carry initials after their names, and work hard at the frontline of healthcare. They perform many of the same tasks, but there are differences as well. The level of responsibility, scope of practice, and type of education help determine if you’re talking about a doctor or a nurse.

Before choosing a career path, it is important to unravel the details about these two types of heroes. 

Read on to discover:

• What is a doctor?
• What is a nurse?
• What are the similarities between doctors and nurses?
• What are the differences between doctors and nurses?
• What is the salary outlook for doctors and nurses?
• What is the job outlook for doctors and nurses?
• What should you consider when choosing between the two roles?

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What is a doctor?

A doctor is a highly trained medical professional who has a license to diagnose and treat a patient’s condition. 

Types of doctors 

While there are many types of doctors. These are a few of the most common: 

• Family physicians are doctors who specialize in preventative care for people of all ages. They treat those with chronic illnesses and minor injuries. They perform annual physical exams and are the first doctor one might see for health concerns before going to a specialist. 

• An Anesthesiologist is a type of doctor who is licensed to administer anesthesia. These doctors are present in the operating room and administer general anesthesia to patients during surgery. They monitor them closely to ensure the patient is responding well to the medicine.

• Emergency Medicine doctors receive patients with injuries, poisoning, breathing problems, stroke symptoms, and chest pain. They examine the patient and stabilize them as soon as possible. Then they either admit them to the hospital for further treatment/testing or discharge them with instructions on what to do next. 

What is a nurse?

A nurse is a healthcare professional licensed by their state to provide medical care. They train to have a broad skillset to cover a variety of caregiver tasks and specialties. 

Types of nurses

There are many types of nurses. These are a few related to the doctors mentioned above.  

• Nurse Practitioners (NP) are trained to do many things a doctor can do like diagnose a patient’s condition and formulate a treatment plan. Some states allow NPs to prescribe medications. 

• A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) has advanced their career to provide patients help with general anesthesia for surgery, monitor them closely during the procedure, and help them recover from it afterwards. They are also equipped to handle epidurals, nerve blocks, and spinal injections to help with a patient’s pain. 

• An emergency room (ER) nurse is one of the first professionals to take care of the patient when they arrive at the hospital. They take care of treatment ordered by the doctor necessary to ensure the patient’s safety and well-being. They often help educate the patient on the treatment plan the physician ordered for them before they are discharged or sent to another part of the hospital.

What are the similarities between doctors and nurses?

Doctors and nurses perform well under pressure and have the ability to make quick, life-saving decisions. They are also able to exhibit soft skills like:

• Critical thinking
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Problem-solving
• Leadership
• Attention to detail
• Teamwork

Nurses and physicians strive to help, heal, and serve others. They stay up to date on the latest medical terms, technology, and research. Both are inspiring professions and are in the business of changing lives for the better. 

What are the differences between doctors and nurses?

There are many differences between doctors and nurses. Some include:

Nurses are trained to care for a variety of patient needs which allows them to work in family medicine one day and mental health the next. If a doctor wants to change their specialty, they must go through a rigorous process of residency all over again to gain expertise in the new area. 

Choosing between becoming a nurse versus a doctor may amount to how much time you are willing to commit to your career. Doctors need to be available frequently, throughout the day and night for some patients. Nurses usually work 8- to 12-hour shifts and can be relieved of their duties.

What is the salary outlook for doctors and nurses?

Salaries for doctors and nurses can depend on:

• Type of license
• Specialty 
• Location
• Experience 

On average a doctor makes an annual salary of $208,000 or greater. The highest paying salary for a doctor is an anesthesiologist that averages $331,190 per year.

A registered nurse makes an average salary of $82,750. Check out each state to find which location works for your budget. 

What is the job outlook for doctors and nurses?

Demand for doctors and RNs continues to rise, while the need for RNs is slightly higher. The nursing profession continues to grow because of an aging population requiring ongoing healthcare services. Patients are increasingly looking for a more holistic approach to medicine which advanced practitioners tend to offer. 

The need for advanced nurse practitioners is rising as the industry demand for nurses increases compared to the demand for doctors.

The estimated employment growth of physicians and surgeons will rise 3%, and nurses will rise 6% between 2021 and 2031.

What should you consider when choosing between the two roles?

You want to determine the amount of time you want to invest in your education. It will normally take more than 10 years to become a doctor. You can begin nursing within 12-18 months, though most choose to get their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) which is 4 years.

The types of responsibilities and amount of time nurses spend with patients differ greatly from a physician. Nurses often have more time to spend tending to the patient.

Think about what kind of role you want to have in the healthcare to help you decide between these two careers. 

Education

To become a doctor a person must:

• Earn a 4-year pre-med bachelor’s degree
• Pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
• Complete 4 years of medical school
• Pass one or more U.S. medical licensing exams
• Choose a specialty and complete 3 to 7 years of residency
• Pass a board certification exam 

Doctors have the option of entering a fellowship program for 1 or more years after they complete their residency.

To become a nurse a person must:

• Be admitted to a nursing program
• Graduate from an accredited nursing program after 12 months to 4 years
• Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) 

Optional advanced nursing licenses, like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), can add on several more years of education. 

Responsibilities

A doctor’s responsibilities can include:

• Performing a physical exam
• Collecting patient history
• Ordering tests
• Prescribing medication

Depending on the patient’s condition, they may order diagnostic tests, such as X-rays and blood work before diagnosing the patient. Interpreting lab and radiology results is an important responsibility. 

After a diagnosis is made, the physician may prescribe medications and treatment, such as surgical intervention. Referring patients to a specialist, like an oncologist, is another added responsibility. 

Responsibilities of a nurse can include: 

• Head-to-toe nursing assessment of the patient
• Monitoring symptoms, and vital signs, and documenting findings in the patient’s medical record 
• Keeping the doctor up to date with important changes in the patient
• Helping patients complete daily living activities like toileting, walking, and bathing

Nurses also administer medications and perform diagnostic tests like blood draws ordered by a physician. They also carry out duties such as wound care and prepping patients for examinations. 

Next steps

Both of these careers are the heartbeat of healthcare. Although very different, nurses and doctors come together for the patient’s best interest. If you choose one of these paths, it can provide you with the ability and knowledge to change many lives.

You can visit the Questions & Advice section to see real nurse talk for more information about subjects like this and so much more!

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