APRN vs NP: What’s the Difference?
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Credit: Klaus Vedfelt / DigitalVision / Getty ImagesIf you’re looking to advance your nursing career beyond the registered nurse (RN) license, it’s common to become confused between nurse practitioners (NPs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
An NP is a type of APRN. But there are other similarities and differences to understand — and they can be crucial as you plan your career.
Explore this page for information on education, career, and salary outlook data for NPs and APRNs.
APRN vs. NP: Key Similarities and Differences
APRNs comprise multiple roles, including NPs, which is further divided into several specialties: family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontological nurse practitioner (AGNP), psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, women’s health nurse practitioner, emergency nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP), or neonatal nurse practitioner.
APRNs fulfill many clinical responsibilities, from caring for pregnant people and delivering babies as nurse midwives to administering anesthesia as nurse anesthetists — the most lucrative nursing specialty — to leading and participating in research as clinical nurse specialists. NPs practice in numerous clinical settings, including hospitals, private practices, and outpatient care facilities. NPs’ broad clinical autonomy helps fulfill the medical needs of millions of patients, including in places where healthcare provider shortages, including physician shortages, are most severe.
APRN vs. NP: Duties and Responsibilities
What Does an APRN Do?
APRNs fulfill specific roles that include various responsibilities and clinical settings. APRNs care for patients across the lifespan and play an essential role in high-quality care delivery, research, and nursing leadership.
- Nurse Practitioner: NPs may work in hospitals, clinics, specialty practices, schools, prisons, or corporate settings, and some are trained for either acute care or primary care.
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): CRNAs provide anesthesia in hospitals, surgical centers, and other settings that require anesthesia or pain management services.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): The CNS specialty often focuses on nursing education, training and mentorship, leadership, expert consultation, or research. However, a CNS has the practice authority to diagnose and treat patients in their area of specialty when necessary.
- Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM): CNMs provide perinatal care to pregnant women and may also be involved in delivering babies in hospitals and birthing centers.
What Does an NP Do?
NPs can specialize in several different areas, including:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)
There are also other, less-common specialties for NPs, including oncology and aesthetics.
NPs can assess, diagnose, and treat illnesses, including writing prescriptions and ordering diagnostic tests. Each state’s regulations on nurse practitioner practice authority determine whether an NP needs a supervising physician or can practice independently in that state.
NP and APRN Education and Certification
Common first steps for both APRNs and NPs include completing an initial nursing program and achieving licensure as an RN. Although some APRNs must now earn a doctoral degree, all APRNs and NPs must earn a master of science in nursing (MSN).
How to Become an NP
Becoming a nurse practitioner involves multiple steps, including earning an advanced nursing degree and certification. As one of the fastest-growing jobs in the United States, the demand for NPs remains high. The steps to becoming a nurse practitioner include:
- 1
Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree
Traditional BSN programs are generally four years in length.
Those RNs who began their career with an associate degree in nursing can choose an RN-to-BSN bridge program to advance their education. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline can become an RN through an accelerated BSN program.
- 2
Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam
Passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is key to becoming licensed as an RN. This comprehensive computerized exam measures competencies in multiple areas of clinical practice and knowledge.
- 3
Gain RN Experience
Most graduate nursing programs require several years of hands-on clinical nursing experience. Prospective NPs find employment as RNs to gain practical experience, including in their hoped-for field of specialization.
- 4
Earn a Master of Science in Nursing
MSN programs that lead to NP fields involve academic coursework and hands-on clinical experience. Many MSN programs first require a BSN, RN licensure, nursing experience, a personal essay, and letters of recommendation. There are also direct-entry MSN programs for learners with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
- 5
Earn certification and licensure
Graduates of NP programs must sit for a national exam in their specific area of clinical specialty to earn their certification and NP licensure.
How to Become an APRN
To become an APRN, you must first earn a BSN, get your RN license, and obtain RN experience. Your path to becoming an APRN depends on the specialty you choose.
- Nurse Practitioner: To work as a nurse practitioner, NPs must earn an MSN and pass a certification exam in their area of specialization.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist: For the CNS career path, earning an MSN or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree and passing a national certification exam are required.
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist: CRNAs must earn a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) or doctor of nurse anesthesia practice (DNAP) degree and pass a rigorous national certification exam. Most CRNAs will generally earn an MSN before entering a CRNA doctoral program.
- Certified Nurse-Midwife: Most nurse-midwives must get a graduate degree in nurse-midwifery and national certification. In some states, direct-entry certified midwives (CMs) can practice midwifery without first becoming licensed as RNs.
APRN and NP Salary and Career Outlook
APRNs and NPs consistently enjoy competitive salaries and solid projected job growth. Here is the breakdown of APRN median annual salaries by category.
| APRN Nursing Field | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $109,670 |
| Certified Nurse-Midwife | $109,400 |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | $188,900 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | $104,400 |
NP Salary and Career Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), CRNAs, CNMs, and NPs earned a median annual salary of $132,050 in 2024, or $63.48 per hour. CRNAs continue to be the highest-paid nursing field, with a median annual salary of $223,210.
The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) reports that CRNAs are particularly valuable in areas where anesthesiologists are less prevalent and comprise 80% of anesthesia providers in rural counties.The BLS projects 40% job growth for APRNs from 2023 to 2033, which is 10 times faster than the 4% average job growth projected for all occupations.
The bulk of this expansion comes from NPs, with a 46% growth outlook for the 2023-2033 timeframe, far outpacing the 10% expected for CRNAs and the 7% projected for CNMs.
APRN vs. NP: Which Career is Right For Me?
Several factors may influence your decision to become an APRN or NP, including:
- Desired patient population
- Clinical setting
- Job responsibilities
- Educational requirements
- Job market, including in a particular city or state
For example, if you hope to work in an acute-care setting, you may gravitate toward a career as an AGACNP. If you are interested in nursing research and education, the CNS field may be a strong potential option.
APRNs are crucial to the healthcare system, particularly in under-resourced areas. Each APRN career path allows practitioners to practice at an advanced level and enjoy positive job growth, high earning power, and clinical autonomy.
Related Pages
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How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist
Does working in an operating room interest you? If so, learn about the nurse anesthetist profession and how to get started in this lucrative career.
NP vs. CNS: What’s the Difference?
The difference between nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists can confuse nurses choosing between the two. Learn about the similarities and differences.