Nurse practitioner vs Doctor: Key differences covered

12/3, 2024 vishal

Over 355,000 licensed NPs offer advanced care in the U.S. Many of them help out in primary care as doctors are not available enough. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the job of an NP will increase by 46% by 2031, much faster than most other jobs. At the same time, doctors are in steady demand, with projections that indicate a shortage of 124,000 by 2034.

Nurse practitioners and doctors offer high-quality care, but the way they train, the duties they have, and their salaries differ. Read on to learn about nurse practitioner vs doctor and decide which career suits you the best.

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A nurse practitioner is a highly specialized kind of nurse trained in diagnosing, treating, and managing different health issues. NPs hold at least a master’s degree in nursing, though many pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. NPs can provide complete care because they have received training that enables them to perform physical examinations, request laboratory tests, and prescribe medicine.

Unlike registered nurses (RNs), nurse practitioners (NPs) can work alone in many states, especially in primary care. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) says that NPs take care of more than 1 billion patient visits each year. They often work in places where there are not enough doctors, making them a key element in providing healthcare, especially in rural or underserved areas.

What is a Medical Doctor?

A medical doctor, or MD, is a healthcare provider who diagnoses and treats serious illnesses and injuries. MDs go through challenging training, which involves four years of medical school and residency programs that last from three to seven years, depending on the area of specialty. Their education teaches them a lot about the human body, how diseases work, and advanced treatment methods. MDs often focus on areas such as heart health, children's health, or surgery, providing very specialized care. MDs take board certification exams in their special areas, unlike nurse practitioners. Medical doctors can work fully in all states and deal with complex cases that need advanced medical skills. Their long training helps them perform surgeries, prescribe many treatments, and manage complicated health problems, giving complete care to patients.

Overview of Differences Between Nurse Practitioner Vs Doctor

Nurse practitioners (NPs) and doctors (MDs/DOs) are both important in healthcare but follow distinct educational and career paths. NPs focus on patient-centered care, while doctors undergo more extensive training for highly specialized roles. The following table summarizes the key differences between nurse practitioners vs doctors:

Category	Nurse Practitioner (NP)	Doctor (MD/DO)
Degree Required	Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or DNP	Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
Training Duration	2–5 years	7–11 years (including residency)
Scope of Practice	Varies by state; limited by specialty	Broad scope; determined by specialty and training
Job Duties	Prescribe medication, diagnose, treat, order tests	Prescribe medication, diagnose, order tests, provide specialized treatment, and supervise the staff and other team members.
Undergraduate Requirement	Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN), active RN license	Bachelor’s degree (any field)
Entrance Exam	GRE or ACT/SAT	Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Graduate Degree	MSN or DNP	MD or DO
Residency Requirement	No residency; 500+ clinical hours in grad school	3–7 years, depending on specialty
Licensure Exam	Specialty Board Certification	United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
Projected Job Growth (2022–2032)	45%	3%
Average Annual Salary (2023)	$128,490	$248,640

Educational Difference Between a Nurse Practitioner vs Doctor

NPs and MDs are trained differently. Both must undergo extensive training, but their education is different in duration and focus. Some of the main differences in the education of nurse practitioner vs doctor:

Education for Nurse Practitioners

To become an NP, a candidate first has to acquire a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which typically takes four years. A BSN graduate is expected to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and receive a registered nurse license. Many individuals who become NPs initially get their clinical experience as registered nurses before advancing their education in the master's program.

The NPs then go to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. These schools take 2 to 4 years to complete and typically include coursework on advanced pharmacology, health assessment, and clinical practice. They are also required to take a clinical practicum under supervision and pass a national certification exam before becoming licensed.

Education for Medical Doctors

Medical doctors typically begin with a bachelor's degree in a science-related area of study. Once that is complete, they complete all prerequisite courses and take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to be accepted into medical school.

MDs receive instruction in a four-year medical school program that involves both classroom education and clinical training. Graduates of the program are required to pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) to begin practice. An MD then goes on to spend 3 to 7 years in a residency program, which can vary according to the specialty.

Specialization and Work Environment of Nurse Practitioner Vs Doctor

NPs and MDs can specialize in any field, but their roles differ. NPs often focus on specific patient populations or health needs. Common NP specialties include

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP),
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP),
Psychiatric-mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP).

Doctors undertake accredited residency programs in specialized areas to gain proper training. Currently, more than 160 specialties are recognized among MDs, including:

Internal Medicine,
Cardiology,
Neurology,
Surgery,
Radiology,
Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Differences Between Work Environment

Doctors work in private practices, hospitals, educational institutions, or government facilities. Sometimes, they teach, do research, or work in particular healthcare settings. They commonly handle complicated cases and operate multidisciplinary teams.

Nurse practitioners frequently work in physicians’ offices, with nearly half employed in these settings. Many are also found working in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and educational institutions. Much of their work environment also involves primary care, collaborative work with doctors, and independent work in states with full practice authority.

Nurse Practitioner Vs Doctor Salary And Career Outlook

What is a nurse practitioner vs doctor's salary? Nurse practitioners and MDs are both well-paid professionals. However, doctors generally take home more money. As of 2023, the median annual salary of a nurse practitioner was $126,260; the highest paid reached as high as $168,030. NPs can earn on the higher scale if they specialize in psychiatric care or neonatal health. Salaries are bound to vary with location, experience, and work setting.

Physicians reported a mean annual salary of $248,640 in 2023. Surgeons make even more, and their average salary approaches $344,000. Subspecialists like neurosurgeons will earn much more, with an average salary of $452,000 as of 2024. Physicians' salaries reflect the high level of education required, specialized skills, and complexity of work.

Career Outlook

The career outlook for NPs is very positive. Employment is projected to grow 40% from 2023 to 2033, adding approximately 31,900 jobs annually. This rapid growth is due to the increasing demand for primary care providers and the ability of NPs to work independently in many states. According to U.S. News & World Report, the NP profession ranked the best healthcare job in 2024.

Physician employment is also projected to increase, but at a slower pace of 4% during the same period, adding approximately 23,600 jobs every year. Although physicians' growth rate will be slower, they remain in demand, especially those specialized in their field.

Also Read: 10 Essential Skills That You Will Learn In A Nurse Practitioner Course

Choose Between Nurse Practitioner vs Doctor With Confidence!

Choosing between becoming a nurse practitioner vs a doctor (MD/DO) depends on your goals, timeline, and priorities. If you value a shorter path to patient care and lower education costs, becoming an NP is a rewarding option. NPs enjoy high job growth, a patient-centered focus, and solid earning potential. However, if you are interested in specialized medicine and have a high salary expectation, then it will be worth the longer period to become a physician or medical doctor.

Both ways have the potential to contribute to the medical world. With consideration of your goals and resources, you can pick the correct path for you. Want to move ahead in your career? Enroll in your preferred healthcare course today.