CAREER PATHS
What Is the Difference Between a Doctor and a Nurse Practitioner?
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EveryNurse Staff
- Last Updated: 09/08/2021
What exactly is the difference between a doctor and a nurse practitioner besides a few letters? It’s not a question anyone should feel embarrassed to ask. Despite going to nursing school and working as a nurse for over four years, I’ve still found myself researching this issue a handful of times. This article will provide you with a couple of memorable differences between the two providers.
“You Mean They’re Not A Doctor?”
An Important Question
As the presence of nurse practitioners continues to rise within the healthcare system, it has become increasingly relevant to know the differences between a physician and a nurse practitioner. There’s no doubt that nurse practitioners have plenty in common with doctors, but what is it that sets them apart?
As a nurse with about three years of experience in primary care, this is something that has come up many times in conversations I’ve had with patients. I was given multiple opportunities to work with several nurse practitioners while I was with a group practice. It often made me smile when I would speak with a patient who would refer to the nurse practitioner as their “doctor.” I would always try to respectfully explain to them that the nurse practitioner wasn’t their primary physician. Once a surprised patient replied, “You mean they’re not a doctor?” I assured her that there is certainly a distinction between the two roles.
What They Have in Common
Before diving into the ways these two professions diverge, it may be helpful to establish a few commonalities between them. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, some of the services that both doctors and nurse practitioners can provide include the following:
- Performing preventive exams (annual physicals, Medicare wellness visits, etc.)
- Ordering and interpreting imaging results
- Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses
- Writing prescriptions
However, it is important to note that each nurse practitioner’s scope of practice varies depending on the state where they practice. Some nurse practitioners may be more limited than others if their state limits their autonomy with requirements to be supervised by a doctor. Other states grant them the privilege to provide patient care independently without a physician’s oversight.
Breaking Down the Differences
Now that we’ve established some of the similarities, here are some of the areas where the career paths for doctors and nurse practitioners differ:
Length of Schooling
One of the greatest contrasts between doctors and nurse practitioners is the amount of time it takes for one to achieve these given titles. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that it takes a minimum of eleven years to become a doctor. This includes a four year undergraduate degree, four year medical degree, and a minimum of three years spent in an internship or residency program.
In contrast, it takes an estimated six to eight years to become a nurse practitioner. The number of years depends on whether they decide to pursue their master’s degree or doctorate in nursing practice after obtaining their bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Licensing
It’s easy to mistakenly assume that all licensed medical providers operate under a unified governing body, but there are specific licensing bodies, exams, and requirements for recertification that are specific to an individual’s education and training.
For instance, doctors must pass a standardized national exam depending on which type of doctor they want to become (for an additional resource regarding the difference between MDs and DOs, visit the American Medical Association). After passing this test, doctors must meet the standards and licensing requirements set by the medical board in their state.
Nurse practitioners also have to pass a standardized national exam to obtain their nursing license, but the exam for advanced licensing varies depending on their state of practice. Each state also has its own board of nursing that serves as the governing body for nurses and nurse practitioners.
Scope of Practice
Both doctors and nurse practitioners must practice according to the standards determined by their state board, but the ability of each varies greatly depending on their training and area of specialty. Nurse practitioners must pick a specific field of medicine (i.e. psychiatry, geriatric, women’s health) to specialize in prior to finishing their degree. Doctors are trained to practice in almost every kind of clinical setting and then specialize or even change specialties once they have earned their medical degree and achieved their license.
This means that nurse practitioners are limited to their chosen specialty and training, while doctors may practice in whatever capacity they desire. Doctors must still work within their state’s requirements and regulations, and obtain any additional certifications that may be necessary.
One Primary Goal
Although doctors and nurse practitioners differ in their length of schooling, licensing, and scope of practice, it is evident that the ultimate goal of each profession is the same: to promote the health and wellness of their patients to the best of their abilities.
I’ve heard from patients who strongly dislike one role or the other, saying they prefer only to see a doctor because they had a negative experience in the past with a nurse practitioner or vice versa. However, evaluate any biases and consider that every clinician is different in the way they approach and provide patient care. Ask around, do your research, and be open to seeing a doctor or nurse practitioner believing that they both have your best interests at heart!
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