A registered nurse (RN) assists doctors and other nurses in providing critical care to patients in a variety of settings. These individuals typically hold an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and have passed the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN.

RNs work in many settings, and their roles and responsibilities depend on their specific work environment and patient population. However, all RNs possess foundational clinical skills related to the nursing process of assessment, diagnosis, outcomes/planning, implementation and evaluation that are applicable across the spectrum of health care settings.

Traits that will help an RN in their role include:

A registered nurse’s responsibilities vary based on the health care setting. Some responsibilities may include conducting patient assessments, dressing wounds and incisions, reviewing and determining treatment plans, helping doctors during surgery, guiding patients in healthy habits and providing emotional support to patients and families. 

The nursing staff in hospitals primarily comprises registered nurses. In this setting and others, registered nurses can also specialize in a variety of areas.

What are RN specializations? Some nurses pursue the various types of nursing certifications available to gain specialty expertise. Common RN specialties include:

Many registered nurses also work in nonclinical roles, such as administration, law and insurance offices.

Nurse practitioners are health care professionals who have advanced education and training beyond the requirements for registered nurses. NPs have at least a master’s degree, and today, many are choosing to pursue a doctoral degree in nursing, or a DNP. Nurse practitioners may specialize in a particular area, such as family nurse practitioner, pediatrics, oncology or women’s health. They are also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses, or APRNs, reflecting the additional education and training they’ve acquired.

What are the roles and responsibilities of a nurse practitioner? As a specialized nursing professional, an NP can deliver primary and specialty health care to patients. Such care includes diagnostics, treatment and medical counsel. An NP is also able to prescribe medications and create comprehensive treatment plans for patients, sometimes without the supervision of a physician. Although an NP degree is not required to practice in a specialty area, those who specialize in a particular discipline must meet certain training and licensing requirements.

What are NP specializations? Nurse practitioners work in many different types of specialty areas:

Although both professionals are nurses, there are distinct differences between RN and NP roles in terms of minimum and continuing educational requirements, licensing and certification, duties, specialization, salary, occupational demand and the ability to prescribe medications. The following provides an overview for each.

How much do RNs and NPs make? The salaries of RNs and NPs are substantially different. According to the BLS, the 2018 RN median annual salary was $71,730 per year. On the other hand, the 2018 NP median annual salary was $107,030, as per the BLS. The reason for the difference in salary is the extended role and scope of practice of NPs as well as their additional education (a master’s degree in nursing or doctorate in nursing).

In May 2018, the median annual wages for nurse practitioners (including nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives) in the top industries in which they worked were as follows, according to the BLS:

The median annual wages for registered nurses in the top industries in which they worked were as follows, according to 2018 data from the BLS:

The BLS projects that registered nurse job growth will increase 12 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will occur for a number of reasons, including an increased emphasis on preventive care, growing rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity and an increased demand for health care services as the baby-boom generation lives longer and leads more active lives.

The nurse practitioner profession is expanding as well. According to the BLS, this field is one of the fastest growing of all the health care professions: NP job growth is expected to increase 28 percent from 2018 to 2028.

In large part, this is due to the multiplying demands for health care and the ability for NPs in many states to carry out medical services that were once reserved for physicians.

So, where do RNs and NPs work? Both types of nursing professionals are in high demand across the health care industry. They work in a variety of settings:

Since NPs can perform medical services in many states, it is common for outpatient and urgent care facilities to rely on NP staff.