Rn vs Np

Could someone please help me in detail, what is the difference between a nurse and a nurse practioner.

For one thing i know np can diagnose and prescribe medicine and Rn can't. Please help.. thanks in advance and god bless

An RN is an individual who has graduated from a program and received a Diploma, ASN, BSN, MSN; sat for and passed standardized exam- NCLEX. The RN practices professional nursing under individual state guidlines/Nurse practice Act. The RN provides nursing care to all individuals, educates all individuals on health care maintenance, prventive health care, counseling, etc.

The Nurse Practitioner is an RN, usually with an MSN who has a discipline as an advanced practice nurse. The NP is able to diagnose and manage a host of acute and chronic illinesses, independantly or in conjunction with the physician. Many areas of discipline/certification. Family practice, gerontology, OB, pediatrics, ER, Psych,.......many more. Most NP's have prescription privileges, can have solo practices, make critical decisions on the same level as a physician. Some NPs must have a collaborative agreement with a physician and some do not. Those decisions are made by the NPs individual state BON.

This is a rather scaled down attempt on my part to help you understand the differences betweent RN and NP.

You can do a search within the forums on this website and get some other ideas as well.

Good luck.

Hi, Seri

Thanks so much for your help, i have searching through this forum, but have not achieve all the information that can really distingush an RN to a NP. Im looking all over online and still i have received the same information that you have stated. Do you know what search string i should use? I will keep on trying.. Thanks again for your help, god bless

Are you still unclear about RN and NP?

Do a search within this forum about NPs, too. Many threads and responses regarding NPs in this forum and TONS of info regarding RNs within this entire website.

your nursing career: a look at the facts

although nursing is the nation's largest health care field, with 2.7 million registered nurses nationwide, misinformation from news stories and other media at times has fueled public misperceptions about the profession. as you plan or consider a career as a registered nurse, you should know these facts:

for the rest of the article, go to

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education/nurse_ed/career.htm

this website links you to the american association of colleges of nursing. they are strong advocates for bsn entry level for nurses. this site does not discuss the other avenues to get your rn as i mentioned above.

Thanks again....

I guess i am having trouble finding the information, What i am trying to find is the difference in responsiblities. With a np what are the daily task compared to RN. What are the main difference, because it seems like RN and NP have the same role, but Np is more educated. Im not sure.. maybe im confused. Please help.

O.K., I hope I can clear this up for you.

An NP is an RN with advanced academic and clinical experience.

An NP provides care in much the same way a physician does. The RN cannot do that......it is out of the scope of practice.

Maybe if I give you a glimpse of a day in the life of an NP.

Here is an example of what I do, not daily, but, on some days, very close. I start off my day making rounds, usually on my patients. I sometimes have added ones the physicians want me to see for them because they are out of town, or will be late. Things like that. I have a practice, combined practice, with the physicians. We are collegues. I may have patients in CCU, ICU, on the floor and sometimes in the ER, if they just come in before clinic.

Then I go to clinic and see my patients. Some are by appointment and some walk-ins. I do the same thing the physician does. I treat a myriad of dz's and disorders. I see babies, children, teens, young adults, women, men, geriatrics.......you name it. Then, maybe lunch............more than likely not because I have to go BACK to the hospital and see the ones that the nurses have been calling about for the morning. Ones that can wait until now to be seen. However, during clinic, I may have to go back to the hospital to address problems and/or work codes and such. That happens frequently I might add. O.k., back to clinic and finish the day. I do paps, breast exams, sutures, casts, minor fx sets, drain abscess, take off warts, moles, remove fish hooks, remove foreign bodies (within my protocol) from the eye, well baby checkups, school physicals, football physicals. Treat pneumonia, CHF, diabetes, heart dz, post MI (and have pt. come in clinic HAVING an MI).......flu, sinus infections, dog bites, panic attacks, suicide attempts, runny noses, routine exams, refill Rx, diet control, pt. teaching, pulmonary edema, cancer, flush mediports, drain knees, remove toenails, acute abdomen such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, cholecysitis, gastritis, bowel obstruction. Asthma attacks, croup, laryngo-tracheobronchitis, dehydration adult/child, respiratory distress/arrest (yes, we are fully capable to run codes in the clinic and yes, I intubate child/adult and give/order meds)...and .........and, on.......and, on.........and,on........

Then back to hospital to make evening rounds. Sometimes after that, I will take ER call. I am the healthcare provider.......no physician with me. I will have a MULTITUDE of different presentations. 24 hour call. MVA, gun shots, stabbings, MI, codes, children and adult. Home, sleep and calls during the night about the fever/pain/cough/MI/precip/respiratory distress/arrest needing a ventilator.................

The RN does not do this.