Both Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses use their expertise to educate patients on health choices and administer medical treatment. However, they differ in their education requirements, level of seniority and scope of job responsibilities. For example, Registered Nurses need to achieve either an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing, then take the national licensing examination to become a Registered Nurse.

Similarly, Nurse Practitioners need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing and take the national licensing examination to become a Registered Nurse. However, to become a Nurse Practitioner, candidates need to complete a few years of experience as an RN while achieving a master’s degree in nursing. Some Nurse Practitioners may complete a Doctorate of Nursing Practice to advance their qualifications further. Because of their differences in education, only Nurse Practitioners have the authority to diagnose patient ailments and prescribe medications.

On a typical day, a Nurse Practitioner starts by checking in with their facility’s administrative staff to review their appointment schedule and any cancellations. Throughout the day, they greet patients, conduct routine physical examinations, take blood samples or administer vaccinations. During each appointment, they ask patients if they have any health concerns and update their patient records as needed. They also order prescription refills for patients.

A good Nurse Practitioner has compassion for others, which drives their motivation to help diagnose and treat their patients. They value continued education and look for ways to increase their knowledge of healthy living practices or health conditions to assist their patients better. Further, a good Nurse Practitioner has an investigative mindset and excellent attention to detail. These qualities allow them to evaluate their patients and perform diagnostic tests to determine a proper diagnosis. It also means that patients can start receiving the treatment they need to lead healthy lives.

A good Nurse Practitioner also has a personable nature that helps patients feel comfortable speaking with them about their health concerns.

Nurse Practitioners have varying levels of authority, depending on which states they work in. For example, Nurse Practitioners in states like California, Florida or Ohio typically refer to Physicians to confirm diagnoses or prescription orders. In contrast, Nurse Practitioners can have full authority when working in states like Maryland, Colorado or Montana. In this situation, Nurse Practitioners usually report to the state’s medical board or a Healthcare Facility Director.