Physicians recommend careers as nurse practitioners

A study recently published in Academic Medicine found that primary care physicians were more likely to recommend a career as a primary care nurse practitioner than their own career.

 

In 2012, the study’s researchers sent a survey to a random selection of 1,900 clinicians, evenly divided between physicians and nurse practitioners. Only about half replied. Of the physicians who responded, 66% recommended that students pursue a career as a nurse practitioner, compared to the 56% who said they would recommend a career as a physician. 

 

Eighty-eight percent of the nurse practitioner respondents also recommended a career as a nurse practitioner. Only 67% recommended a career as a physician.