What Is a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are among the most influential professionals in the modern healthcare sector. Leveraging clinical expertise and exceptional bedside skills, they form strong relationships with their patients while revealing the power of preventive care. Despite their impressive contributions, many patients and even some healthcare professionals may not understand this vital role and all it encompasses.

Registered nurses (RNs), for instance, recognize that moving into the role of nurse practitioner can spark a boost in autonomy and a chance to guide others as a true leader in the healthcare sector. With differing responsibilities and scopes of practice between NP jobs and even from one state to the next, it’s important to define: What is a nurse practitioner? 

To clarify, we provide a deep dive into this healthcare role while comparing it to (and contrasting it against) other leadership and high-level clinical opportunities in the healthcare sector. We also provide next steps for becoming an NP, even answering, “What type of education is required for a nurse practitioner?”

What Does a Nurse Practitioner Do?

• Performing diagnostic tests and making diagnoses.
• Creating patient care plans or altering existing plans as needed.
• Referring patients to specialists when necessary.
• Educating patients on disease prevention and the proper use of medications.

Some of these responsibilities overlap with those typically held by registered nurses. Both types of healthcare professionals, for example, may need to administer medication. With NPs, the scope of practice may be broader, as they are often authorized to make diagnoses and prescribe medications.

Nurse Practitioner vs. Doctor

Patients and aspiring healthcare professionals alike often wonder, what is a nurse practitioner versus a doctor? These roles certainly share much in common; both hold more autonomy than registered nurses, and both may act as patients' primary care providers. However, doctors require more extensive training, including medical school and postgraduate training known as residency.

Another key difference is that doctors maintain a broader scope of practice. This largely depends on which services NPs are authorized to provide in various states, though. NPs with full practice authority are permitted to evaluate patients, make diagnoses, and prescribe medications. In reduced and restricted practice states, NPs may need to enter into collaborative arrangements with physicians and may require supervision while providing some aspects of patient care.

Nurse Practitioner vs. Physician Assistant

Another distinction worth exploring: What is a nurse practitioner versus physician assistant (PA)? At first glance, these roles may look quite similar. Both nurse practitioners and PAs play a central role in diagnosis and patient management, with both expected to perform patient exams, order diagnostic tests, and develop treatment plans.

The main differences between these roles involve their presiding model of care. NPs adopt a more holistic, patient-centered approach in which patient education and preventative care are clear priorities. However, PAs follow a medical approach that centers on diagnosis and disease management. Beyond this, NPs may hold greater autonomy, although this largely depends on whether they work in full practice states.

Popular Nurse Practitioner Specialties

One of the greatest benefits of advancing into the role of NP is the ability to pursue compelling specialties, which allow NPs to work with specific patient populations — or in specific types of facilities or units. Many NPs feel naturally drawn to certain environments or populations, so specialization can make their day-to-day responsibilities more rewarding. This may even result in greater job satisfaction. Top NP specialties include:

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) provide comprehensive healthcare services for patients of all ages. Compared to other NP specialties, FNPs maintain a uniquely broad scope of practice, serving as the field's top generalists. This can be a great area of practice for NPs who enjoy working with a wide range of patients. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), this is by far the most common NP specialty, with more than 70% of NPs certified as FNPs.

Many FNPs take great satisfaction in helping patients participate actively in their own care. This is a top perk highlighted by Jamesetta A. Newland, PhD, in an AANP feature on FNPs. She explains, "As an FNP, I am a little like the old general practitioner [GP]; I prefer being a generalist and collaborating with colleagues and experts when the need arises."

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)

Committed to helping adult patients manage a range of chronic and acute conditions, adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNPs) hold a narrower age focus than FNPs, though they still enjoy the opportunity to work with a diverse patient base. Instead of serving infants and children, however, they emphasize comprehensive care through late adolescence, adulthood, and into patients' senior years.

Many AGNPs work in primary care, offering preventative services while also educating patients and empowering them to take a more active role in improving their own health and well-being. Revealing her love for this role, Evelyn G. Duffy, DNP, tells the AANP that she has the "privilege of developing a long-term relationship with their patients and with the patients’ families," adding that she can "delve more deeply into the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases that present in this population."

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

Working closely with children and adolescents, pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) address a number of pediatric concerns, including not only health issues but also developmental stages. They offer preventative services such as vaccinations as well as treat acute illnesses, including many that are more common in childhood.

These NPs can communicate effectively with children and their parents, helping them understand essential health and wellness practices while easing their fears as they develop a greater sense of trust in medical professionals. Jessica Peck, DNP, makes a convincing argument for this role: "Being able to make a positive impact and empowering families to achieve optimal health is enough to keep me coming to practice each day with a smile on my face and a skip in my step."

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Committed to helping patients manage and overcome a variety of mental health challenges, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) work closely with patients facing depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or other concerns. Often working in specialty clinics or psychiatric units, these NPs maintain an empathetic approach, offering emergency psychiatric care when required and otherwise helping patients manage symptoms associated with a vast range of mental health conditions.

As the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) points out, these professionals have a major impact, even representing the "second-largest group of behavioral health professionals." This challenging but rewarding position calls for not only nursing expertise but also a thorough understanding of complex psychosocial and neurobiological concepts. Advocating for this role, Susie Adams, PhD, explains that she finds great satisfaction in "helping people have productive, meaningful lives and being part of a community and giving them a purpose."

What Type of Education Is Required to Become a Nurse Practitioner?

Because nurse practitioners have a broader scope of practice than RNs, they must seek additional training to ensure that they can provide competent, high-level care. As graduate students, they take a deeper dive into evidence-based practice while also developing valuable leadership skills and exploring cutting-edge research. Additionally, they must adopt a spirit of continuous learning, as they are expected to adapt in response to emerging research and cutting-edge technological solutions.

Degree Options

Multiple degree programs promise to help aspiring NPs enhance their clinical skills and understanding of evidence-based practice. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is one available option, allowing RNs to rapidly advance into numerous APRN roles. Many NPs pursue their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which is ideal for those seeking advanced clinical roles or leadership opportunities.

Bridge programs (such as the APRN to DNP) help aspiring NPs streamline their academic experience while addressing potential skill gaps. Many degree programs are further tailored to reflect preferred specializations. These include exciting options for those who hope to work as adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners or as family nurse practitioners.

Certification and Licensure

In addition to completing a relevant graduate-level degree, aspiring NPs need to seek certification and licensure. This process involves rigorous exams, which may be administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). This is crucial for demonstrating competency in relevant clinical areas as well as from a compliance perspective.

Upon securing relevant certifications, NPs should be prepared to apply for state licensure. Application requirements may vary between states but typically involve nursing school transcripts and proof of passing certification exams.

Career Outlook for Nurse Practitioners

The future is bright for nurse practitioners, who are increasingly regarded as a central part of the solution to many issues plaguing the modern healthcare system: shortages in primary care providers, high healthcare expenses, chronic disease challenges, and more. A wealth of research indicates that NPs provide high-level care and hold undeniable value within the healthcare sector.

As more healthcare leaders recognize this value, many will look to NPs to support overarching objectives such as improving access to care (especially in underserved communities) and enhancing patient satisfaction. NPs have even attracted attention from leaders in government, with many governors paying homage to these hardworking professionals during NP Week.

Speaking to this increased recognition, AANP President Stephen A. Ferrara explains how the "demand for health care continues to rise, fueled by the growth of an aging population and the continued shortage of primary health care providers," adding that this will prompt the need for an expanded and diversified NP workforce.

Further confirming the growing demand for NPs, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) highlights a strong career outlook across APRN roles — a broad and promising category referred to as "nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners." Together, these fields possess a remarkable outlook of 40% growth between 2023 and 2033. This is impressive even compared to other nursing roles, such as RN, which maintains a more modest outlook of 6%.

Explore Nurse Practitioner Opportunities With Nebraska Methodist College

Are you looking to explore new opportunities in nursing? The right degree program could set you up for success as a nurse practitioner. Look to Nebraska Methodist College for support as you embark on this professional journey.

At Nebraska Methodist College, we offer bridge programs designed to help you advance in your nursing career. These programs even include specialty training to prepare you for NP roles you find compelling. Examples worth considering include our various BSN to DNP opportunities — including tailored programs for aspiring adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialists, adult-gerontology primary care NPs, and family nurse practitioners.

Explore our nursing programs, and get in touch if you would like to learn more about these degrees and their associated professional pathways. Or, feel free to take the next step and apply today!