APRN vs RN Roles: What to Know About Their Surprising Differences

Discussion Prompt:
What do you believe the professional and/or personal differences are between the role of the registered nurse (RN) and the advanced practice registered nurse practitioner (APRN)?

Education Requirements: APRN vs RN Differences

Firstly, APRN vs RN differences are manifested in varying training requirements for each level. The requirements for practice as an RN entail obtaining an Associate’s Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. A Nursing Diploma offered through an RN program while viable is increasingly becoming rare. However, an APRN possesses advanced nursing training, as this position requires a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing qualification (Boehning & Punsalan, 2023).

Scope of Practice: APRN vs RN Differences Explained

Secondly, the diverse scope of duties between APRNs and RNs is another major source of disparity. A registered nurse performs basic nursing procedures that promote the patient’s recovery, including evaluating the patient’s condition and keeping records, administering treatment, and monitoring developments in the patient’s recovery. In contrast, APRNs can perform the basic duties of RNs coupled with more specialized roles, like independently performing various roles including diagnosing illness, conducting and interpreting tests, and administering treatment (Boehning & Punsalan, 2023). However, the increased scope of duties for APRN varies by state.

Autonomy in Practice: APRN vs RN Differences Compared

Finally, the level of autonomy exercised by both roles is another important variance for APRNs vs RNs. An RN exercises a limited level of autonomy due to working under the supervision of a physician or senior nurse leadership. They are competent enough to assess a patient’s condition and develop and implement a care plan; however, their practice is limited by a lack of independence. On the other hand, APRNs exercise a higher level of independence as they can function independently or in collaboration with physicians. Notably, APRNs are RNs who have completed advanced coursework in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment, leading to APRN licensure and national certification in an area of expertise. This advanced training prepares them to perform their duties independently. We have explored the different areas of APRN licensure and specialization in our article on the evolution of advanced nursing roles that we urge you to check out.

Reference

Boehning, A. P., & Punsalan, L. (2023, March 1). Advanced practice nurse roles – StatPearls – NCBI bookshelf. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589698/

“Choosing between becoming an RN or pursuing an APRN path is a major decision – why not let us help you craft the perfect paper that highlights both? With expert nurse writers on our team, we turn complex comparisons into compelling academic work tailored just for you.”

Nursing Essay Specialist, AceMyCourseWORK.