Find Nurse Practitioners near you

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FAQs:

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A nurse practitioner (NP) is a nurse with a graduate-level education degree. Additional training, skills, and experience in advanced practice nursing give NPs the authority to do more than registered nurses. They can perform many of the same services that doctors provide. NPs provide patient-centered care. They focus on disease prevention, living a healthy lifestyle, and understanding patients' health concerns.

What Does a Nurse Practitioner Do?

Autonomously and in collaboration with healthcare professionals and other individuals, NPs provide a full range of primary, acute, and specialty healthcare services, including:

1. Ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic tests such as lab work and X-rays.

2. Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and injuries.

3. Prescribing medications and other treatments.

4. Managing patients' overall care.

5. Counseling.

6. Educating patients on disease prevention and positive health and lifestyle choices.

Where Can Nurse Practitioners Work?

An NP can serve as a primary healthcare provider to give medical advice or as a specialty care provider focusing on a specific group of people. They work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:

- Physicians’ offices

- Clinics

- Hospitals

- Emergency rooms

- Urgent care sites

- Nursing homes

- Colleges

What is the Difference Between a Nurse Practitioner and a Doctor?

A nurse practitioner isn’t a doctor, but in certain states, NPs can serve as primary care providers. In these states, they have full practice authority. That means they can work independently without a doctor’s supervision.

In the remaining states, NPs don’t have full practice authority. They need a doctor to approve certain decisions about people’s care and prescribe medication.

The education and training of doctors and NPs differ as well. Doctors must go to medical school and earn a post-graduate degree such as a Doctor of Medicine (MD). Doctors spend more time training than nurse practitioners.

What is the Difference Between a Nurse Practitioner and a Physician's Assistant?

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants (PAs) provide many of the same services. However, their approach to patient care is different.

Physician assistants train and provide care using the medical model, similar to doctors. That means they focus on testing, diagnosing, and treating the disease. In addition, PAs specialize in a particular area of medicine or a specific condition.

Nurse practitioners train and provide care using different nursing services. That means they focus on the patient. NPs usually specialize in a particular patient population rather than a specific type of medicine.

What is the Difference Between a Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse?

Two nursing careers that are often considered side by side are registered nurses (RNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). Here’s a breakdown of the day-to-day tasks, education and certification requirements, and salaries.

1. RNs focus on patient assessment and care implementation, often working under a physician's supervision in diverse settings like hospitals, schools, and private homes. NPs, with more advanced education, enjoy greater autonomy, in diagnosing conditions, prescribing medication, and managing patient care independently.

2. RNs require a bachelor’s degree in nursing and must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for licensure, while NPs need a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) or higher, more clinical hours, and additional certifications based on their specialty.

3. NPs generally earn higher salaries due to their advanced education and clinical responsibilities, but both RNs and NPs enjoy generous compensation and the ability to specialize in areas like pediatrics, geriatrics, or emergency care.

Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe?

Depending on the classification of drugs, state regulations, and if NPs have full practice authority, there are medications NPs cannot prescribe.

In all states except Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and West Virginia, NPs can prescribe medications like physicians. NPs in these three states may need physician approval for certain prescriptions. Some NPs are also prohibited from prescribing Schedule II drugs like Adderall, methadone, or fentanyl. However, in many states, NPs can prescribe several common medications that doctors also prescribe, such as antibiotics, antifungals, hypertensive medications, and diabetic medications.

Can Nurse Practitioners Diagnose?

A nurse practitioner (NP) is a nurse or medical professional who has advanced clinical education and training. NPs share many of the same duties as doctors. They perform physical exams, diagnose and treat diseases and other health conditions, and prescribe medication. A nurse practitioner must have a graduate-level degree of education.

What is a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner?

Primary care nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary care services, clinical services, or health consultations to patients across the healthcare continuum. Nurse practitioners can pursue multiple pathways in primary care, including adult, family, and gerontological health.

The primary care nurse practitioner career offers a unique pathway for licensed registered nurses who are ready to take the next step into advanced-practice nursing. Primary care nurse practitioners are exposed to exciting opportunities in career development, specialization, and scope – providing more opportunities to have a more involved role in patients’ health journey.

What to Expect During a Visit with a Nurse Practitioner?

A visit with a nurse practitioner is like a visit with a physician. Expect a thorough review of your medical history, health and wellness support, a physical exam, questions about your symptoms or health concerns, and an explanation of your care plan. They take time to answer your questions and discuss your goals to ensure you understand your health and treatment options. Your nurse practitioner might also remind you of any preventive care needed, like screenings for cervical, colorectal, or prostate cancer.

What is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)?

APRNs include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives, and all play a pivotal role in the future of health care. APRNs are often primary care providers and are at the forefront of providing preventive care services to the public.

APRNs treat and diagnose illnesses, advise the public on health issues, manage chronic disease, and engage in continuous education to remain ahead of any technological, methodological, or other developments in the field. APRNs hold at least a Master’s degree, in addition to the initial nursing education and licensing required for all Registered Nurses (RNs).

Types of Nurse Practitioner Specialties

In addition to being general nurse practitioners, NPs can also specialize in a specific population. They often attend a nursing program that allows them to specialize in this area and obtain clinical competency. If they choose a specialization, they'll also need to become certified in the specific specialty area.

Here are some of the popular nurse practitioner specialties:

1. Family Nurse Practitioner

Family nurse practitioners or Family Practice Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) provide primary health care services for individuals and families throughout their lifespans. They often act as a primary care provider for their patients, and this can be especially rewarding for those who enjoy developing long-term relationships and getting to know people over time.

2. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide care to patients in acute care and/or hospital settings. They see patients when they are sick, admitted to the hospital, or after a surgical procedure and/or trauma. Their focus is solely on caring for the adult population with complex diseases.

3. Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

Aesthetic nurse practitioners specialize in cosmetic medical procedures that improve their patient's appearance. They examine and evaluate patients, counsel them on a variety of procedures, perform those procedures, and care for them as they recover. 

4. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Pediatric nurse practitioners are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses whose sole focus is treating children from infancy through adulthood. They see patients on a one-on-one basis, offering care ranging from well check-ups and immunizations to diagnosing illnesses and treating chronic and acute conditions. 

5. Emergency Nurse Practitioner

Emergency nurse practitioners assess, diagnose, and manage injuries and illnesses that need urgent care. They can work with or without supervision, determining which patients need the most immediate care, making decisions about treatment, monitoring patient conditions, and providing education and consultation.

6. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners specialize in the care of adults from adolescence all the way up to geriatric care. They work with patients and their caregivers to manage chronic conditions, diseases, and other health conditions.

7. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric nurse practitioners or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) specialize in the mental health needs of adults, children, families, groups, and/or communities. They help individuals cope with different psychiatric disorders and illnesses and can also help people with substance abuse disorders. 

8. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Neonatal nurse practitioners care for premature and sick newborns, including diagnosing them, providing treatment plans, and prescribing medication. They can also assist in delivering patients in certain settings. 

9. Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

Women’s health nurse practitioners (WHNP) specialize in the comprehensive care of women throughout their lives. They focus on reproductive, obstetric, and gynecological health and usually work in a primary care office setting rather than a hospital or delivery room.

10. Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner

Orthopedic nurse practitioners focus on the care and treatment of patients suffering from musculoskeletal problems. These can include disease and/or injuries of the bones, muscles, joints, and supporting connective tissue. 

11. Oncology Nurse Practitioner

Oncology nurse practitioners provide comprehensive care to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. They collaborate with other healthcare providers, including physicians, to develop treatment plans for cancer patients.

How to Become a Nurse Practitioner

The steps to becoming a nurse practitioner include graduate-level education and advanced clinical training. NPs begin their careers as registered nurses (RNs) before completing the additional nurse practitioner requirements.

As an NP, you can expand your clinical practice to include responsibilities such as diagnosing patients, creating treatment plans, preventive care, medication management, patient care, and personalized healthcare. In many states, you’ll also have prescriptive authority without requiring physician oversight.

1. Nurse Practitioner Education Requirements

Becoming a nurse practitioner takes six to eight years, including undergraduate and graduate-level training. Graduate programs typically take two to four years to complete, depending on the type of degree. In comparison, medical doctors (MDs) generally complete 10-14 years of education and advanced clinical training.

2. Prerequisites to Becoming an NP

The first step in the nurse practitioner path is to complete the education and training required to become a registered nurse (RN). While an associate degree can satisfy RN-level educational requirements, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is necessary for graduate school admission. Many colleges and universities offer programs specifically designed for RNs who need their BSNs to apply to become nurse practitioners.

3. Nurse Practitioner Degree Requirements

You can choose from two options when considering nurse practitioner schooling — a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). An MSN program usually takes two years to complete, and a DNP program is typically four years. An MSN or DNP degree will qualify you to become a nurse practitioner, but NPs who have earned their doctorate tend to have better career opportunities. Many employers and state licensing boards now require a DNP degree.

4. Accreditation Requirements

After completing their MSN or DNP, nurse practitioners must secure national accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or another specialty certification board. This accreditation confirms that the NP has completed all necessary coursework and clinical training and they’re eligible for an APRN license to practice. Since each state issues licenses independently, aspiring NPs should consider where they intend to practice and ensure their training meets the licensure board’s requirements.

Why NPs are Important

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are essential to the healthcare system because they combine clinical expertise with a strong focus on patient-centered care. Here are other reasons why they are important.

1. NP Credibility: NPs are more than just health care providers; they are mentors, educators, researchers, and administrators. Their involvement in professional organizations and participation in health policy activities at the local, state, national, and international levels helps to advance the role of the NP and ensure that professional standards are maintained.

2. Lower Health Care Costs: By providing high-quality care and counseling, NPs can lower the cost of health care for patients. For example, patients who see NPs as their primary care provider often have fewer emergency room visits, shorter hospital stays, and lower medication costs.

3. Patient Satisfaction: With more than a billion visits made to NPs each year, patients report an extremely high level of satisfaction with the care they receive.

4. Primary Care Shortage Solution: By offering high-quality, cost-effective, patient-centered health care, NPs provide more than 431,000 solutions to the primary care shortage facing America today.

What Issues Can a Nurse Practitioner Treat?

Nurse practitioners can treat a wide range of complications, and they also help patients with disease and illness prevention as well. Several of the procedures that nurse practitioners commonly perform include but are not limited to the following:

1. Annual physical

2. Routine flu shots

3. Blood testing

4. Flu treatment

5. Injury treatment

Patients who need a physical, blood testing, or flu shot to ensure they are healthy and prevent future illnesses should consider the benefits of visiting a nurse practitioner. They can also treat patients with minor to moderate illness and injury.

5 Things that a Nurse Practitioner Can Do that a Doctor Cannot Do

While Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Doctors (MDs/DOs) share many overlapping duties, there are unique aspects to the NP role—especially in how they approach care and patient interaction. Here are 5 things a Nurse Practitioner can do that a Doctor often does not (or cannot) do in the same way:

1. Pursue Educational Goals While Still Working. Nurse practitioner educational requirements are not as extensive or all-consuming as becoming a doctor. Although it is challenging, many NP students work full-time while going to NP school.

2. Achieve Full Credentialing Faster. The educational path to becoming a nurse practitioner is faster than that of a doctor. We can begin our NP career while aspiring physicians are still toiling in school. That does not mean that we are unqualified for our jobs. Add in our BSN schooling and many years of nursing experience, and we become competent providers.

3. Spend Less Time on Educational Requirements. In general, doctors have more significant educational requirements for practice than NPs. That translates to less time spent in lectures, conferences, and classes compared to a physician.

4. A Variety of Hospital Roles to Choose From. Nurses with advanced practice degrees are a top choice for higher nursing roles in a hospital, such as chief nursing officer or clinical educator.

5. Don’t Have to Renew Certification. Fortunately for us, nurse practitioners are not required to renew their certification once they finish their schooling and pass their tests. On the other hand, MD specialists must renew their certifications regularly.

What a Nurse Practitioner Can’t Do

The following are the 20 things that doctors can do that nurse practitioners cannot do.

1. Perform Surgery

One of the leading roles doctors can do that nurse practitioners cannot do is perform major surgery. NPs are not surgeons. They can do minor procedures such as lance boils and suture lacerations, but nurse practitioners are not allowed to perform major surgery alone. NPs can assist the physician in surgery, but their surgical role is typically relegated to supporting and educating the patient pre- and post-op.

2. Deliver Babies

One would think that a nurse practitioner specializing in Women’s Health in the OB-GYN sector could deliver babies. However, delivering a baby is one of the things that a doctor can do that a nurse practitioner cannot do. Women’s Health NPs work with patients before and after delivery but do not deliver babies independently. There is not a nurse practitioner specialty that teaches how to deliver babies. If you are interested in birthing children, you should take a different advanced nursing practice approach; that of a certified midwife.

3. Fully Practice in SNF Facilities

Currently, Medicare limits NP practice in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Medicare does not authorize nurse practitioners to conduct admission exams or monthly assessments at SNFs. With primary care providers hard to come by, NP certification at skilled nursing facilities could serve this often-overlooked population well.

4. Prescribe Medication

In about half of the US states, there is one significant role that a doctor can do that nurse practitioners cannot do; that is to prescribe medication independently. In these limited or restrictive practice states, nurse practitioners must have a doctor's approval before prescribing medication. Once doctors are legally permitted to practice, they are given free rein to prescribe any medication they see fit. Many states limit or require that NPs take additional courses to prescribe specific drugs and are governed by a long list of restrictions and actions to prescribe based on their scope of practice.

5. Be Primary Care Providers

Although the educational track of most FNP schools prepares nurse practitioners as primary care providers, the scope and practice of some states curtail this privilege. While the majority of the states recognize NPs as primary care providers, there is a handful that does not recognize NPs in this role. For instance, Michigan, known for some of the most restrictive practices for NPs, does not explicitly recognize NPs as primary care providers under state law.

6. Can Be an Ophthalmologist

While in school, doctors may choose to become an ophthalmologist as their career choice. NPs cannot be ophthalmologists or specialize in the care of the eyes as there is no NP program for this field.

To become an ophthalmologist, you must first:

• Get your medical degree

• Attend an internship before medical residency

• Complete a 3-year ophthalmology residency

• Obtain your medical license

• Pass exams

As you can see, the schooling of an NP is vastly different than that of an ophthalmologist.

7. Can be an Anesthesiologist

Although nurses can pursue an advanced degree as nurse anesthetists, they are not nurse practitioners. They are nurse anesthetists (CRNA) with their own set of rules to practice. Nurse practitioners do not have programs designed to train nurses to work with anesthetized patients. If you are interested in a career similar to an anesthesiologist, then you need to pursue a different career path and train as a CRNA.

8. Can Become a Specialist

One of the big things that a doctor can do that an NP cannot do is become a specialist in a field of medicine. Most doctors specialize in a specific field to become an expert in that area of medicine.

Some areas that a doctor may officially specialize in that an NP cannot are the following areas:

• Endocrinology

• Gastroenterology

• Infectious Disease

• Pulmonology

• Neurology

• Radiology

9. Prescribe Schedule II Medication

One thing that doctors can do that nurse practitioners cannot do in some US states is prescribe schedule II drugs. Unfortunately, a few states still place restrictions or limitations on NPs regarding independently prescribing schedule II drugs. Nurse practitioners may be required to be in a collaboration agreement with a physician or have additional educational requirements with applications necessary for permission to prescribe Schedule II medication. The scope of practice for this privilege varies widely from state to state.

10. Set Up Practice Independently

Practicing independently is an assumption for all MDs and Dos. However, autonomous practice is one thing a doctor can do that nurse practitioners cannot do in many states. Autonomous practice is when an NP goes solo in medical practice and does not need a collaborating physician for oversight. Being able to go into business to independently set up a practice to the fullest extent of their advanced education is not possible for NPs in states that restrict privileges.

11. Be a Medical Staff Member

One would assume that nurse practitioners would be permitted and even welcomed as medical staff members. However, this is one surprising thing doctors can do that a nurse practitioner cannot do. NPs are not permitted to be medical staff members in many states. Only a handful of states allow NPs to join the medical staff as full members. Other states permit NPs to reduce membership of the medical staff or none at all.

12. Prescribe Physical Therapy

As unreasonable as it seems, some states still do not allow or have laws permitting nurse practitioners to order physical therapy. While the NP scope of practice laws in a majority of states allow our profession to order physical therapy, this is one of the more archaic restrictions that delineate what doctors can do that nurse practitioners cannot do in more restrictive states. Luckily, this restriction seems to be on the way out as more and more states allow NPs to prescribe PT.

13. Sign Death Certificates

One more arguable thing that a doctor can do that an NP cannot do in some states is to sign death certificates. The scope of practice of nurse practitioner law for signing death certificates varies. Some states dictate that only a physician can sign death certificates. In contrast, some NPs are granted permission in certain circumstances (such as hospice cases or after a doctor approves).

14. Sign Disabled Person Placards

Doctors can sign disability cards without giving a thought to it being questioned. On the other hand, nurse practitioners are not allowed in some states to perform this task. Their state scope of practice will dictate if they can, with some states restricting how nurse practitioners accomplish this action, mainly with physician oversight.

15. Call Themselves Doctor

Using the title doctor is one of the big things that doctors can do that nurse practitioners cannot do that has recently come to light in the news. A California nurse was fined for calling herself a doctor although she had her doctoral degree as an NP. Although NPs can get their DNP and technically hold a doctoral degree, some states explicitly state that NPs cannot call themselves doctors. In the medical field, the confusion between a nurse practitioner with her DNP calling herself a doctor and an MD calling himself a doctor is reasonable. The sticking point is that other medical and education professionals can use the title Dr. before their name.

16. Make Top Dollar

One thing that a doctor can do that an NP cannot do is to command the top salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, doctors have the opportunity to earn more than $208,000 annually. While Nurse practitioners can still make a considerable income, the median NP salary is $123,780, according to the BLS. A physician's additional education and training pay off when it comes to the paycheck in the long run.

17. Sign End of Life Treatment Forms/Plans

One thing that doctors can do that NPs cannot do is sign end-of-life planning and treatment forms. The nurse practitioner scope of practice by state differs on whether an NP can sign these forms. Some states allow NPs to complete the documents, but others still require these forms only to be completed by a physician. Some states do not have a law about this yet.

18. Precept Medical Residents and Fellows

One task a doctor can do that a nurse practitioner cannot do is supervise and precept medical residents and fellows. We have all helped train medical students in one aspect or another. However, only an attending physician can officially supervise and precept medical residents and fellows.

19. Refer Medicaid Patients to Specialists

Medicaid restricts nurse practitioners from independently referring patients to specialists. NPs are allowed only with physician approval, even if they were not a part of the process. Along these same lines, many Medicaid plans do not allow NPs to issue initial certifications for hospice. A physician must assess a patient to complete the necessary paperwork for this referral. However, an NP typically can recertify a patient for hospice care.

20. Receive Full Reimbursement from Third Party Payers

Many Medicaid plans reimburse nurse practitioners at a fraction of what a physician can charge. This disparity in reimbursement can be found with many of the third-party payers. Some will reimburse NPs at 100% for a fee for service charge if a physician signs the documents, even if an NP performed the services. This avenue to achieve full reimbursement is a questionable system, to say the least.

Benefits of Seeing a Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners offer increased accessibility to primary care services, providing timely appointments, group health sessions, and 1:1 health sessions and continuity of care for patients. They deliver personalized attention and holistic care, focusing on preventive measures and patient education to improve overall health outcomes. 

Here are some of the benefits of booking an appointment with a nurse practitioner:

1. Increased Accessibility

Nurse practitioners often offer increased accessibility to healthcare services, especially in regions with shortages of primary care physicians. Their ability to provide quality wellness care in a variety of settings such as telehealth services, including clinics and community health centers, helps bridge the gap in healthcare access for underserved populations.

2. Personalized Attention

One of the notable benefits of choosing a nurse practitioner is the personalized attention they offer to patients. NPs typically spend more time with each patient, allowing for thorough assessments, detailed discussions about medical concerns, and tailored treatment plans that consider individual needs and preferences.

3. Comprehensive Care

Another benefit of nurse practitioners is their focus on comprehensive care. These holistic health practitioners are trained to treat the whole person. They address physical health and mental and emotional well-being. This holistic approach to healthcare promotes overall wellness and can lead to better health outcomes for patients.

4. Expertise in Patient Education

Nurse practitioners excel in patient education, empowering people to take an active role in their healthcare. Through In-home care, health assessments, chronic disease management nurse-led services, clear explanations, practical guidance, and ongoing support, they help patients understand their conditions, treatment options, and preventive measures. This helps patients with informed decision-making and improved self-management skills.

How to Find a Nurse Practitioner Near Me

Finding a qualified nurse practitioner (NP) in the United States can be achieved through several reliable methods:

1. American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) NP Finder: The AANP offers a comprehensive directory of NPs across various specialties and locations. You can search for NPs by specialty, city, state, or zip code using their NP Finder tool. 

2. State Nursing Boards: Each state has a nursing board that licenses and regulates NPs. Visiting your state's nursing board website can provide information on licensed NPs in your area.

3. Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals, clinics, and health centers often employ NPs. Contacting local healthcare facilities or checking their websites can help you find NPs practicing in your community.

4. Professional Organizations: Organizations such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) provide resources and directories to locate NPs. 

AANP

5. Online Health Directories: Websites like Sofia Health offer searchable databases of healthcare providers, including NPs, along with patient reviews and ratings.

 

Sources:

Sofia Health

Cleveland Clinic

AANP

Nurse Journal

Nurse

Nursing World

Regis College

Nursing Process

University of Providence

Riverstone NP Clinic

Janey L Hammons

Houston Methodist