NP vs APRN: What's the Difference Between Them?

8 Min Read Published August 5, 2024
NP vs APRN

Many people get confused about the differences between a nurse practitioner (NP) and an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Both are advanced-level nursing degrees that offer significantly more opportunities than a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). But what are the differences?

Well, an NP is actually a type of APRN, but becoming an APRN does not always make you an NP.  To add to the confusion, there are also master’s level nursing degrees that do not result in you becoming an NP or an APRN. 

Keep reading to find out exactly what the differences are between NPs, APRNs, and other nurses with advanced degrees. 

Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs

Sponsored
Walden University

Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.

Grand Canyon University

GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Purdue Global

Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.

Georgetown University

Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.

NP vs APRN

An APRN is an advanced practice registered nurse with graduate-level nursing education. APRNs can work in one of these 4 careers:

This means that while all nurse practitioners are APRNs, not all APRNs are nurse practitioners. They can also be CNMs, CNSs, and CRNAs. 

What is an NP?

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a type of APRN who works within a specialized area. NPs provide autonomous patient care and as well as work in collaboration with other healthcare providers.

What is an APRN?

An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is a registered nurse who has gone through advanced specialty training to gain skills, knowledge, and experience in a specific patient population or skill set. 

 

It is also essential to understand that there are non-NP and APRN master’s level nursing programs. These programs usually include administrative degrees for nurses who want to move into higher-level executive roles such as unit director, director of nursing, quality improvement manager, or chief nursing officer (CNO).

>> Related: RN vs NP

What Are the Differences Between an NP vs an APRN?

Nurse Practitioner

APRN

Education: 

To become an NP, students must already have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and complete a graduate master’s or doctoral program. 

Education: 

For APRN licensure, candidates must pass a national certification exam upon graduating from an accredited master’s degree nursing program.

 

Salary: 

NPs earn a median salary of $126,260 annually per the BLS

Salary: 

NPs, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Anesthetists earn a median pay of $129,480 per year or $62.25 per hour per the BLS

Certification:

NP students must pass a National Nursing Practitioner Board Certification exam on the patient population they specialized in during their program.  

There are five certifying NP boards:

Certification:

APRN certification is required for all graduates with an APRN specialty. The other three non-NP APRN specialties can take a national certification exam to prove they are competent to practice in their respective fields.

Skills: 

  • Assessing patients
  • Diagnosing acute and chronic health conditions
  • Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests
  • Prescribing medications and treatment plans
  • Coordinating patient care
  • Providing health care counseling to patients and families
  • Providing health education

Skills:

The specific skills needed for an APRN depend on the type of specialty and population they serve. However, all advanced practice nurses must possess a high level of critical thinking skills, leadership abilities, and clear communication skills. 

Specialties: 

  • Family practice
  • Women’s health
  • Oncology 
  • Pediatric
  • Psychiatric 
  • Neonatology
  • Acute care
  • Critical care
  • Emergency room
  • Orthopedics
  • Organ transplant
  • Cardiac care

Specialties: 

  • Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Certified Nurse-Midwife
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Scope of Practice: 

NP scope of practice is state-dependent and ranges from full to reduced and restricted practice authority.

Nurse practitioners have full practice authority in 25 states, meaning that they do not have to work under the supervision of a doctor.

In the remaining states, NPs still have more authority than RNs, but they need a medical doctor to sign off on certain patient care decisions.

Scope of Practice: 

The scope of practice of APRNs depends on the state regulations where they work.

In many states, APRNs work under the supervision of a physician to practice. However, APRNs can practice independently, write prescriptions, and own their own practices in others.

No matter if you decide to become an NP or go into a different APRN specialty, you will have an exciting and challenging career ahead of you. Take time to think about what specialty you are the most passionate about and research the educational options that are available to you.

Many programs offer in-person, hybrid, and online options. However, clinical hours will always need to be in person. Best of luck to you in pursuing your APRN career!

Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs

Sponsored
Walden University

Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.

Grand Canyon University

GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Purdue Global

Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.

Georgetown University

Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.

FAQs

  • Is an APRN a nurse practitioner?

    • A nurse practitioner is one of four types of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). An APRN can also be a clinical nurse specialist (CNS), Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), or a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist(CRNA).
  • Is APRN higher than RN?

    • An APRN is higher than an RN. To become an APRN, an RN must complete a BSN and an MSN or doctoral degree.
  • Is an APRN considered a doctor?

    • An APRN is not a doctor. However, they do practice under the same “medical model” that doctors do. In many states, nurses work under the license of a physician. But in other states, NPs can write prescriptions and autonomously own a practice.
  • What is higher than a nurse practitioner?

    • An NP can be a master’s-trained APRN, and they can also have a doctorate. An NP who has obtained a doctorate has the highest level of nursing degree. In 2025, nurse practitioners must earn a doctorate.
Sarah Jividen
RN, BSN
Sarah Jividen
Nurse.org Contributor

Sarah Jividen, RN, BSN, is a trained neuro/trauma and emergency room nurse turned freelance healthcare writer/editor. As a journalism major, she combined her love for writing with her passion for high-level patient care. Sarah is the creator of Health Writing Solutions, LLC, specializing in writing about healthcare topics, including health journalism, education, and evidence-based health and wellness trends. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two children. 

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), National University - Los Angeles Bachelor of the Arts (BA) in Journalism, California State University - Chico

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