Nurse Practitioners vs. Family Physicians

If you think you have strep throat and need to see a doctor, getting an appointment with a nurse practitioner may get you on the road to recovery much more quickly than waiting to see a physician. Unlike a traditional nurse, a nurse practitioner has had more training, can diagnose some ailments and can even write prescriptions, eliminating the need to see a family physician for common sicknesses and injuries.

Identification

• According to Kids Health, a nurse practitioner is a nurse with additional training. Nurse practitioners often specialize in pediatrics or family health. While nurse practitioners have a master's degree and certification, family physicians have attended at least four years of medical school. Getting an appointment to see a doctor is usually more difficult than seeing a nurse practitioner.

Function

• A nurse practitioner can do much of what a family physician can do, such as treat common sicknesses, write prescriptions, order tests, refer you to a specialist and educate you and your children about healthy practices. However, some states do require a doctor to cosign prescriptions before dispensing medicine. Also, doctors have more training in dealing with more complex injuries and diseases.

Benefits

• According to Kids Health, many people prefer nurse practitioners because they have more time to spend with patients. Family physicians tend to have more patients and have to limit the amount of time they can spend with each patient. Doctors and nurse practitioners often work in the same facility and consult with one another in many situations anyway.

Effects

• Nurse practitioners can treat more than just colds and the flu. According to Kids Health, they are also trained to deal with respiratory and ear infections, asthma and allergies. Many nurse practitioners also specialize in disease prevention and can be found in community centers and schools, making them more accessible than family physicians.

Misconceptions

• According to the Center for Nursing Advocacy, the media often suggests that doctors provide better care for patients than advanced nurses. However, there are numerous instances where nurse practitioners have provided better care than doctors because they have more time to devote to their patients and are more cost-effective for patients.