What does a Nurse Practitioner Do!? RN vs NP vs PA vs MD/DO Explained!

In this video, I break down what a Nurse Practitioner (NP) actually does, how Nurse Practitioners are trained, and how the role compares to Registered Nurses (RNs), Physician Assistants (PAs), and Physicians (MDs/DOs). Whether you're a patient wondering why you were scheduled with a Nurse Practitioner, a nursing student exploring career options, or a healthcare professional interested in learning more about the NP role, this video will help clarify some of the most common questions and misconceptions surrounding the profession. We'll cover: • What a Nurse Practitioner does • How Nurse Practitioners are trained • RN vs NP • NP vs PA • NP vs MD/DO • The pathway from RN to NP • What I do as a Nurse Practitioner in orthopedic spine surgery A little about me: I was originally trained as a Family Medicine physician in Venezuela before moving to the United States, where I worked as a Medical Assistant, became a Registered Nurse, and eventually a Nurse Practitioner. Today, I practice in orthopedic spine surgery, both in clinic and in the operating room. If you enjoyed this video, please consider liking, subscribing, and turning on notifications for future content. Upcoming videos: • Life as a Nurse Practitioner • How to Become a Nurse Practitioner • Nurse Practitioner Specialties • My Journey from Physician to RN to NP • Healthcare Career Pathways for Foreign Physicians and Nurses Subscribe for more content on healthcare careers, nursing, medicine, patient education, and life as a Nurse Practitioner.