So, you made a doctor’s appointment — but you ended up seeing a nurse practitioner. What’s the difference between the two? And should you see one instead of the other?
It’s common for patients to see a nurse practitioner in a doctor’s office. Whether or not that makes a difference to the care you receive depends on both your medical needs and where you live.
A doctor attends medical school and completes a residency before receiving certification, a process that takes about 11 years of postsecondary education and training. A nurse practitioner completes six to eight years of postsecondary training: four years in nursing school and two to four years in a graduate nursing program.
In terms of care, the responsibilities of doctors and nurse practitioners overlap. Both diagnose patients and prescribe medications; however, there are some differences. For example, doctors can admit patients to the hospital, but nurse practitioners cannot.
The following chart covers the general differences between these two types of health care providers.
| Category | Nurse Practitioner | Doctor |
| Education and Training | Six to eight years postsecondary | 11+ years postsecondary |
| Licensed | √ | √ |
| Oversees complicated cases | Varies by state | √ |
| Diagnoses chronic and acute conditions | √ | √ |
| Orders, conducts and interprets diagnostic tests such as X-rays and lab work | √ | √ |
| Counsels patients on health topics such as lifestyle choices, disease prevention and nutrition | √ | √ |
| Can specialize in variety of areas, including oncology, gerontology, family health, pediatrics, women’s health and psychiatry | √ | √ |
| Performs surgery | Assists | √ |
| Prescribes controlled substances | √ | √ |
| Prescribes medications | √ | √ |
| Delivers babies | Varies by state | √ |
| Performs physical exams | √ | √ |
| Practices independently | Varies by state | √ |
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