The nurse shortage and the doctor shortage have caused an
evolution in the medical profession. Many states now permit
nurse practitioners to function independently of physicians.
They are permitted to practice on their own. The decline in
primary care MD’s has caused the increase in nurse practitioners
in underserved areas. Today’s medical students are opting to
specialize at a greater rate. There are higher profits in
specialties such as dermatology, oncology and other specialties
than in the traditional fields such as family practice or
pediatrics. With this shortage of primary care physicians,
nurses have taken the reigns and become the primary care givers
in many areas. Nurse practitioners are permitted to prescribe
medications, order tests and perform other tasks that have been
designated to physicians in the past. They are also expected to
consult with a health care provider if the patient’s condition
is beyond their personal expertise. Many have private practices
in rural communities. Nurse practitione