Nurse Practitioner vs. Physical Therapist: What Are the Differences?

Nurses and physical therapists are both vital members of the healthcare industry. They provide care and support to patients, and they work to improve the overall health of the population. Though these two professions share some similarities, there are several key differences between them. In this article, we discuss the similarities and differences between nurse practitioners and physical therapists.

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who are trained to provide a wide range of health care services. They diagnose and treat health conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications and provide guidance on health and lifestyle choices. NPs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices and community health centers. They often work collaboratively with physicians and other health care professionals to provide the best possible care for their patients.

What is a Physical Therapist?

Physical Therapists are responsible for helping patients regain mobility and function after an injury or surgery. They develop individualized treatment plans to help patients reach their specific goals. Physical Therapists often use a combination of exercises, stretches, electrical stimulation and massage to help relieve pain and improve range of motion. They also educate patients and their families on how to prevent further injuries and properly care for their bodies. Physical Therapists typically work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes or private practices.

Nurse Practitioner vs. Physical Therapist

Here are the main differences between a nurse practitioner and a physical therapist.

Job Duties

Although both nurse practitioners and physical therapists have the ability to diagnose patients, only nurse practitioners are able to prescribe medication. This is one of the biggest differences between the two positions. Another difference is that a physical therapist’s job duties are focused on rehabilitation. They work with patients to help them recover from an injury or illness so they can return to their normal activities. A nurse practitioner works with all types of patients, but they focus more on patients who have chronic illnesses or repeated injuries.

Job Requirements

Nurse practitioners (NPs) must first earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing and obtain licensure as a registered nurse (RN). They can then pursue a master’s degree or doctorate in nursing through an accredited NP program. These programs typically take two to three years to complete and include coursework on topics like advanced health assessment, pharmacology and pathophysiology. NPs must also pass a national certification exam to become licensed.

Physical therapists (PTs) must first earn a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy or a related field. They can then pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree through an accredited PT program. These programs typically take three years to complete and include coursework on topics like anatomy, physiology and kinesiology. PTs must also pass a national licensing exam to practice.

Work Environment

Physical therapists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices and outpatient clinics. They may also work for the military or sports teams. Physical therapists can choose to work full time or part time depending on their preferences.

Nurse practitioners typically work in hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers and schools. Nurse practitioners who work in school settings are often called school nurses. These professionals can also work in private practices, but they usually have more control over where they work than physical therapists do.

Skills

Both nurse practitioners and physical therapists need to have excellent communication skills. As health care providers, they need to be able to listen to patients and understand their symptoms and concerns. They also need to be able to explain medical procedures and treatment plans in a way that is easy for patients to understand.

Nurse practitioners need to have strong clinical skills. This includes being able to perform physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests and develop treatment plans. They also need to be able to prescribe medication. Physical therapists need to have strong assessment skills. This includes being able to identify movement impairments and developing individualized treatment plans to address those impairments.

Both nurse practitioners and physical therapists need to be able to work well as part of a team. This includes being able to collaborate with other health care providers, such as physicians, to provide the best possible care for patients.

Salary

Nurse practitioners earn an average salary of $111,297 per year, while physical therapists earn an average salary of $84,744 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the state in which you work, the type of facility you work in and the level of experience you have.