There are approximately 200,000 licensed Nurse Practitioners ("NP") in the United States, making it likely you will come across one at some point. Contrary to popular belief, for the normal needs of the average person, NPs can be just as helpful as regular doctors, and are often easier to get an appointment with.
Are nurse specialists reliable?
Like physicians, nurse practitioners are trained in all areas of primary care, including diagnosis, treatment, prevention, health education, drug prescribing, and medication management. They have attended registered nursing school, as well as graduate or doctorate level training, including didactic and clinical courses, and are licensed to diagnose and treat patients without a physician's supervision. Their master's programs can take up to three years, while their doctoral programs can take up to six years. You may find them in private practice, a school, a nursing home, an emergency room, or public health departments. More than 50% work in family or adult practices, but others also specialize in gerontology, neonatology, oncology, pediatrics, psychiatric-mental health, women's health and acute care. Every two years, they must provide proof of continuing medical education to renew their license to practice in all 50 states. They also work with doctors, especially when faced with a new or unfamiliar situation.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners recently published a study summarizing the evidence that compared patients under NP care with patients under the care of regular physicians. The study found that among NPs, patients had higher satisfaction, fewer hospital readmissions or emergency room visits, and higher rates of avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations. In addition, they can also be a more cost-effective alternative to physicians, largely due to lower educational costs – about 25% of that of a medical degree.
What Are the Benefits of Seeing a Nurse Practitioner Instead of a Doctor?
NPs provide almost all the services doctors provide, such as:
- Examining and diagnosing patients
- Treat short-term problems and prescribe medicines or other treatments
- Treating long-term problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- Providing information about a healthy lifestyle and information about disease prevention
- Management of consistent, overall care for patients (such as GPs)
In addition, nurse specialists focus more on preventive care because they are often less busy with appointments than regular doctors and have more time to listen and discuss preventive matters such as smoking cessation, healthy eating and regular exercise. Depending on where you live, they may also be more readily available than a family doctor, especially if you're not in an urban metropolis. The United States has a shortage of primary care providers, so the convenience of an appointment with a Nurse Practitioner can be critical if you need to be seen urgently by a healthcare provider.
Of course, whether you choose a nurse practitioner or a doctor, you should consider their communication style and the natural bond you build with them. Always follow your intuition about whether or not to trust that person with your health care.
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