What't the difference between register nurse and nurse practicioner?

According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), a nurse practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) who has additional education and training in a specialty area such as family practice or pediatrics.

NPs (who are also referred to as advanced practice nurses, or APNs) have a master's degree in nursing, (MS or MSN) in the specialty area of their interest (many are also nationally certified in their area of specialty). For example, a pediatric NP has advanced education, skills, and training in caring for infants, children, and teens.

an RN has a 2 or 4 yr degree, an ARNP masters plus certification from accredited ARNP program, usually 18 months following masters.
they work similair to a physicians assistant in most cases, able too diagnose, and prescribe, directly under the supervision of an MD or DO.

RN's can only retrieve and carry out Dr.'s orders.

Nurse Practicioner's can do some of the tasks normally associated with doctor's, such as diagnosing disease and prescribing drugs. THey are often employed in areas that have a doctor shortage, or in clinics where there are a lot of minor illnesses are treated.

Nurse Practicioner can give out prescriptions while Nurses can't.

A nurse practicioner can write prescriptions....

RN two to four years, then on to Masters degree, NP's usually will pick a specialty such as family medicine, pediatrics etc.
NP's can head up health clinics, work in Dr's offices, and I am sure they can go on to teach classes if they want.

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