Nurse Practitioner VS Registered Nurse
As you may already know becoming a nurse has rewards of immense satisfaction in knowing that you have made a real impact on a patients’ life. When considering a nursing career, registered nurse (RN) and nurse practitioner (NP) roles are often thought about.
What does a Registered Nurse do?
Registered Nurses duties vary depending on where they work and the size of their team. This role is often one where no two days are the same.
Registered Nurses asses’ patients, identify critical needs and implement medical plans.
RNs also spend their time performing tasks like:
· Caring for wounds, such as cleaning and bandage applications
· Educating patients and family members on treatment and care plans for injuries and conditions
· Observing patients on medication/treatment for side effects and reactions
· Recording patient conditions and symptoms on medical records
· Supervising less experienced nurses and students
· Administering medication
· Familiarising themselves with both the medical industry and hospital technology
Registered Nurses also work across a wide range of specialties such as paediatrics, oncology, family medicine, ambulatory care, or rehabilitation.
What do Nurse Practitioners do?
Nurse practitioners also work closely with patients to monitor their health. However, their role may change according to the location of their position and field.
Nurse Practitioners perform the following duties:
· Collecting information and samples from patients
· Performing detailed examinations
· Ordering diagnostic tests
· Supervising nurses and other staff
· Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to share knowledge, create treatment plans and diagnose patients
Some common specialties amongst nurse practitioners are paediatric care, government agencies, family practice, universal faculty, and geriatrics hospitals.
What is the difference between a Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse?
Roles and responsibilities
Both nurse practitioners (NPs) and registered nurses (RNs) have similar roles in observing patient care. However, a big difference between their roles is a nurse practitioners’ ability to prescribe treatments, order tests, and diagnose patients- duties usually performed by physicians. This differs from the role of registered nurses as they usually work under a physician who determines patient care. Therefore, a nurse practitioner holds more responsibility in their work setting as they attained further education and experience in comparison with a registered nurse.
Training and education
As mentioned above, a main difference between a nurse practitioner and a registered nurse comes down to their qualifications. To work as a registered nurse, you need a degree in nursing, and you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Typically, a nurse practitioner has this same requirement, but they need an additional master’s degree along with further clinical experience, certifications, and training.
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