What is a Nurse Practitioner? Doctors vs. Nurse Practitioners

Published Oct 25, 2018

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Updated Oct 12, 2023

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Est. reading time: 3 minutes

Key points

  • Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are licensed healthcare clinicians who specialize in managing patient's health conditions, treating injuries and illnesses, and supporting prevention. They usually specialize in specific medical fields and are required to have a master's degree in nursing to practice.
  • Medical Doctors (MDs) are able to diagnose conditions, treat patients for all ailments, and write prescriptions. They have a well-rounded education that overlaps with all specialties. NPs, on the other hand, can also diagnose conditions and prescribe medications, but their training is less comprehensive than that of MDs.
  • Due to a shortage of doctors across the United States, many healthcare facilities are relying on NPs to meet patient needs. Patients willing to see NPs may receive care more quickly than those insisting on seeing traditional physicians.
  • The healthcare landscape is changing, with an increasing number of NPs potentially filling the gap caused by a shortage of doctors. However, there is contention around allowing NPs to practice without supervision, especially as healthcare reform necessitates greater accessibility and care team accountability.
  • Understanding the difference between NPs and MDs can be challenging due to overlapping job descriptions. Key differences include the requirement for NPs to have physician supervision in many states, and the more extensive and comprehensive training received by MDs.
What is a Nurse Practitioner? Doctors vs. Nurse Practitioners

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), nurse practitioners, or NPs as they are sometimes referred, are trained, licensed and independent healthcare clinicians concentrated on managing patient's health conditions including treating injuries and illnesses, as well as supporting prevention. Licensed as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nurse practitioners usually specialize, or even sub-specialize, in a specific medical specialty. Common specialty areas include family practice, pediatrics and women's health, whereas sub-specialties may be in dermatology, cardiology, oncology or behavioral health and psychiatry. NPs generally are required to have a master's degree in nursing to practice, while a doctoral degree in nursing practice (DNP) is becoming a more preferred degree track for this profession.

Nurse Practitioner vs. Medical Doctor 

An MD is a doctor of medicine. Doctors are able to diagnose conditions, treat patients for all ailments, and write prescriptions. While a doctor may refer a patient for specialized care, such as to a neurologist, the physician has a well-rounded education that overlaps with all specialties. An NP is a nurse practitioner. This is sometimes confused with an RN, which is a registered nurse. Whereas the RN cannot prescribe medications, the nurse practitioner is licensed to do so, as well as diagnose conditions. Some states and cities have differing laws and regulations that require physicians to oversee NPs, but other areas allow NPs to work without oversight. In 34 states around the country nurse practitioners are lobbying the government to lift restrictions that are impairing their ability to help patients. Currently, only 16 states allow NPs to work without the encumbrance of MD supervision. NPs are sometimes called the bridge that connects RNs and MDs: they have two-years more education than registered nurses, but they have less training than MDs. Also, it is key to remember that an NP is licensed by the Nursing Board, whereas doctors are licensed by the Medical Doctor's Board.

The Difference in Accessibility

The United States is facing shortages of doctors all over the country, particularly in primary care. Because of this, many hospitals, private clinics, and urgent care locations are relying upon nurse practitioners to fill the excess need. Patients who demand to see traditional physicians may experience longer waiting periods before appointments, whereas patients who accept NPs could receive care more expediently. Because of this, many urgent care centers and walk-in and retail clinics are staffing nurse practitioners instead of physicians. For the services offered by the majority of urgent cares, NPs are fully licensed and capable of treating all illnesses and injuries. That said, if you have a desire to be seen by a doctor at an urgent care, do some research on your local clinic to make sure they staff physicians.

How Healthcare Is Changing

While the growing number of nurse practitioners could fill the need for more doctors in the US, many doctors are fighting not to let NPs care for patients without supervision. According to Bloomberg Business Week the United States is facing a shortage of 13,000 doctors, which could grow to more than 130,000 within 12 years. Meanwhile, there are 155,000 NPs willing to fill that need. In the near future, that could spell more freedom for NPs to practice without supervision, particularly in urgent care settings and with the roll-out of healthcare reform whereby creating the need for greater accessibility and care team accountability. Understanding the difference between nurse practitioners and traditional physicians can be difficult, because in many cases the job descriptions overlap. The key differences are that many states require NPs to have physician supervision, and that medical doctors have much more extensive and comprehensive training.

FAQs

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a trained, licensed, and independent healthcare clinician focused on managing patient's health conditions, including treating injuries and illnesses, and supporting prevention. They are licensed as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and usually specialize in a specific medical specialty. They are required to have a master's degree in nursing to practice, and a doctoral degree in nursing practice is becoming more preferred.

How does a Nurse Practitioner differ from a Medical Doctor?

A Nurse Practitioner is licensed to diagnose conditions and prescribe medications, similar to a Medical Doctor. However, some states and cities require physicians to oversee NPs. NPs have two years more education than registered nurses but have less training than MDs. They are licensed by the Nursing Board, whereas doctors are licensed by the Medical Doctor's Board.

Are Nurse Practitioners able to prescribe medications?

Yes, Nurse Practitioners are licensed to prescribe medications.

What are some common specialty areas for Nurse Practitioners?

Common specialty areas for Nurse Practitioners include family practice, pediatrics, and women's health. They can also sub-specialize in areas like dermatology, cardiology, oncology, or behavioral health and psychiatry.

Why are Nurse Practitioners becoming more prevalent in healthcare settings?

The United States is facing a shortage of doctors, particularly in primary care. To fill the excess need, many hospitals, private clinics, and urgent care locations are relying on Nurse Practitioners. This allows patients to receive care more expediently.

Are Nurse Practitioners allowed to work without the supervision of a Medical Doctor?

This varies by location. Only 16 states currently allow Nurse Practitioners to work without the supervision of a Medical Doctor. However, in 34 states, Nurse Practitioners are lobbying the government to lift these restrictions.

What is the difference in accessibility between Nurse Practitioners and Medical Doctors?

Due to the shortage of doctors, patients demanding to see traditional physicians may experience longer waiting periods before appointments. Patients who accept NPs, on the other hand, could receive care more quickly.

How is the role of Nurse Practitioners expected to change in the future?

With the growing number of Nurse Practitioners and the shortage of doctors, there could be more freedom for NPs to practice without supervision in the near future, particularly in urgent care settings and with the roll-out of healthcare reform.


Dr. Rob Rohatsch leverages his vast experience in ambulatory medicine, on-demand healthcare, and consumerism to spearhead strategic initiatives. With expertise in operations, revenue cycle management, and clinical practices, he also contributes his knowledge to the academic world, having served in the US Air Force and earned an MD from Jefferson Medical College. Presently, he is part of the faculty at the University of Tennessee's Haslam School of Business, teaching in the Executive MBA Program, and holds positions on various boards, including chairing The TJ Lobraico Foundation.

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Medically reviewed

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History

Solv’s team of medical writers and experts review and update our articles when new information becomes available.

  • October 25 2018

    Written by Solv Editorial Team

    Medically reviewed by: Dr. Rob Rohatsch, MD

Solv’s team of medical writers and experts review and update our articles when new information becomes available.

  • October 25 2018

    Written by Solv Editorial Team

    Medically reviewed by: Dr. Rob Rohatsch, MD

Topics in this article

Primary CareUrgent CareHealthcare CostsHealth InsuranceMedical ImagingPediatric CareWomens HealthMental HealthDermatologyWellness

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