Nurse Practitioner (NP): The Highest Level of Nursing - Scope & Responsibilities

Nurse practitioner (NP)

The nurse practitioner (NP) is the highest nursing profession. NPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who have a master's degree in nursing (MSN) and have successfully completed national certification in their specialty. NPs have a broader scope of practice than registered nurses (RNs) and may provide primary care, specialty care, and even prescribe medications.