Nurse Practitioner Vs. Doctor

The main differences between nurse practitioners and doctors are:

• Education: Doctors earn an MD and complete a residency, combining for a total of 10-14 years of education. Nurse Practitioners need to pass the NCLEX, pursue an MSN or DNP degree, and possibly complete a residency, combining for a total of 6-8 years of education.

• Patient care: Doctors generally have more authority to create patient treatment plans, prescribe medication, and perform operations. Nurse Practitioners focus more on managing patient wellbeing and communicating/collaborating on treatment priorities and plans.

• Salary and job outlook: Doctors earn about 70% more than Nurse Practitioners, but Nurse Practitioner jobs are expected to grow at a much faster rate over the next decade.

If you’re a current or prospective healthcare worker, you might be wondering what the difference between Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Doctors is. After all, even though the positions are similar, they have different education requirements and allow you to perform different tasks.

For example, while a Doctor is able to prescribe medicine entirely on their own, NPs often need direct oversight from a doctor or physician to do the same. And there are other vital differences as well.

Overall, to find out more about all of the important differences between an NP and a doctor, this article will dive into everything you need to know.

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse Practitioners, or NPs, are professional healthcare workers who serve a vital role in hospitals, clinics, and other facilities. Generally speaking, NPs work with patients to help them stay healthy and may pursue certain specialties.

This profession typically involves a more intimate connection with patients, so interpersonal skills are a must. In fact, one of the biggest traits that set NPs apart from other health care providers is an emphasis on the health and well-being of their patients.

Essential focuses for NPs are often health promotion, disease prevention, and health education and counseling. With that in mind, NPs really do play a crucial role in helping their patients make better health and lifestyle choices.

And as mentioned, many NPs also pursue a variety of specializations. Some of the most common of these specializations include:

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Similar to a physician, FNPs provide primary care and education for patients. They also typically collaborate with several other health care professionals.

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP). These professionals work with a wide age range of patients to assess, diagnose and plan for their specific health needs.

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP). AGACNPs work specifically with adults and specialize in diseases, ailments, and illnesses that are life-threatening and worsen with age.

• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP). These specialists generally work in hospitals and focus on treating children from birth through transition to adulthood. They often work with families and other healthcare professionals.

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). PMHNPs specialize in assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with psychiatric disorders. As such, it’s common for these professionals to work in psychiatric facilities, correctional facilities, and other locations with a focus on mental health treatment.

• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP). As the name might suggest, WHNPs specialize in women’s health. They usually work with women of all ages, providing gynecological treatments, prenatal services, and other forms of care.

What Requirements Does Nurse Practioner Have?

NPs serve a vital role in the lives of their patients, which is why it’s imperative for them to obtain the proper education requirements and certifications.

Typically, an NP might need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), followed by an MSN or DNP-NP degree. Both Master’s degrees can help you become a better communicator, give you a better understanding of ethics, and allow you to become a more thoughtful and inspiring leader. In general, here are the definitions of each degree:

• MSN Degree: a graduate degree that will allow you to learn specialized knowledge and further your skills. Other examples of careers you can pursue with an MSN degree include nurse administrator, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse educator.

• DNP-NP Degree: a doctoral program that allows you to learn the leadership skills required for advanced nursing roles. One of the most common jobs taken by those who achieve a DNP is Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

Additionally, depending on the state, NPs will also require specific licenses to practice. Even with the best education, NP won’t be able to work in a facility without these licenses. If you want to learn more about what kinds of licenses are required to practice in your state, it’s important to visit your state’s website.

What is a Doctor?

In many ways, a Doctor’s role is similar to an NPs. However, Doctors could also be described as having a more scientific approach to healthcare rather than an interpersonal approach.

Typically, Doctors will meet with patients for the express purpose of managing and treating illnesses and injuries. Doctors may see the same patient regularly or see strangers all the time. Doctors can also administer medication and prescribe treatments without oversight. Overall, common duties of a Doctor include:

• Gathering information about a patient’s symptoms

• Preforming examinations and administering lab work to diagnose problems

• Prescribing medication and other treatments

• Ordering and performing important procedures when needed

• Ordering and/or performing procedures as needed

• Providing follow-up care for treated patients

If it sounds like doctors are there every step of the way, that’s because they often are. Of course, the level of involvement a Doctor has with patient care can depend on that Doctor’s specialization. As with NPs, Doctors can also specialize in many different branches of healthcare.

What are the Requirements for Becoming a Doctor?

Whether performing operations or prescribing medicine, Doctors have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. That means it’s crucial for Doctors to meet their many education and certification requirements.

Usually, a Doctor will start with a Bachelor of Medicine or a Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). This four-year education will then be followed by the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), which will determine possible entry into medical school.

From there, a prospective doctor will complete several years of medical school, as well as at least one residency program, before they’ll be qualified.

Additionally, depending on the state, Doctors will also require a specific state medical license and board certification to practice. To learn more about what kinds of licenses are required to practice in your state, it’s important to visit your state’s website.

What Are Some Differences Between Nurses and Doctors?

There are a few crucial differences between Nurse Practitioners and Doctors that can help you determine which career you want to pursue. Here are those differences outlined:

1. Requirements

   While we’ve already mentioned the requirements for both careers, it’s important to note the key differences between those requirements. First, when it comes to Bachelor’s degrees, an NP will typically pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), while a Doctor will earn a Bachelor of Medicine or a Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).

   Afterward, a prospective NP will need to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to advance their education, while a Doctor will need to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) test.

   Then, NP students can pursue either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. From start to finish, all of these degrees will likely take between six and eight years. On the other hand, a Doctor will enter medical school, and their total education will likely take between ten and 14 years.

   Of course, even after earning a degree, both NPs and Doctors will need to earn the appropriate licenses and certifications for their state. Both may also choose to do a residency program, but Doctors will be required to complete one.

2. Salary and Job Outlook

   Doctors and NPs have different average salaries in the U.S., in part due to the difference in education requirements. For example:

   • Doctor: The average Doctor in the U.S. earns $179,000 per year ($86.10 per hour). Doctors in the 90th percentile can earn up to $340,000, while Doctors in the 10th percentile might earn only $94,000. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow by at least 7% and produce 55,400 job opportunities nationwide.

   • Nurse Practitioner: The average NP in the U.S. earns $104,380 per year ($50.18 per hour). NPs in the 90th percentile can earn up to $141,000, while NPs in the 10th percentile might earn only $77,000. Between 2019 and 2029, the career is expected to grow by at least 45%.

   With those differences in mind, the biggest takeaways are that Doctors earn a higher salary than NPs, but NPs have higher job growth. This means that while you might earn more as a Doctor, you could potentially have more job opportunities as an NP.

3. Patient Care

   One of the biggest differences between Doctors and Nurses is a Doctor’s ability to prescribe medicine and perform operations. For example, if a patient comes in with appendicitis, a Doctor would be able to prescribe medication for the illness and schedule a surgery that they will perform themselves.

   Meanwhile, an NP might be able to prescribe medicine for the illness with the approval of a Doctor but will not be performing any surgeries.

   In general, a Doctor’s work is more task-oriented and focuses on helping those same patients along with their recovery. This scientific approach will include things like prescribing medication and tests, as well as performing operations.

   On the other hand, an NP will discuss treatment options with patients and spend more time managing their personal wellbeing.

   A simple difference like this can completely change how someone operates in the healthcare industry. If a Doctor is responsible for prescribing a medication, and an NP administers it, that means the Doctor is far more liable and responsible for the patient’s health and wellbeing.

Nurse Practioner vs. Doctor FAQ

1. Is medical school easier as a Nurse?

   Yes, medical school can be easier as a Nurse. Being a Nurse gives you an advantage in knowing the ins and outs of the healthcare industry, as well as some familiarity with topics covered in medical school.

   However, it is important to note that medical school is considered substantially more difficult than nursing school. Your volume of study will be much greater, and you’ll be held to a more competitive standard. Though, being a Nurse will help give you an edge in this competitive environment.

2. What can a doctor do that an NP Cannot?

   What Doctors can do that NPs can’t is to prescribe medication. While it depends on the state, most NPs can only prescribe medication when it’s approved by a physician, or they cannot prescribe medication at all. The three types of state policy implemented include:

   • Full-Practice: NPs can fully evaluate and treat patients without the approval of a physician in the following states.

     (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Northern Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming).

   • Reduced-Authority: These are states where NPs can prescribe medication with physician oversight. (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wisconsin).

   • Restricted: These are states where NPs cannot prescribe, diagnose, or treat patients without physician oversight. (California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia).

   Additionally, many Doctors can perform operations and surgeries, whereas NPs cannot. In this case, the rule applies to every U.S. State.

3. What is the average GPA of a medical student?

   The average overall GPA of a medical student is 3.71. More specifically, the average science GPA for medical students is 3.64 science, while the average non-science GPA is 3.79.

   If you’ve been a Nurse for a while and your GPA doesn’t meet these averages, it can be a good idea to take some prerequisite classes before you apply to medical school. That way, you can raise your GPA and make your overall application stronger.

4. Can an NP call themselves a doctor?

   No, NPs cannot legally call themselves a Doctor. Even in states that allow full practice for NPs, the education requirements, licenses, and certifications required to become an NP are different than those for Doctors. Therefore, it would be illegal in any state for an NP to professionally refer to themselves as a Doctor.

5. How long does it take to go from a Nurse to a Doctor?

   On average, it takes a minimum of seven years to go from a Nurse to a Doctor. This includes two years of basic and relevant sciences, one to two years of clinical rotations, and three to seven years of residency training.

   Unfortunately, being a Nurse will not reduce the amount of time you need to spend in medical school. Though, you may find that it’s easy to complete courses in a timely manner.

Final Thoughts

While Nurse Practitioners and Doctors both play an integral role in the healthcare industry, they are different professionals with different specialties.

In general, becoming an NP takes two to six years less than becoming a Doctor, but it comes with restrictions like being unable to prescribe medication without the approval from a physician or being unable to perform surgery. However, NPs tend to play a more down-to-earth role in patients’ lives, focusing more on interpersonal communication than raw data.

Overall, you can have a successful career in healthcare whether you pursue a career as a Doctor or an NP. Just keep in mind that the education requirements, salary, and patient care will be different depending on the career you choose.

Author

Jack Flynn

Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.