Introduction to Different Areas of Study: RN, EN, NP Comparison

This essay provides a comparative analysis of the roles, qualifications, and responsibilities of Registered Nurses (RNs), Enrolled Nurses (ENs), and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) within the healthcare system. The essay highlights the distinctions in registration requirements, educational preparation, and supervisory roles among the three nursing categories. It details the educational backgrounds, including degree programs and clinical training durations, and explores the scope of practice, including the ability of Nurse Practitioners to prescribe medication and order tests. The essay also examines the impact of Nurse Practitioners prescribing medications on patient health outcomes. It concludes by summarizing the differences and similarities, emphasizing the unique contributions of each role in delivering effective patient care. The essay references relevant studies to support its claims and offers a comprehensive overview of the nursing landscape.

Running Head: INTRODUCTION TO DIFFERENT AREAS OF STUDY
INTRODUCTION TO DIFFERENT AREAS OF STUDY
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1Introduction to
different areas
of study
Introduction:
Registered nurse (RN), the enrolled nurse (EN), and nurse practitioner (NP) all work
toward to provide effective patient care. In this way all three are somewhat considered to be
same but there is a difference between all the three. According to Jacob et al., (2012), there is
dissimilarity between that of the EN and the RN. This essay focusses on the difference between
1). RN, 2). EN and 3). NP based on their certification, qualification and role in the health care
organization. Effect of medication on patient prescribed by nurse practitioner is also discussed in
the essay.
Difference between enrolled nurse, registered nurse and nurse practitioner:
The difference is mainly conducted based on four factors, which includes, registration,
supervisory requirement, educational preparation and role expectation. RN and EN both have to
register, whereas, registration for RN commenced in 1924, and the registration for EN was
commenced on 1958. For RN, the registration requires, three years of bachelorette degree in
nursing whereas for the EN, one year certificate degree or diploma of 18 month is required.
There is also difference between the educational preparation such as, length of clinical placement
as well as length of training. For the RN, the length of degree is 3 years with some universities
offering 18 months program for the degree whereas for the EN, it is twelve to eighteen months of
training at the diploma level or certificates. Another difference between the EN and the RN is the
supervision requirements. The RN possess delegation and leader ship role whereas, enrolled
nurse is expected to work under the registered nurse. The EN are involved in less complex than
that of RN. Apart from that, NP are the nurse who were once the RN. They can prescribe
medicine, order any test which cannot be performed either RN or EN. They require higher
education than both of EN and RN.

2Introduction to
different areas
of study
Effect of nurse practitioner prescribing medication to patients:
NP prescribing medicines is observed frequently on the behalf of general practitioner
(GP) According to, Ortiz, et al., (2018), there is no variance observed between the health
outcome between the NP and the GP. Both have provided somewhat similar result. It is very
much commonly observed in South Australia than in any other states. According to Dunn, et al.,
(2010), 72% of the NP who are authorized ad 39% of the candidate NP have stated that, they had
prescribed medicine during their clinical practice.
Conclusion:
From the essay it can be concluded that, RN, EN and NP all three are different based on
different factors. Their role in a healthcare organization is different. Education qualification
required is also dissimilar in case of all three nurses. From the essay, it can also be stated that,
there is no major difference observed between the wellbeing of the patient who are consuming a
medicine prescribed by GP and NP. NP who prescribes medication to the patient is common,
especially in Australia as compared to United States, where such practice is less frequently
observed.

3Introduction to
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Reference
Dunn, S. V., Cashin, A., Buckley, T., & Newman, C. (2010). Nurse practitioner prescribing
practice in Australia. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 22(3),
150-155.
Jacob, E., Sellick, K., & McKenna, L. (2012). Australian registered and enrolled nurses: Is there
a difference?. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 18(3), 303-307.
Ortiz, J., Hofler, R., Bushy, A., Lin, Y. L., Khanijahani, A., & Bitney, A. (2018, June). Impact of
Nurse Practitioner Practice Regulations on Rural Population Health Outcomes.
In Healthcare (Vol. 6, No. 2, p. 65). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute.