RN vs. NP: Exploring the Benefits of a Master’s Degree

Nursing offers a range of opportunities for career advancement. Registered nurses (RNs) can specialize in nursing leadership, train to become nurse educators, or pursue graduate degrees and expand their clinical expertise to become advanced practice RNs (APRNs) such as nurse practitioners (NPs).

RNs may wonder whether it’s worth earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to become an NP. Assessing the differences between RN vs. NP responsibilities, salary data, and job outlook provides valuable insights into the many benefits of a master’s degree.

Registered Nurses vs. Nurse Practitioners

What is the difference between an RN and an NP? Both draw on their clinical expertise and patient care skills, but the two roles have significantly different clinical responsibilities and education requirements.

Clinical Skills

Both RNs and NPs need strong clinical and patient care skills. However, their clinical responsibilities differ.

In clinical settings, RNs conduct patient health assessments, administer treatments, and perform diagnostic tests. They communicate patient symptoms and their observations to doctors and other healthcare providers, who then diagnose and treat patients.

RNs also play a critical role in patient education, providing information on preventive care, managing chronic conditions, and recovering from injuries or illnesses at home.

The clinical responsibilities of NPs include diagnosing medical conditions, developing treatment plans, and providing primary and specialty care. In full practice states, NPs can also prescribe medication. NPs need strong leadership abilities and clinical decision-making skills, which they develop during the required master’s or doctoral degree programs.

Nursing Specialties

Nurses work in multiple specialty areas based on the patient population or type of care. While RN and NP specialties overlap, their clinical responsibilities differ. For example, pediatric RNs care for young patients and assist pediatricians, while pediatric NPs can serve as primary care providers for children.

Common RN specialties include the following:

• Critical care
• Cardiovascular
• Public health
• Oncology
• Pediatrics
• Medical-surgical

Common NP specialties include the following:

• Family health and primary care
• Acute care
• Women’s health
• Psychiatric-mental health
• Neonatal or pediatrics

Education Requirements

While RNs qualify for entry-level roles with an undergraduate degree or a certificate, NPs need a graduate degree to meet board certification and licensure requirements.

RNsa can enter the profession with a nursing certificate, a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Undergraduate nursing programs combine classroom and clinical components to build the knowledge and skills necessary to work as RNs. For example, nursing students complete supervised clinical rotations to develop patient care and clinical abilities.

NPs need a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree in nursing. Most complete an MSN, which includes coursework in an NP specialty and a minimum of 500 hours of supervised clinical training. MSN programs build on RNs’ existing expertise to prepare them for advanced practice roles.

Salary and Job Outlook for RNs vs. NPs

Nursing careers report a strong salary and job outlook. However, NPs benefit from significantly higher demand and earning potential.

RN vs. NP Salary Data

RNs earned a median annual salary of $86,070 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The lowest paid RNs earned under $63,720, while the highest paid RNs made more than $132,680. RNs working in government and hospital settings reported salaries above the median, while those in ambulatory healthcare services and residential care facilities reported salaries below the median.

NPs reported a median annual salary of $126,260 in May 2023. The lowest paid NPs earned less than $94,530, while the highest paid NPs earned more than $168,030. NPs working in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and psychiatric hospitals reported higher salaries, while those in physician and health practitioner offices reported lower salaries.

RN vs. NP Job Demand

Both RNs and NPs will see strong job growth over the next decade, according to the BLS. NPs rank among the fastest-growing occupations per capita, while RNs will see a higher number of total new jobs.

Positions for RNs are predicted to increase by 6% between 2023 and 2033, translating to around 194,500 annual job openings. RNs will see job growth in many settings, including hospitals and outpatient care centers. At-home and residential care will also see growth driven by the aging population.

NP jobs are expected to increase by 46% over the same period, driven in large part by demand for primary care providers. Several states have also expanded the practice authority for NPs, increasing demand. Currently, NPs are the fastest-growing healthcare occupation.

Benefits of Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

By advancing their education to become NPs, RNs can enjoy benefits such as the following:

• Increased Autonomy: Compared with RNs, NPs have greater autonomy to practice independently. In some states, NPs can open private practices and prescribe medications, and in all states, they can diagnose and treat medical conditions.
• Higher Earning Potential: RNs can boost their earning potential by becoming NPs. The median salary for NPs exceeds the median salary for RNs by 47%, and strong demand may give NPs opportunities to negotiate higher salaries.
• Greater Job Demand: While RNs benefit from a high number of job openings, NPs have a significantly stronger career outlook. RNs are uniquely positioned to prepare for a career path with 46% projected job growth, making it one of the fastest growing professions in the nation.

Become a Family Nurse Practitioner at American International College

Are you an RN interested in becoming an NP? The online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) program at American International College can prepare you for in-demand NP careers.

Designed for working nurses, the online program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) helps RNs advance their clinical expertise while caring for patients. Students take online courses in nursing research, advanced health assessment, and pharmacology while completing supervised clinical requirements in their local areas.

Reach out to AIC today to learn more about how the MSN program for FNPs can help you reach your professional goals.