Nurse Practitioner or Doctor: What’s the Difference?

It’s a question Community Health Care, Inc. hears at a lot at their medical offices. What is a Nurse Practitioner? Why would I want to see a nurse instead of a doctor? And in many ways, when you’re sick and are looking for healthcare, these are legitimate questions to ask.
Often Nurse Practitioners are looked at with a stigma. That somehow, because they are a nurse they are less qualified to provide healthcare. However, nothing could be further from the truth. In many ways, Nurse Practitioners are making high-quality healthcare even more assessable to all and are an important part of the medical field.
Let’s review the most basic differences: A doctor has a degree from medical school (four years, either an MD or a DO) and has gone through residency (anywhere from three to 10 additional years of training). They are licensed to practice medicine or surgery (or both) independently, write prescriptions, etc. They are board-certified, if qualified, on the national level and must obtain a state license where they practice.
A Nurse Practitioner is a nurse with an advanced degree beyond the Registered Nurse, usually a masters but sometimes a PhD. Whether they practice completely independently or not varies by state, but in many states they do. They usually are highly specialized, like doctors who specialize, and prescribe medicine under their own DEA number. They are also nationally certified and licensed by the state.
So what does all of that mean? Let’s say for instance you’re not feeling well. You’ve had a fever for a day or two and feel like it’s time to get some help. You call your doctor’s office and they tell you that your doctor isn’t available, but they give you the option to see a Nurse Practitioner.
You’re a little unsure but because you feel so sick you decide to take the appointment.
When you get to the appointment and meet the Nurse Practitioner you’re surprised to find that the visit was virtually the same as seeing your regular doctor. The Nurse Practitioner gave you a full examination, made a diagnosis, prescribed you some medicine and sent you on your way to get better. The only difference was that instead of having to wait for an appointment, you were able to get in that very same day and get the care you needed.
By offering an array of provider services, including those performed by Board Certified Nurse Practitioners, Community Health Care, Inc. is able to give patients the care they need when they need it.
Community Health Care, Inc. is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and is a Federally Qualified Health Center which provides primary medical, dental and mental health services to over 50,000 mostly health uninsured persons annually in Cumberland, Gloucester and Cape May counties.
Now operating 18 Community and School-based health centers, Community Health Care, Inc. is dedicated to serving the community with accessible, affordable, culturally competent, high-quality health services. For more information visit www.chcinj. org or call 856-451-4700 to make an appointment.