Have you ever wondered if it would be OK to have your next doctor’s visit not with a doctor? As the landscape of healthcare continues to change, you may find yourself considering a visit to a nurse practitioner. After all, medicine is virtually a team sport made up of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants, technicians, and the list goes on. So why would one elect to see a nurse practitioner instead of the doctor? To start, let’s take a deeper look at how one becomes a nurse practitioner.
Most people are aware of the level of education and training one must go through to become a doctor, but what many may not know, is that nurse practitioners also receive extensive education. It takes roughly six to eight years of postsecondary education and training for one to become a nurse practitioner. To start, a 4-year bachelor’s degree must be earned to become a registered nurse. Then, one must complete an additional two to four years of post-graduate education to earn a masters or a doctorate in nursing. In addition to these earned degrees, nurse practitioner candidates must also pass national certification exams and obtain state licensure as advanced practice providers. They are then subject to ongoing requirements for continuing education to keep skills and knowledge up-to-date.
While the laws vary from state to state, nurse practitioners in Georgia all maintain Collaborative Practice Agreements with a physician. While the licensed nurse practitioner provides care to patients, the physician is always available to consult on complex cases. In addition, a certain number of routine patient visits are reviewed by the physician for quality assurance purposes. Often this collaborative structure is a benefit for patients who may find their care enhanced by multiple providers teaming together.
Now that you may be more familiar with the background and training of a nurse practitioner, you might be asking yourself why you should consider scheduling your next visit with one. To start, history shows that it may be easier to obtain an appointment with a nurse practitioner than a doctor. Not having to work around surgery schedules, hospital rounds, and more allows for greater access to a nurse practitioner than you may get from a doctor. On top of that, because scheduling obstacles tend to be less frequent, greater time may be spent with you during your visit. Lastly, enjoy peace of mind knowing that a nurse practitioner is fully capable of providing a full exam just like you would receive from a doctor. This includes a complete review of medical history, a thorough physical exam, all necessary lab work and genetic testing, and prescriptions for medications.
Erin Mabile, MSN, WHNP-BC, with North Atlanta Ob/Gyn is currently accepting new patients. Erin is a nationally certified women’s health nurse practitioner assisting patients at locations throughout Alpharetta, Marietta, and Atlanta, Georgia.
Erin completed her nursing degree at Georgia State University in Atlanta. She then earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Emory University where she was a Woodruff Scholar and graduated Summa Cum Laude. She spent several years working in family planning prior to joining North Atlanta Ob/Gyn.
Erin’s health care approach emphasizes prevention and holistic care. She is passionate about assisting patients of any age with all their sexual and reproductive health needs. Empowering individuals, honoring diversity, and promoting health equity are key components of her personal philosophy. She seeks to create lasting partnerships with her patients that will improve their quality of life and sense of well-being for years to come.
When she is not working, you can find Erin exploring the outdoors with her husband and dog.
Call North Atlanta Ob/Gyn today to schedule your next gynecological appointment with nurse practitioner Erin Mabile, call 404.255.0621 or book online.
