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Key points
- Nurse practitioners can treat patients and prescribe medications in urgent care centers in many states.
- The staffing composition and policies of the urgent care center can determine whether you see a nurse practitioner or a doctor.
- Patients can express a preference for seeing a nurse practitioner at check-in.
- Besides nurse practitioners, patients may interact with doctors, nurses, and lab technicians at urgent care centers.
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It is Possible You'll See a Nurse Practitioner
Depending on the urgent care center, you may see a nurse practitioner instead of an urgent care doctor. There are a few things that can determine this. First, the staffing composition of the clinic. Doctors are more expensive to employ and if the same treatment can be provided by a nurse practitioner, that is many times preferred. Even if an urgent care employs doctors, they may not be scheduled all the time and have nurse practitioners see patients during slower periods. Second, the policies of the facility may govern the types of patients or cases a doctor sees vs. nurse practitioner. For instance, r facilities have patients with more common or less severe conditions see a nurse practitioner. Finally, it may also depend on your preferences.
Check With the Front Desk
If you specifically would prefer to see a nurse practitioner, it's a good idea to let the front desk know this when you check in. They will be able to let you know if this is possible or not. In some cases, it may not be a possibility due to staffing and how busy the center is at the time.
Is it Worth Seeing a Nurse Practitioner?
Currently 18 states, as well as the District of Columbia, allow nurse practitioners to prescribe medications and treat patients without having to have involvement from a doctor at all. Because of this, a nurse practitioner can treat you and ensures that you're getting the care that you need in the same manner that a medical doctor would. In the remaining states, nurse practitioners can do varying levels of care and prescribing medication, though they may need oversight of a doctor either on-site or through remote relationships.
Who Else Will I See?
While you're at the urgent care facility, you may see a variety of medical professionals. Even if you primarily work with a nurse practitioner, you may see a doctor while you are there. On top of that, you'll probably see a nurse, as well as lab technicians. Depending on the condition you come into the urgent care for, you'll see a variety of people while you are there.
FAQs
Can I see a nurse practitioner at an urgent care center?
Yes, it's possible to see a nurse practitioner at an urgent care center depending on the state and the center's staffing.
Can nurse practitioners prescribe medications?
Yes, in many states, nurse practitioners can prescribe medications and treat patients without a doctor's involvement.
Can I request to see a nurse practitioner specifically?
Yes, you can express your preference to see a nurse practitioner when you check in at the urgent care center.
Will I only see a nurse practitioner at an urgent care center?
No, you may also interact with doctors, nurses, and lab technicians depending on your condition and the center's staffing.
Do nurse practitioners provide the same level of care as doctors?
Yes, nurse practitioners can provide the same care as a medical doctor would, including treating patients and prescribing medications.
Who else might I see at an urgent care center besides a nurse practitioner?
In addition to a nurse practitioner, you may see a variety of medical professionals at an urgent care center, including doctors, nurses, and lab technicians.
Are nurse practitioners more or less expensive to employ than doctors?
Nurse practitioners are generally less expensive to employ than doctors, which is why some urgent care centers may prefer to have them provide treatment when possible.
Can a nurse practitioner handle severe medical conditions?
Typically, nurse practitioners handle more common or less severe conditions. However, the exact types of cases a nurse practitioner can handle may vary depending on the policies of the facility.
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How we reviewed this article
Medically reviewed
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