RN to General Nurse Practitioner (NP): What Can I Expect?

• Are you looking to advance your career? 
• Wondering what the road to becoming a general nurse practitioner (NP) is like? 
• We’ve got the scoop on what you can expect making the transition from RN to NP. Check it out! 

How Long Will I Be in School?

According to nursing career experts at nurse.org, on average, it can take between two to three years to transition from an RN to a general nurse practitioner (NP).  

However, not everyone has the flexibility to quit their job and go back to school.  

Thankfully, there are many RN to NP programs available for those who want to continue working at the bedside while also advancing their career. 

The best part? Depending on the learning environment and needs you have, there are both in-person and online programs available! 

Wondering what you will be doing once you ace your exams, gain experience, and earn your nurse practitioner degree? Let’s get into it! 

What Will I Be Doing as a General Nurse Practitioner?

An NP is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with prescriptive authority who can assess needs, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose illnesses, and implement treatments.  

Oftentimes, APRNs and NPs are commonly confused, so check out our breakdown! 

 If you are looking to transition from an RN-BSN to an NP for more provider autonomy, you are on the right track!  

Although the regulations and requirements may vary, there are several states in the US that allow NPs to have full practice authority.  

With that being said, Regis College outlines just a few extra roles you might take on as a new NP. Check them out: 

• Recording patient medical histories, including current symptoms and medications, and ensuring accurate medical records to provide proper diagnoses 
• Performing routine and detailed examinations and assessments 
• Referring patients so they acquire the treatment they need 
• Performing small medical procedures, depending on specializations 
• Managing registered nurses, LPNs, CNAs, and other staff members 
• Collaborating with other healthcare professionals such as occupational therapists or physical therapists to create further treatment plans and improve patient diagnoses 

What is the Pay Difference Between RNs and NPs?

As with any job, education, qualifications, and certifications are just one of the many ways that one can make themselves more valuable to an organization. 

It is no question that a general nurse practitioner makes more money per year than an RN, but how much?  

As of February 25, 2022, the average national salary for an RN is $81,560. The average for NPs is $114,708. That is a substantial difference and could truly go a long way if you are willing to go back to school for a few years.  

What Can I Expect?

The University of Texas at Arlington highlights just a few comments from current NPs discussing what prospective NP students can expect after beginning a career in this role, let’s take a look:  

You should learn medical coding and billing.

Will you have an assistant, scribe, or other nurse on the team to help with this step? Yes, most likely.  

However, if there is a discrepancy or misunderstanding, it could be detrimental to your or the clinic’s reputation.  

Having a meeting with a human resources team member or patient coordinator to cover the ins and outs of the coding and billing systems might serve as beneficial to you and your team in the long run.  

You are responsible for handling a patient’s post-visit needs.

As an NP, you will handle prescription refills with pharmacies, answering patient, insurance, hospital, or other facility question.  

Although you might have had some experience with this an RN, it is a requirement for an NP to fulfill these duties. 

You might feel isolated if you are the only NP in the clinic.

RNs are used to working as part of a team of other RNs. It is a rarity (or staffing crisis) to be the only RN on a unit floor or in a clinic at any time. 

However, depending on the setting you are working in as an NP, you might be the only one in your clinic.  

This transition can be difficult at first, but you will adjust with time and experience. 

You have a new sense of leadership, including over former colleagues.

Although it is unfortunate, it is common to see a lack of acceptance from an NP’s former colleagues.  

Given that the role and responsibilities of the NP have changed, and they now serve as a leader over the nursing staff, it is not out of the ordinary for new NPs to avoid working with former colleagues to avoid this potential conflict.  

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