I've always wanted to know what the difference is

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

between an NP and a general practice/family practice MD?

I always got the impression that they're very similar.

Or maybe it's just my continuing confusion about what the NP role is.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

In all honesty and sincerety without any sarcasm intended.....

The difference is 4 years med school, and a three year residency in Family Practice.

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Nope...one is a Medical Doctor and the other has either a Masters or a Doctorate degree in Nursing...a Masters degree is much more common to find.

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between an NP and a general practice/family practice MD?

I always got the impression that they're very similar.

Or maybe it's just my continuing confusion about what the NP role is.

Maybe you are wondering what the difference is as far as what one is able to do versus the other? I think in situations where the FNP is most autonomous, he/she can function very much like a Family Practice MD. Would others agree?

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Specializes in FNP.
Maybe you are wondering what the difference is as far as what one is able to do versus the other? I think in situations where the FNP is most autonomous, he/she can function very much like a Family Practice MD. Would others agree?

Yes, as far as what we do in daily practice, the roles are similar, although with some differences in our underlying philosophy.

Dana

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.
Yes, as far as what we do in daily practice, the roles are similar, although with some differences in our underlying philosophy.

Dana

That's what I figured.

Which means no NP for me....never wanted a doctor's role or anything like it.

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Specializes in Forensic/Psych/Surgical nurse.

UHM.....I may sound like the dumbest bimbo there is, but can someone tell me the difference between a CNS and an NP? What degrees do they both have? Thanks for the attention!

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UHM.....I may sound like the dumbest bimbo there is, but can someone tell me the difference between a CNS and an NP? What degrees do they both have? Thanks for the attention!

There are a number of older threads here that discuss CNS and NP roles. The differences used to be very clear-cut and well-understood, but there has been so much blurring of the roles in recent years, that it's getting to be hard to tell the difference.

Currently (and for a long time time now), both CNS and NP preparation are Master's degree programs. However, there is a recent push to make doctoral degrees the requirement. That is not yet official, but there are plenty of people in nursing who want to make it official.

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Specializes in ICU.
That's what I figured.

Which means no NP for me....never wanted a doctor's role or anything like it.

Just curious... are you not interested in the NP because it's similar to the MD role in Family Practice? Or other reasons?

I'm finishing up my FNP degree and don't have any interest in working within the Family setting... just not stimulating for my needs. However, I know I can work within specialty areas and plan on doing so.

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Specializes in Accepted...Master's Entry Program, 2008!.
Just curious... are you not interested in the NP because it's similar to the MD role in Family Practice? Or other reasons?

I'm finishing up my FNP degree and don't have any interest in working within the Family setting... just not stimulating for my needs. However, I know I can work within specialty areas and plan on doing so.

Why not go the ACNP route, then? Just curious....

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Specializes in ICU.
Why not go the ACNP route, then? Just curious....

A little late for that. I graduate in 7 months. No school will take all my transfer credits and the school I attend doesn't have the ACNP. Believe me. I've looked.

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.
Just curious... are you not interested in the NP because it's similar to the MD role in Family Practice? Or other reasons?

The first reason...I think of MDs as specialists in the pathophysiology of disease, and NPs appear to be the same.

I'd rather have a broader, more holistic focus, something I think you see more with nursing.

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