what is the major differences between an md and a nurse practitioner?

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i really hope to, one day, become a neonatal nurse practitioner, and i was just wondering what the major differences are. thanks!

Every state is different in what a NP can do check with your sate board.

In general NPs manage medical issues (including rx for controlled substances in almost all states) and may preform procedures (usually high frequency low complexity), so a NNP can place chest tubes, lines, intubation. Frequently NNP function in a role similar to a resident in a teaching hospital. NPs are restricted by their training so a NNP will see children upto age 2, ANP wil see adults ect.

MDs have a license to treat anything. So a neonatologist can treat neonate and if he/she wanted also treat adults. They can do more advanced procedures including surgery.

Hope this helps,

Jeremy

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I'll have to take issue with the above post about autonomy. NP's can and do have solo practices in several states that I'm aware of. Also, NP's can prescribe and can even bill medicare for their services in some places.

Richard

Really? Interesting....I didn't know that. I only had my own State to use as a reference. Thanks for the tidbit! :)

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Early On I Worked At A Rural Hospital Where Nurses Had Access

To Pharmacy To Get Meds. Because Of This Experience, I Was The Drug Expert Of The Nurse Dept When Started Working At A Major Med Center. Best Training Of My Career. Pharmacology Is Most Difficult Course Of Health Science Schools. Docs Learn From Clinical Experience. This Is One Big Difference Between Np's And Md's. Among Themselves, Pharmacists And Docs Talk About How Weak Np's And Pa's Are In Drug Knowledge.

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Specializes in Neuro/Trauma SICU.

To me there is a huge difference. I would relate a NP more to a PA than a MD. I think a NP is a lot more versatile than a PA due to a lot more bedside experience, but thats just me.

All M.D's are not the same but the ones I deal with day to day did 4 years undergrad, 4 years of medical school, 5 year surgical residency, and usually about a 1-2 fellowship.

Being a NP is a 4 year undergrad, and a 2 year graduate program right?

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