Article Title:

Comparing Nurse Practitioner Services to Doctors

Summary:
The role of a Nurse Practitioner is often very confusing to patients. Many see t
his medical professional in the place of a doctor. In fact, her role in the priv
ate practice and hospital setting is closer to that of a doctor than a nurse. Th
e Nurse Practitioner actually has more education than a Registered Nurse and thu
s more duties. Despite appearances, those duties are not entirely the same as a
doctor s role.
Keywords:
Nurse Practitioners
Article Text:
Comparing Nurse Practitioner Services to Doctors
Co-Editor-in-Chief, Tracy E. Austin, MD
Friday, February 19, 2010 - 07:01 PM

Services compared to Doctors

There are times when a doctor will be called away from his or her office so that
another patient can be treated at the hospital. The doctor will not be back to
the office for several hours. What does this mean for a patient who has an appoi
ntment at the office? If a nurse practitioner is available, the receptionist or
nurse can give the patient an option to see that person. Most patients will be f
ine with this, but some may be more confused as to the qualifications that a nur
se practitioner has in comparison to their regular doctor.
This is an everyday occurrence for patients. The Arizona Republic newspaper repo
rted in February 2009, During the past five years, the number of nurse practition
ers in the United States has increased by nearly 40 percent, to 125,000, accordi
ng to estimates by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. It is thought thi
s jump is because of a doctor shortage and having a nurse practitioner is a way
to provide health services to everyone when needed. Many have little or no infor
mation about nurse practitioners and just as many have misconceptions.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
A Nurse practitioner is a medical professional that cares for a patient with a f
ocus on the patient s overall well-being. They make diagnoses, ordering test and p
rescribing medicine. A major element is they do not need to and are not required
to consult a doctor. Nurse practitioners are working in many types of practices
from family health to dermatology. Even though these professionals are not rest
ricted in practicing medicine, if a nurse practitioner comes across a condition
they have questions about, they may consult with another medical expert. Nurse p
ractitioners are regulated by the state they are licensed in and each state vari
es.
Nurse practitioners actually perform 80 percent of required medical procedures.
Another title for a nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse. Nurse prac
titioner duties also include:
Taking referrals from other health professional and making referrals
Recommending physical therapy
Conducting annual physicals
Counseling and educating patients
Reading lab tests and x-rays
Manage medications
Healthy promotions for the community and lifestyles
Are Nurse Practitioners Qualified?
Yes, nurse practitioners are qualified. These medical professionals are more tha
n registered nurses because of an advanced education and training. They work wit
h doctors and have qualifications to treat acute and chronic illnesses. Generall
y, nurse practitioners have Masters degrees, while others have begun earning the
ir doctorate. As of now, this is acceptable; however, doctorates will be require
d for nurse practitioners starting in 2015. These medical professions have hundr
eds of hands-on training opportunities with supervision and work under medical g
uidelines.
Doctor vs. Nurse Practitioner
Following is a summary of the differences between a doctor s education, qualificat
ion, responsibilities, and restrictions:
Doctors have more extensive education and training as well as having more respon
sibility.
Doctors are required to see a certain amount of patients in a day whereas nurse
practitioners have a reputation for a dedicated bedside manner, which allows the
m more time with each patient.
Research has shown that nurse practitioners cost less than doctors. Nurse practi
tioners also might cost less because they try to dispense fewer prescriptions.
Nurse practitioners are just another option when it comes to receiving health ca
re. Doctors are often the first choice with patients because of the extended qua
lifications they have obtained.
Nurse practitioners are more often affiliated with patient advocacy activities i
n comparison with doctors although doctors often participate in community organi
zations as well.
Respect for Nurse Practitioners
When patients are told that the doctor is out, but the nurse practitioners is av
ailable, there are mixed reactions. Often the patient has the option to reschedu
le to see the regular doctor instead. Nurse practitioners notice a lack of respe
ct from every angle. Yet, when a patient is seen by and then experiences how a n
urse practitioner is, they usually find that nurse practitioners are just as wor
thy as the doctors.
Normally, nurse practitioners work with the doctor at the office, yet it is beco
ming popular for nurse practitioners to open their own offices. This gives them
independence to create a location where they can create an atmosphere that allow
s them to concentrate on patients and provide same day appointments.
Even though nurse practitioners are sometimes considered a substitute for doctor
s, doctors are more qualified; however, they both provide quality care. Statisti
cs show that there are currently more than two million nursing jobs which makes
it the largest area in the health care profession concerning jobs.
When visiting a medical office and having the choice between a doctor or a nurse
practitioner, a patient can now decide with more confidence knowing that a nurs
e practitioner is a very qualified medical professional. For referenced and reso
urced information, go to http://www.smilemd.com/nurse-practitioner/comparing-nur
se-practitioner-services-to-doctors.aspx
Resources about the Author:
http://www.smilemd.com instantly schedules nationwide online medical and dental
appointments for <a href="http://www.smilemd.com/blog/article.aspx">doctors dent
ists nurse practitioners nyc</a>. Patient versions of medical & dental articles
are library referenced for online publication by co-editors-in-chief Judy J. Joh
nson DDS and Tracy E. Austin, MD. Dr. Johnson is a member of The New York Academ
y of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Austin is a member of the A.M.A., American Medical
Writers Association and the Association of Health Care Journalists.