Nurse Practitioner vs. Physician: Which Career is Right for You?

Many medical school graduates are opting to specialize rather than enter primary care. The choice to specialize has left a shortage of primary care providers, and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are filling the gap.

Nurse Practitioners vs Physicians

Maverick Health defines the roles of physicians and NPs as differing in focus, “a physician is a person with formal education and training in medicine, i.e., the treatment of diseases using drugs, procedures and/or surgery. A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with formal education in the care of the sick plus advanced education and training in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of common and chronic illnesses.”

According to the AANP, “by providing high-quality care and counseling, NPs can lower the cost of health care for patients. For example, patients who see NPs as their primary care provider often have fewer emergency room visits, shorter hospital stays and lower medication costs.”

Physicians and NPs are similar in that both diagnose, treat and manage acute and chronic diseases, order and interpret labs and diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications. Doctors and NPs are different in their educational backgrounds and their approach to patient care; physicians study diseases and how to cure them while nurse practitioners study people and how to heal them. While some NPs take a specialized certification exam to be able to secure an advanced practice license, specialization is common for doctors.

The primary specializations for an NP are:

• Adult-Gerontological Health
• Family Health
• Neonatal Health
• Pediatric/Child Health

Some popular specializations for physicians include:

• Allergists
• Anesthesiologists
• Family and General Practice
• General Internists
• Surgeons

NPs can prescribe medications in any state, but their level of autonomy in doing so varies. Some states require RNs to have a collaborative agreement with doctors to prescribe medications, medical devices and some treatments. Advanced practice registered nurses are authorized to prescribe to patients in states where they hold a valid license to practice, however their scope of practice varies in each state. Licensed physicians can prescribe medications without consultation.

NPs must be licensed, usually by their home state Board of Nursing, plus receive national certification from the AANP or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for specialties. Doctors are licensed by passing the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination, which is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners, or another licensing examination as defined by each state board.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for doctors is equal to or greater than $239,200 per year or $115.00 per hour. NPs, on the other hand, earned a median income of $126,260 in 2023. The ten-year job outlook for Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners will experience a 40 percent growth by 2033. This is due to an overall increase in demand for healthcare services in the U.S., as well as the result of an aging population.

Take the Next Step with Rivier University

Rivier University’s Family Nurse Practitioner programs allow you to gain the skills and knowledge you need to serve as a primary healthcare provider. You’ll be prepared for many in-demand positions across several types of healthcare settings. You’ll gain advanced theory and clinical education in topics such as pathophysiology, health assessment, family nursing theory, quality healthcare improvement, and more.

Rivier also offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. This clinically-focused program will help you practice at your maximum potential as a clinician. You’ll learn how to lead interdisciplinary teams designed to improve patient quality of care, utilize informatics to enhance clinical decision-making, and critically evaluate scholarly research.