Who's Who in Your Doctor's Office?
How to tell your MD from your NP, RN and PA
by Candy Sagon, Sarah Barchus, AARP The Magazine, Dec. 2014/Jan. 2015
-
Photograph by Sue Tallon, styling by Thea Chalmers
Behind the Coat
En español l Back in the day, there were doctors and nurses. Now a plethora of health care professionals may be caring for you. Here’s how to keep them straight.
1 of 9 -
Getty Images
Physician (MD)
PAs can diagnose, and prescribe lab tests, treatment and medication. They typically have a master’s degree plus 2,000 hours of training with patients while in PA school. A PA’s white coat is a little shorter than a physician’s.
2 of 9 -
Getty Images
Physician assistant (PA)
An NP has a master’s degree, which includes 500 to 700 hours of direct patient care during nursing school. NPs can do much of what doctors do, including diagnose you and prescribe medications.
3 of 9 -
Istockphoto
AARP Offer: Healthy Living Tips and News
Certified and licensed by the state, RNs administer meds, provide care and otherwise manage patient care. The iconic nurse’s cap all but disappeared by the 1980s, as more men became nurses and there was a switch to unisex scrubs.
4 of 9 -
Getty Images5 of 9
-
Istockphoto
Medical student
En español l Back in the day, there were doctors and nurses. Now a plethora of health care professionals may be caring for you. Here’s how to keep them straight.
6 of 9 -
Istockphoto
Registered nurse (RN)
En español l Back in the day, there were doctors and nurses. Now a plethora of health care professionals may be caring for you. Here’s how to keep them straight.
7 of 9 -
Istockphoto
Technician
En español l Back in the day, there were doctors and nurses. Now a plethora of health care professionals may be caring for you. Here’s how to keep them straight.
8 of 9 -
Getty Images
View More Slideshows
En español l Back in the day, there were doctors and nurses. Now a plethora of health care professionals may be caring for you. Here’s how to keep them straight.
9 of 9
AARP Members Enjoy Health and Wellness Discounts
You can save on eye exams, prescription drugs, hearing aids and more
You May Also Like
- 12 ways to avoid holiday weight gain
- Social Security changes in 2014
- Quiz: What problems do low-income seniors face?
- More health information you can use
Visit the AARP home page every day for great deals and for tips on keeping healthy and sharp