re: How do you feel about Nurse Practitioners?

My wife is an NP and I also work in healthcare as a provider. I’ll be there first to tell you that not all providers are created equal and there are some terrible doctors and NP’s out there.

I agree that experience is king and NP’s who have extensive experience (my wife in the ER for 12 years) is a way better provider and more knowledge then the baby nurse who worked two years before getting her NP.

Regarding a specialty, my wife works with a surgeon and is his first assist in surgery (which also requires more education and a certification). She has a very extensive knowledge of the surgical procedures they perform and also assists in the procedure itself. While yes she is not the surgeon, she is very aware of the procedure, care, and how to do a consult as well as treat you after surgery.

As an aside most people don’t realize that very often a PA or NP is the one stitching you back up not the surgeon.