What Is the Difference Between a Medical Doctor and a Nurse Practitioner?

What is a nurse practitioner?

You can think of a nurse practitioner (also known as an NP) as a nurse with extra education, training and skills. A nurse practitioner is a type of registered nurse (RN) who often has continued their education beyond the standard nursing program. Specifically, nurse practitioners have 6 to 8 years of training in the field of medicine. This extra experience gives them the authority to do more than a registered nurse. Nurse practitioners can even perform many of the services that physicians provide.

What is the difference between a medical doctor and physician?

You can use "medical doctor" and "physician" to describe the same role. Any person who earns a Ph.D. can have the title of doctor, but not all doctors are doctors of medicine. However, a physician specifically describes a person who is qualified to practice medicine.

What defines a nurse practitioner?

Physicians and nurse practitioners are more alike than many people realize. Like primary care physicians, nurse practitioners can administer vaccines and perform physical exams. They can also educate patients about many health concerns. Their extensive training and education make nurse practitioners qualified to:

• Diagnose and treat common illnesses, minor injuries and certain chronic health conditions
• Get and review your medical history
• Give you advice on general health, nutrition and lifestyle changes
• Order, perform and interpret medical tests
• Perform physical exams and health screenings
• Prescribe medication when medically appropriate
• Refer you to other providers and specialists

Do nurse practitioners and physicians have similar training and experience?

Nurse practitioners and physicians are both highly trained medical professionals. The biggest difference between the two medical professions is the type of schools they attend. A Doctor of Medicine (MD) goes to medical school, but a nurse practitioner does not. The amount of time they spend in training also differs between the two roles. It takes about 11 years (or more) to become a physician. Training to become a nurse practitioner usually takes 6 to 8 years.

How are the educational requirements different?

Nurse practitioners can start with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree. They can then pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Most nurse practitioners work for several years as registered nurses before continuing their education. While training, nurse practitioners need to have an extensive amount of clinical practice. They also specialize in a specific area of study such as family medicine, pediatrics or mental health. Then, nurse practitioners must pass a standardized exam for certification and get a state license. Most states also require a specific number of hours of continuing education (CE) each year.

Physicians first earn a bachelor's degree. After graduation, students need to complete 4 more years of medical school. Their training also requires 3 to 7 years of internship and residency, depending on the area of study. After completing each stage of their extensive training, physicians need to pass exams. Specialists must also renew their certifications regularly.

Why visit a MinuteClinic® nurse practitioner?

MinuteClinic nurse practitioners can provide care 7 days a week at your convenience. You can walk into a clinic and make an appointment at a kiosk or schedule your visit online. You can even take advantage of an E-Clinic Visit or Video Visit to receive remote care from the comfort of your home.

MinuteClinic nurse practitioners, along with our PAs (physician associates), are here to help with a variety of issues. They can diagnose and treat minor illnesses and injuries. They can also provide screening and monitoring services. Our dedicated team offers over 125 different services. From wellness visits and physicals to vaccinations and women's health, we’ve got you covered. Plus, at MinuteClinic, you’ll save up to 40% less versus an urgent care facility.

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References used as sources for this page:

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3. https://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/np-vs-doctor/
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