Can I See a Nurse Practitioner Instead of a Doctor?

It is helpful to have a complete understanding of what exactly a nurse practitioner is and how they can effectively and efficiently diagnose and treat patients when determining if a visit is a good idea. Nurse practitioners can essentially provide the same diagnosis and treatment as a doctor, although there are a few slight differences to be mindful of.
An overview of a nurse practitioner
There are many instances where patients can benefit from visiting a nurse practitioner rather than a doctor for their health care needs. The following is an overview of what a nurse practitioner is and how they are different than a nurse or doctor.
What is a nurse practitioner?
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse that completes additional education and training to become licensed and able to diagnose patients, prescribe medication and monitor the long-term health of patients. A nurse practitioner can treat patients with a variety of needs, and they often offer more availability, more affordable prices and more personalized treatment.
What makes a nurse practitioner unique?
A nurse practitioner typically gets his or her start as a registered nurse, which involves completing a nursing education and training program. They then go through additional education and training to become licensed to do more throughout the treatment process. Essentially, a nurse practitioner can do everything a doctor can do, although they are not able to perform surgical procedures. Doctors may, on average, complete more specialized training as well, although nurse practitioners complete extensive education and training programs as well.
What issues can a nurse practitioner treat?
Nurse practitioners can treat a wide range of complications, and they also help patients with disease and illness prevention as well. Several of the procedures that nurse practitioners commonly perform includes but is not limited to the following:
- Annual physical
- Routine flu shots
- Blood testing
- Flu treatment
- Injury treatment
Patients who need a physical, blood testing or flu shot to ensure they are healthy and prevent future illnesses should consider the benefits of visiting a nurse practitioner. They can also treat patients with minor to moderate illness and injury.
When to see a nurse practitioner for treatment
For patients who need common procedures that do not require specialized diagnosis and treatment, visiting a nurse practitioner is often an effective and efficient way to receive treatment. Many patients prefer to visit a nurse practitioner rather than a doctor as they often find the interactions to be overall more friendly, the wait times when scheduling an appointment to be far shorter and the prices to often be far more affordable.
Talk to a nurse practitioner today
The first step towards treatment form a nurse practitioner is to schedule an initial consultation. Feel free to reach out to us today to schedule a time to come in for your first visit, and we can answer any questions or address any concerns you may have about treatment. Our staff is friendly and seeks to offer the best, most high-quality care possible to each patient.
Get more information here: https://www.janeylhammonsnpc.com or call Janey L Hammons NP-C at (580) 922-4406
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