Which Nursing Role is Right for You?
Understanding the differences between Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), also known as Nurse Practitioners, can help you decide on a nursing degree program.
What are the differences between an RN and an APRN or NP?
| Category | Registered Nurses (RNs) | Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) Nurse Practitioner (NP) |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master’s (MSN) or Doctoral degree in Nursing (DNP) | Master’s (MSN) or Doctoral (DNP) degree in nursing |
| Licensure | Pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain state licensure | Hold an active RN license, pass a national board certification exam, obtain APRN state licensure, and obtain a DEA # for prescribing controlled medications |
| Certification | Optional certifications after graduation in specialized areas (e.g., pediatrics, geriatrics, critical care, leadership, public health, oncology, informatics) | Required national board certification in a specific APRN role (e.g., FNP, PMHNP) via ANCC or AANP |
| Scope of Practice | Provide direct patient care, administer medications, monitor patient conditions, and provide patient/family/community education. | Diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and manage patient care independently in a majority of states. Some states require a collaborative agreement to practice with a physician or an APRN. |
| Roles | General patient care, health education, and collaboration with healthcare teams. Care coordination. Leadership and research roles. | Specialized clinical roles: Family NPs, Psychiatric NPs, Pediatric NPs, Adult/Gero NPs, Acute Care NPs, Certified Nurse Midwives. Research. Evidence based practice guideline development. |
| Autonomy | Clinically work under the supervision of physicians or APRNs. | Practices independently providing comprehensive wholistic healthcare. Some states require collaborative agreement for practice. |
| Work Setting examples | Hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, rehabs, schools, prisons, and home healthcare & hospice | Hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, specialty care centers, schools/universities, prisons, and community health organizations |
Advanced Practice Specialty Tracks for Nurse Practitioners
At Simmons, we offer two distinct nurse practitioner specialty tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
| Category | Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) | Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Provides comprehensive primary care across the lifespan, focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, and management of acute and chronic conditions. | Specializes in mental health care, focusing on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric disorders. |
| Patient Population | Individuals and families across all age groups, from pediatrics to geriatrics. | Individuals across the lifespan with mental health needs, including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. |
| Key Responsibilities | • Conduct physical exams • Diagnose and manage acute and chronic illnesses • Prescribe medications • Provide preventive care and health education • Coordinate care with specialists | • Perform psychiatric evaluations/Diagnose mental health disorders • Prescribe psychotropic medications • Provide psychotherapy and counseling • Develop and manage treatment plans |
| Scope of Practice | Broad scope, addressing health needs and managing a wide range of medical conditions. | Focused scope, addressing mental health and psychiatric conditions |
| Work Setting Examples | Primary care clinics, outpatient settings, hospitals, schools, and community health centers. | Primary care clinics, hospitals, Psychiatric hospitals, mental health clinics, private practices, correctional facilities, and community mental health centers. |
| Specialized Skills | • Chronic disease management • Acute care • Health promotion and education • Family-centered care | • Diagnosis of mental health conditions • Psychopharmacology • Crisis intervention • Psychotherapy techniques (e.g., CBT, DBT) |
| Certification | Certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). | Certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). |