NP vs. APRN: What’s the Difference?

A common cause of confusion in choosing an advanced practice nursing career path is understanding the difference between nurse practitioners (NPs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). This page compares and contrasts NPs vs. APRNs, including education, certification, salaries, and job growth potential, along with typical duties and responsibilities. Read on to gain the necessary understanding to make the right choice for your advanced practice nursing career journey.

Nurse practitioners provide high-quality care in several specializations to patients across the lifespan. While NPs are a type of APRN, not all APRNs are nurse practitioners.

These differences may cause patients difficulty understanding the qualifications of their care providers. Individuals seeking a career pathway to becoming NPs or APRNs may also seek clarity in distinguishing the two roles.

NPs are types of APRNs who have earned certification in roles such as 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. Of note, AGNPs and PNPs can serve in either an acute or primary care capacity, depending on their training and certification.

The various roles of APRNs include nurse practitioner, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and certified nurse midwife (CNM).

As of 2025, new nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners need a doctor of nursing practice (DNP), while other APRNs need an MSN or DNP.

The primary difference for NPs vs. APRNs lie in their specialty focus. APRNs deliver a particular type of care in a role such as CNA, CNM, CNS, or NP. Nurse practitioners focus on particular patient types, such as family practice and neonatal populations.

NPs work in outpatient care centers, independent practices, hospitals, and health systems. They can also provide onsite healthcare at corporations, universities, correctional systems, or military bases.

Depending on the state’s practice authority, they may work independently, in partnership with a physician, or under a physician’s supervision. They are responsible for:

APRN roles include a range of responsibilities and clinical settings.

NPs work in hospitals, clinics, schools, prisons, or corporate settings and can be trained for acute care or primary care.

CRNAs work in hospitals, surgical centers, or other practices where patients require pain control or anesthesia. A CNS generally works in hospitals, while CNMs may find themselves in hospitals, independent birthing centers, or even attending home births. APRNs are trained to do the following:

Some of the main differences among APRNs include, but are not limited to:

The CNS specialty often focuses more on nursing education, training, leadership, consultation, or research than direct patient care. However, they still have the practice authority to diagnose and treat patients in their specialty. Most states do not allow clinical nurse specialists to prescribe medication without physician supervision, but Hawaii, Delaware, Oregon, North Dakota, Alaska, and Rhode Island allow a CNS to prescribe medication independently.

All NPs and APRNs must achieve specific educational and certification requirements to practice in their specialty. Requirements common among all APRNs and NPs include an RN license, specialty certification, and an advanced nursing degree. As of 2025, CRNAs and NPs will need to hold DNPs to qualify.

To become an NP, an individual can start by earning an associate degree in nursing or a BSN, passing the NCLEX, and becoming licensed as an RN. Gaining some clinical experience as a nurse is generally recommended before applying to NP school.

After completing an MSN or DNP program, candidates can take the certification exam in the NP discipline that aligns with their education. Several accredited organizations offer these exams. After passing the appropriate certification exam, the candidate can receive their license as a nurse practitioner in the state where they plan to practice.

Like individuals who want to become NPs, those who want to pursue careers as APRNs must first earn nursing degrees and RN licensure. There are some differences in the schooling requirements for the role of CNS, NP, CRNA, and CNM, including education requirements.

Certification requirements for NPs are noted in the previous section. CRNAs must pass the National Certification Exam administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. The American Midwifery Certification Board administers the certifying exam for CNMs. Several certifying boards issue certification exams for these professionals based on the type of CNS education the applicant has completed.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 38% employment growth rate for APRNs from 2022-2032, which is significantly faster than the average employment growth for RNs (6%), physicians (3%), and all other occupations (3%). Coupled with the median annual salaries noted below, the outlook for APRNs and NPs appears to be bright.

The projected addition of over 118,000 nurse practitioner jobs between 2022 and 2032 makes NPs the fastest-growing profession for two years in a row.

A projected job growth of 45% for NPs is significant, along with the fact that NPs are among the highest earners of the fastest-growing occupations.

A growing physician shortage, NPs’ ability to provide equally high-quality care as MDs, and increasing NP salaries nationwide are all contributing factors drawing many to this well-respected career path.

For APRNs, the BLS projects a faster-than-average employment growth rate of 38% from 2022-2032.

With a median annual salary of $203,090, CRNAs earn the highest APRN salaries, with nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse practitioners also earning competitive pay.

Considering the previously mentioned average projected job growth for physicians and the respect, salaries, and career potential offered by the APRN career path, it’s no wonder these occupations are increasingly in demand.

If you’re examining the NP and APRN career paths, remember that nurse practitioners are a type of APRN, along with clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives. There are multiple NP specializations — some train to work in hospitals, and others focus on primary care and clinics.

A CNS can work in three main levels: direct care, organization, and nursing practice. They consult with nurses and nursing students in the direct care space. These healthcare professionals facilitate innovation and collaboration with other healthcare teams at the organizational level. They conduct research and implement change around improved evidence-based nursing practice.

CRNAs are the top earners of all nursing professionals, safely and cost-effectively providing over 50 million anesthetics annually in the U.S.

NPs and APRNs are in demand, well paid, and provide high-quality care to millions every day. Each career path promises job growth, earning power, and great respect for their hard work of keeping Americans healthy. The right position for you depends on what kind of care you want to provide and your preferred patient population.

Page last reviewed on March 21, 2024