Nurse Practitioner vs. Doctor: Understanding the Differences in 2026
The primary distinctions between Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Doctors are:
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Education: Doctors typically earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and complete a residency program, amounting to a total of 10-14 years of education. In contrast, Nurse Practitioners must complete the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and may complete a residency, totaling around 6-8 years of education.
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Patient Care: Doctors generally have greater authority to devise patient treatment plans, prescribe medications, and perform surgeries. Nurse Practitioners emphasize patient management, well-being, and collaborative treatment planning.
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Salary and Job Outlook: Doctors earn approximately 70% more than Nurse Practitioners; however, the demand for Nurse Practitioners is projected to grow significantly faster over the upcoming decade.
If you’re a current or future healthcare professional, you may be curious about the differences between Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Doctors. While both roles share similarities, they differ in education requirements and responsibilities.
For instance, while a Doctor can independently prescribe medication, NPs often require some degree of oversight from a physician to do so. There are additional key distinctions to consider.
This article explores the essential differences between NPs and Doctors, helping you make an informed decision about your career path.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners, or NPs, are licensed healthcare professionals who play a crucial role in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and clinics. NPs work closely with patients to promote health and may specialize in various fields.
This profession often involves forming strong patient relationships, necessitating excellent interpersonal skills. A defining characteristic of NPs is their focus on enhancing patient health and well-being.
Key responsibilities for NPs include health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education. They are pivotal in guiding patients towards healthier lifestyle choices.
Many NPs pursue specialized areas, including:
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Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): FNPs deliver primary care and health education, collaborating with various healthcare professionals.
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Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP): These NPs assess and manage the health needs of patients across the adult lifespan.
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Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP): AGACNPs focus on managing acute and chronic conditions in adults, particularly those that are severe or life-threatening.
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Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP): PNPs specialize in providing healthcare to children, from infancy through adolescence, often working closely with families.
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Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): PMHNPs diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders, commonly working in mental health facilities and other specialized settings.
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Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP): WHNPs focus on women’s health issues, providing gynecological care, prenatal services, and more.
What Requirements Does a Nurse Practitioner Have?
Typically, aspiring NPs start with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), followed by an MSN or DNP-NP degree. Both graduate degrees are designed to enhance communication skills, ethical understanding, and leadership capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of each degree:
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MSN Degree: A graduate degree that equips NPs with specialized knowledge and skills. Career paths with an MSN include nurse administrator, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse educator.
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DNP-NP Degree: A doctoral program that cultivates leadership skills necessary for advanced nursing roles. Graduates often become Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).
Moreover, NPs must obtain state-specific licenses to practice. Even with proper education, they cannot work in healthcare settings without these licenses. To learn more about the requirements in your state, visit your state’s nursing board website.
What is a Doctor?
Doctors share some similarities with NPs but generally take a more scientific approach to healthcare.
Doctors primarily focus on diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries. They can see both returning patients and new patients, and they possess the authority to prescribe medications and treatments independently. Common responsibilities include:
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Collecting detailed information on a patient’s symptoms
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Conducting examinations and laboratory tests to identify health issues
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Prescribing medications and treatments
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Performing necessary procedures and surgeries
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Providing follow-up care for patients
The extent of a Doctor’s involvement in patient care can depend on their specialty. Like NPs, Doctors can also focus on various fields of healthcare.
What are the Requirements for Becoming a Doctor?
Doctors carry significant responsibilities, making it essential to meet rigorous educational and certification requirements.
Typically, a Doctor begins with a Bachelor of Medicine or Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), followed by passing the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) to gain entry into medical school.
After several years in medical school, they must complete a residency program to qualify for practice.
Additionally, Doctors must obtain state medical licenses and board certifications. For detailed licensing requirements, consult your state’s medical board website.
What Are Some Differences Between Nurse Practitioners and Doctors?
Understanding critical differences between Nurse Practitioners and Doctors can help inform your career choice. Key distinctions include:
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Requirements
As previously discussed, the educational pathways differ significantly. An NP typically earns a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), while a Doctor completes a Bachelor of Medicine or Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).
Following this, NP candidates take the NCLEX for licensure, while Doctors take the MCAT. NP students can pursue either an MSN or DNP degree, taking about 6-8 years total. Conversely, Doctors usually spend 10-14 years in education and training.
Both NPs and Doctors must also acquire state-specific licenses and certifications, with Doctors mandated to complete a residency.
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Salary and Job Outlook
There are notable differences in average salaries between Doctors and NPs in the U.S., influenced by their educational backgrounds. For example:
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Doctor: The average Doctor in the U.S. earns around $179,000 annually ($86.10 per hour), with top earners reaching up to $340,000, while entry-level positions might start at $94,000. The field is projected to grow by at least 7% through 2028, creating approximately 55,400 job opportunities.
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Nurse Practitioner: The average NP earns about $104,380 per year ($50.18 per hour), with the top 10% earning around $141,000 and the bottom 10% making approximately $77,000. The NP field is expected to grow by at least 45% over the next decade.
In summary, while Doctors generally earn higher salaries, Nurse Practitioners are likely to experience more job growth, indicating a potentially higher number of job opportunities in the future.
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Patient Care
A significant difference lies in the ability of Doctors to prescribe medications and perform surgeries. For instance, if a patient presents with appendicitis, a Doctor can prescribe medication and conduct the surgery themselves.
In contrast, an NP may prescribe medication with physician approval but is not authorized to perform surgeries. Overall, Doctors tend to focus on task-oriented medical care, including prescriptions, tests, and procedures, while NPs prioritize patient management and well-being.
This distinction can greatly influence how each professional operates within the healthcare industry, especially regarding liability and patient outcomes.
Nurse Practitioner vs. Doctor FAQ
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Is medical school easier as a Nurse?
Yes, medical school can be easier for Nurses. Their background provides them with insight into the healthcare industry and familiarity with medical school topics.
However, it’s important to recognize that medical school is generally more demanding than nursing school. The study volume is significantly higher, and standards are more competitive. That said, being a Nurse can provide a competitive edge.
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What can a doctor do that an NP cannot?
Doctors have the authority to prescribe medications independently. While it varies by state, most NPs can prescribe medication only with physician oversight. The three types of state policies include:
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Full-Practice: NPs can practice without physician approval in states such as Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming.
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Reduced-Authority: In these states, NPs can prescribe medications with physician oversight, including Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wisconsin.
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Restricted: In these states, NPs are not allowed to prescribe, diagnose, or treat patients without physician oversight, including California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Moreover, many Doctors can perform surgeries, while NPs cannot, applicable in all U.S. states.
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What is the average GPA of a medical student?
The average overall GPA of a medical student is approximately 3.71. The average science GPA is 3.64, while the average non-science GPA is 3.79.
If you have been a Nurse for a while and your GPA falls short of these averages, consider taking prerequisite classes to bolster your application before applying to medical school.
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Can an NP call themselves a doctor?
No, NPs cannot legally refer to themselves as Doctors. Even in states allowing full practice for NPs, their educational requirements and licenses differ from those of Doctors, making it illegal for NPs to use the title of Doctor professionally.
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How long does it take to go from a Nurse to a Doctor?
On average, it takes a minimum of seven years to transition from a Nurse to a Doctor. This includes two years of foundational sciences, one to two years of clinical rotations, and three to seven years of residency training.
Unfortunately, being a Nurse does not reduce the time required for medical school, although you may find it easier to navigate coursework.
Final Thoughts
Both Nurse Practitioners and Doctors play integral roles in the healthcare system, yet they possess distinct qualifications and specializations.
Overall, becoming an NP typically requires 2 to 6 years less education than becoming a Doctor, but NPs often face limitations such as needing physician approval to prescribe medications or perform surgeries. Nevertheless, NPs tend to cultivate a more personal connection with patients, emphasizing communication and holistic care.
Ultimately, both career paths offer rewarding opportunities in healthcare. Consider your educational preferences, salary expectations, and desired patient interaction when choosing between becoming a Doctor or a Nurse Practitioner.
Author
Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.
