| Aspect | Only Physician | Nurse Practitioner |
|---|
| Required Credentials | Medical degree (MD or DO), residency, medical license | Master's or Doctorate in Nursing, national certification, state license |
| Work Environment | Hospitals, clinics, private practices, specialized medical settings | Primary care clinics, hospitals, outpatient settings, community health |
| Industry Usage | Licensed to diagnose, treat, prescribe, and perform procedures | Diagnose, treat, prescribe, often with some limitations compared to physicians |
In summary, Only Physicians hold medical degrees and extensive training, allowing them to perform a wider range of medical procedures and diagnoses. Nurse Practitioners also provide primary care and treatment but typically have different educational paths and scope of practice. Both roles are vital in healthcare but differ mainly in training, authority, and work settings.