Nurse Practitioners and Doctors: What’s the Difference?
When most people need timely medical advice, they jump online and search for an online doctor. But did you know that in Australia, you can also see a nurse practitioner for many of your health concerns?
Nurse practitioners are highly trained health professionals. They can diagnose illness, prescribe medicines, and manage chronic health conditions.
Doctors and Nurse Practitioners have different training pathways and scope of practice.
This article explains how doctors and nurse practitioners compare, and why you might consider seeing a nurse practitioner online as part of your healthcare team.
What Is a Nurse Practitioner?
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed advanced university study and extensive clinical training. In addition to nursing qualifications, they must:
- Be a registered nurse with at least 5,000 hours of advanced practice experience
- Complete a Master of Nurse Practitioner degree (minimum 18 months postgraduate study)
- Undertake at least 300 hours of supervised clinical placement, and
- Have completed a postgraduate degree in their area of specialisation.
This means nurse practitioners have advanced skills in health assessment, diagnostics, prescribing, and patient-centred care. Like doctors, they are educated to provide evidence-based treatment and support for a wide range of health needs.
What Does a Nurse Practitioner Do?
Nurse practitioners can:
- Diagnose and treat many acute and chronic health conditions, in a way that complements the role of a doctor
- Prescribe medicines, including 80% of the scheduled medicines doctors prescribe
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests such as blood work and imaging
- Refer patients directly to doctors and medical specialists
- Provide private (non-Medicare subsidised) referrals to allied health professionals
- Provide preventive care, health education, and chronic disease management
For many everyday health concerns, a nurse practitioner can provide timely assessment, diagnosis, and treatment via telehealth, working alongside doctors to support in your health care.
Nurse Practitioner and Doctor: The Key Differences
The main distinction lies in their training:
- Doctors (GPs or specialists) complete a medical degree, internship, residency, and further registrar or specialist training. A doctor’s training pathway is longer and heavily focused on biomedical science, diagnostics, and the development of advanced clinical and procedural skills.
- Nurse practitioners start as registered nurses and build on their clinical nursing experience with advanced postgraduate study. Their approach is strongly patient-centred, combining medical knowledge with a holistic view of health.
You’ll often have both doctors and nurse practitioners as part of your healthcare team, bringing complementary skills and perspectives to your care.
Should I See a Nurse Practitioner or a Doctor?
Nurse practitioners and doctors work together to support patient care. Wherever possible, it’s important to have a GP as your main point of ongoing care. If you can’t get an appointment with your GP, or don’t currently have one, you may choose to see a nurse practitioner. If your condition requires specialist input, your nurse practitioner can refer you directly to a doctor.
- For common health issues such as infections, contraception, skin conditions, or chronic disease management, a nurse practitioner can often provide the care you need.
- For complex conditions, surgery, or specialist care, you will usually be referred to a doctor or specialist.
If you can’t get an appointment with your doctor straight away, a telehealth nurse practitioner may provide more accessible appointment times and can help with many everyday health concerns, working alongside your doctors when needed
Why Choose a Nurse Practitioner for Telehealth?
Nurse practitioners are qualified to diagnose, prescribe, and manage many of the same health concerns that people commonly seek help with online.
Choosing a Wellness Telehealth nurse practitioner means:
- Fast access to care: No waiting rooms and often shorter wait times for appointments.
- Convenience: Connect from the comfort of your home, workplace, or while travelling.
- Comprehensive support: Nurse practitioners can assess symptoms, prescribe medicines, order tests, and provide follow up care all through telehealth.
Referrals when needed: If your condition requires in-person care or a specialist opinion, your nurse practitioner can refer you directly to a doctor or medical specialist.
Your Health, Your Choice
Doctors and nurse practitioners have different training pathways, but both are highly skilled health professionals. You’ll often have both as part of your healthcare team, bringing complementary skills and perspectives to your care.
When you book with our telehealth nurse practitioner service, you receive safe, professional, and accessible healthcare without leaving home. Book here today.
Real care. Virtually Anywhere. Book today.
