Why would people choose to go to a NURSE PRACTITIONER as opposed to a physician?

[MedicalDreams]

i am wondering why nurse practitioners open their own practices...wouldn't majority of the population choose to go to an md?

i am interested in becoming a nurse practitioner...so i am just wondering..trying to find the common sense in that..:heartbeat

thanks!!

[jeepgirl, LPN, NP]

If a doctor of medicine can be called "doctor",

If a doctor of osteopathic medicine can be called "doctor",

If a doctor of podiatry can be called "doctor",

If a dentist can be called "doctor",

If a veterinarian can be called "doctor",

Why can't a practitioner with a doctoral level degree, just like the other professions, be called "doctor"?

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

please, let's stay on topic: why would people choose to go to a nurse practitioner as opposed to a doctor?

future posts regarding the dnp educated np will be deleted as off-topic. please take these topics to this thread: dnp : doctoral degree to become an np???

thank you.

[amzyRN]

Someone should correct the thread to say "why would someone become a nurse practitioner versus a physician." The language here is insidious here by implying that nurses can't be "doctor". So maybe someone could change the title? Nurses can become "doctors". An NP isn't a physician.

So, what are reasons someone would rather be an NP versus a physician? What are the benefits of physician versus NP?

[bayouchick02]

Thank you to everyone so far!

This is EXACTLY why I want to become an NP:loveya:. More interraction and time with patients, isntead of feeling rushed.

I agree 150% with you!!! I remember my first experience with an NP and i dont know if it's because she wasnt very busy that day, but she sat and listened to me for a good 30mins!! most MD's dont have that kind of time since they gotta see patients, but i do find that NP's are more into caring for the person hollistically.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Someone should correct the thread to say "why would someone become a nurse practitioner versus a physician." The language here is insidious here by implying that nurses can't be "doctor". So maybe someone could change the title?

Agree. Title changed.

So, what are reasons someone would rather be an NP versus a physician? What are the benefits of physician versus NP?

That's a whole other topic.:wink2: Here are some threads on this:

Consider going for MD?

Do NP's Practice Medicine?

Discussion regarding education of NP, PA and DNP compared to MD/DO

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

In general, for PCP needs, I'll see a DO. My gyn is also a DO, and I see her NP often. I've found in my experience that those who are DO/NP are more willing, as stated several times above, to take a holistic approach to treatment. I've had alot of gyn issues for a very long time, and my gyn and her NPs were always interested in not just pain management and finding the cause, but also on how it was affecting my relationship with my husband and my daily life...previous MD's had just prescribed NSAIDs without even thinking about possible "side effects" from my condition such as depression or marital issues, and with much less diligence to discover the cause.

[SASQUATCH THE NP]

If a doctor of medicine can be called "doctor",

If a doctor of osteopathic medicine can be called "doctor",

If a doctor of podiatry can be called "doctor",

If a dentist can be called "doctor",

If a veterinarian can be called "doctor",

Why can't a practitioner with a doctoral level degree, just like the other professions, be called "doctor"?

because Alopaths become apoplectic at the thought of a NURSE being called a Doctor... LOL. At one point I swore I was going to do the DNP thing JUST so that for one day I could force everyone to call me DOCTOR.. then I grew up.. sigh... lol

[amzyRN]

Why would someone rather be an NP than physician? Probably beat this one to pulp, but here goes: 1. doesn't take as long and still have overlapping duties/responsibilities, of course within ones scope of knowledge. 2. patient's may trust nurses more as opposed to physicians 3. slightly different approach to learning, more "on the job" type learning, vs. "front loading didactic training that goes into not required depth". 4. different philosophical values, holism vs. reductionism (pure reason, not enough flexibility) 5. willing to accept less esteem....to name a few.

[sunray12]

because Alopaths become apoplectic at the thought of a NURSE being called a Doctor... LOL. At one point I swore I was going to do the DNP thing JUST so that for one day I could force everyone to call me DOCTOR.. then I grew up.. sigh... lol

If I choose to get a DNP (which won't really be a choice if you want to be a NP in the not so distant future anyway) it will be a professional decision - and could care less what anyone else who isn't hiring me thinks about it. People can call me "Dr" if they want to - if they don't want to, I won't make them do it. I'll know what my degree is - won't need random strangers to remind me. I won't correct people who call me doctor and I won't spend anytime in petty school yard style arguments about whether I'm a "real doctor" either.

As for why NP vs MD - different people are looking for different things. One is not better than the other imo - it just depends on what you want. From the nursing perspective, not everyone wants to spend 8-12 years just to get to entry level. The most appealing feature that nursing has IMO is the wide range of flexibility in role and even working environments. The MD's I know who became unhappy with their specialties did not have that kind of flex. They had to get other degrees and no longer use their medical degrees. In nursing there are plenty of things you can do and still be directly using your nursing degree and this is a good thing.

[Jules A, MSN]

To answer the original question I love being a nurse and what nursing entails. It also doesn't hurt that I can become a NP much quicker and cheaper building on the education I already have. :)