Course Summary

Expiration Date: 03/31/2029

The United States is facing a growing physician shortage, particularly in primary care, even as the number of nurse practitioners (NPs) is rapidly expanding. This course examines the evolving relationship between physicians and NPs, highlighting their distinct roles, overlapping responsibilities, and complementary strengths. It explores the expansion of NP practice authority, the controversies and opportunities it creates, and the ways collaboration can improve patient access, satisfaction, and outcomes. By focusing on role clarity, mutual respect, and shared commitment to patient care, healthcare teams can leverage the skills of both physicians and NPs to address workforce gaps and build more effective, patient-centered systems of care.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
    • Understanding the Roles: Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
    • The Physician Shortage: An Urgent Challenge
    • Expanding NP Roles: Progress and Controversy
    • Building Stronger Physician–NP Relationships
    • Collaboration in Action: Examples of Practice Settings
    • Addressing Barriers to Collaboration
    • Key Takeaway Points

Authors

Sarah Schulze, MSN, APRN, CPNP

Sarah Schulze is a board certified pediatric nurse practitioner and professional medical content writer. She earned her BSN from Indiana State University and her MSN from University of Illinois at Chicago. In clinical practice as an RN and NP, she has experience in a variety of settings; including critical care, PACU, pediatrics, mental health, and lactation support. She currently owns and operates a private practice providing outpatient mental health services to children and adolescents. As a writer, she has developed content for many CEU courses, medical apps, health education curricula, NCLEX study materials, health blogs, and more.

William Cook, PhD

William Cook, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who worked for 15 years in private practice in Montana before leaving his practice to work full time as the Director of CE4Less. He earned his doctorate degree from Texas A&M University, and focused much of his psychology practice in the area of child and family counseling, as well as psychological testing. Dr. Cook likes new challenges, foreign traveling to Africa and areas of Europe and the near East, scuba diving, running, music, and spending time with his family.