For Primary Care, can an NP ever be as skilled as an MD?

[alexamasan]

Perhaps after years (or decades) of practice, do you think an NP can be as skilled in providing primary care as an MD? Or will the NP forever be lacking something for not going to medical school?

[ToFNPandBeyond]

With years of experience, just as skilled in the primary care setting. I can't speak of other specialities.

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

Definitely yes. I've seen some horrible primary care MDs.

[Oldmahubbard]

Same in Psych. Too many horrible psychiatrists to even count.

I am so much better than many of them , there is no comparison. I hear this all the time.

It is because of glaring personal failings which greatly outweigh their so-called superior education.

[MikeFNPC, MSN]

With enough time and exposure, you can become proficient with any procedure. Unless, of course, there is a physical, psychological, or cognitive limitation.

[Bumex, DNP, NP]

Absolutely. I’m still a relatively newer NP and still a better clinician than numerous docs I work with. There are some really bad MDs out there. Would I say I’m better than a majority of MDs? Absolutely not. Most of the NPs, PAs, and MDs I work with constantly say it’s less about the letters behind the name, but the quality of the clinician.

[Rnis, BSN, DNP, APRN, NP]

I work with some fabulous and really smart MD/DO . I also work with some wonderful PAs and NPs . Research suggests that in primary care there is not a statistically significantly difference in quality of care provided.

[alexamasan]

Thanks for all the responses, a natural follow up question would be what should an NP be doing to improve their clinical skills to be as good as an MD/DO?

[MikeFNPC, MSN]

The more you do anything the better you get.

[Rnis, BSN, DNP, APRN, NP]

23 hours ago, alexamasan said:

Thanks for all the responses, a natural follow up question would be what should an NP be doing to improve their clinical skills to be as good as an MD/DO?

Own your education and the role you serve. Your goal is to be a top quality Nurse practitioner, I don't know that there is value in chasing something as subjective as "as good as a MD" Skills are great but even in family medicine not all Drs have the same skills. My best advice is know what you and more importantly what you don't know.

[Dodongo, APRN, NP]

The complete knowledge base? No. Unless you devote countless hours to reading text books and studying, etc. Not gonna happen. Typical diagnosis and management in primary care? Sure. Procedures? Sure.

[myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN]

The more relevant question is "can NP's achieve the same or better outcomes as an MD" and there are studies to suggest that they in fact accomplish this. More knowledge doesn't always equal better outcomes.