What's the difference between a nurse and an NP?

[Guillermo Gainsborg]

A nurse is a healthcare professional who provides patient care, education, and support, typically holding a nursing diploma or degree. In contrast, a nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse with additional education, often a master's or doctoral degree, allowing them to diagnose and treat medical conditions and manage patient care independently or collaboratively. While both roles are essential in healthcare, NPs have greater autonomy and responsibility in clinical decision-making and patient management.

[Keyin Jeremiah]

Nurse practitioners can actually prescribe meds in many states! I did not realize this: https://nursa.com/blog/can-nurse-practitioners-prescribe-meds-state-by-state-guide