> We recently expanded the privileges of nurse practitioners which is great, but two large nursing unions are less than 60 days away from striking.
The problem is that NPs are not fundamentally trained in diagnosis and have huge gaps in their medical training compared to physicians.
In the best case you go to an NP for a simple scrip. In the worst case you see a series of NPs and never get an accurate diagnosis, leading to a circular series of appointments.
NP = 2 year program on top of a 4 year nursing degree.
Physician = 1-3 years of fellowship (optional) + 3-7 years of residency + 4 year medical school on top of a 4 year bachelors degree
The problem is that NPs are not fundamentally trained in diagnosis and have huge gaps in their medical training compared to physicians.
In the best case you go to an NP for a simple scrip. In the worst case you see a series of NPs and never get an accurate diagnosis, leading to a circular series of appointments.
NP = 2 year program on top of a 4 year nursing degree.
Physician = 1-3 years of fellowship (optional) + 3-7 years of residency + 4 year medical school on top of a 4 year bachelors degree