Why Nurse Practitioners Give Better Care Than Primary Care Physicians

There is a shortage of primary care physiciansthe patient and provide the information necessary
(PCP) due to medical students choosing to befor the patient to learn to take care of
specialists because of the higher pay. Getting anthemselves in order to avoid future complications.
appointment with your PCP can take weeks andNPs take the time to listen to the concerns of
your illness usually ends up becoming a trip to thethe patient.
emergency room for urgent care. NurseThe PCP is focused mainly on the illness that you
practitioners are emerging as an alternative to thereported when you made the appointment. After
primary care physician. The care provided by aa quick examination of your vital organs, they
nurse practitioner (NP) is equivalent to or evenbegin ordering tests and writing prescriptions to
better than the care provided by a PCP. We willcure your illness. They need you to be in and out
explore the reasons why.very quickly because they have so many more
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who haspatients to see. This is a reactive approach used
completed medical education at the graduate level.by many PCPs.
Most NPs have a master's degree and some evenNPs are a way of providing medical care that is
have a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Most work incost effective. They usually work together in a
collaboration with a physician. Other nurseclinic-type setting so there are multiple NPs
practitioners, depending on state regulations, canavailable to provide care to patients. The nurse
function as primary care providers without anypractitioner field is rapidly growing compared to
supervision from a physician.the declining number of primary care physicians.
Nurse practitioners provide better care than PCPsAbout 65% of NPs are in primary care which is
because they emphasize prevention of illnessgood new for patients needing urgent care
rather than treatment. They take a morewithout the waiting weeks for an appointment.
proactive role in patient treatment. NPs spend anIf you are in need of a quick appointment to
average of 20 to 30 minutes longer with a patientreceive effective treatment, consider using a
than a typical doctor visit.nurse practitioner on your next visit. NPs are a
During your visit, the NP will provide a thoroughviable alternative, although not a complete
examination, discuss your medical history, requestsubstitution, to an unavailable primary care
necessary diagnostic testing, and offer aphysician. Nurse Practitioners are the new face of
comprehensive treatment plans. They focus onprimary care.