#619 Nurse Practitioner Vs Doctor
You're here because you want to know what the difference is between a nurse practitioner and a medical doctor, and you're in the right place. In this post, we'll cover what a nurse practitioner is, guide you through the differences between a nurse practitioner and a doctor, share how to become a nurse practitioner, review how much a nurse practitioner can make, how to become a nurse practitioner, and explain nurse practitioner authority.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse practitioners (NPs), simply put, are nurses who have completed a master's or doctor-level program that has provided them with clinical and didactic training that surpasses the training of a registered nurse (RN) and has prepared them to
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A few years of work experience is typically preferred if not required before you can then enter a nurse practitioner graduate program. A majority of NPs complete their graduate degrees for primary care, but they can specialize as well such as public health, family, pediatrics, gerontology, primary care, acute care, and psychiatry.
In order to practice, once a graduate program is completed, NP must become licensed. Licensure is available through either the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board or the American Nurses Credentialing Center and then must be verified by their state board of nursing.
Nurse Practitioner Authority Explained
While all NPs are highly trained and complete rigorous educational and clinical studies in order to work as healthcare providers, not all states allow them to practice independently or with full authority. Their scope of practice is therefore limited by certain restrictions in these states. There are three categories for what is referred to as nurse practitioner authority: restricted practice, reduced practice, and full practice