Is a nurse practitioner higher than an RN?

Yes, a nurse practitioner (NP) has a higher role than a registered nurse (RN). An NP has achieved higher educational achievement and experience than an RN and is considered a higher role than an RN.

This also means that the NP's role has a larger scope with more authority than what RN's possess. NPs have a higher role than RNs due to the combination of their greater academic achievement, experience, and responsibilities.