What should you call a nurse practitioner?
“Nurse practitioner,” or NP, is the clearest and most accurate professional title. Nurse practitioners who have earned a doctoral degree may also use the title “doctor,” provided they clearly identify themselves as nurse practitioners. Terms such as “mid-level provider,” “nonphysician provider,” and “physician extender” are inaccurate, confusing, and increasingly out of step with modern health care.
Patients deserve to know who is providing their care, not who that person is not.
The short answer
- Use “nurse practitioner” on first reference.
- Use “NP” on subsequent references.
- When helpful, identify the NP’s clinical focus, such as family nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, or adult-gerontology nurse practitioner.
- An NP who has earned a doctoral degree, such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice or Doctor of Philosophy, may appropriately use the title “doctor.”
- In patient care settings, every health professional who uses the title “doctor” should also state their profession and role.
For example: “I’m Jordan Lee, a nurse practitioner. I’ll be caring for you today.”
For a doctorate-prepared NP: "I’m Dr. Ricardo Jimenez, a nurse practitioner. I’ll be caring for you today.”
A physician should provide the same professional clarity:“I’m Dr. Priya Raman, a cardiovascular physician. I’ll be performing your procedure.”
These introductions are direct, accurate and centered on the patient.
Terms to avoid
Nurse practitioners and the organizations that employ them should avoid referring to NPs as:
- Mid-level providers
- Midlevels
- Physician extenders
- Nonphysician providers
- Limited-license providers
- Allied health providers
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners calls for the retirement of terms such as “mid-level provider” and “physician extender” and endorses referring to NPs by their professional title. It also identifies “non-physician provider,” “limited-license provider,” and “allied health provider” as inaccurate terms when applied to NPs.
Why “mid-level provider” is inaccurate
“Mid-level” suggests that health care can be arranged on a ladder, with some clinicians providing “higher-level” care and others providing something less. That framing does not clearly describe an NP’s profession, education, clinical focus, responsibilities, or role in a patient’s care. It may also leave patients with an obvious question: What exactly is mid-level about the care I am receiving? The term is especially unhelpful because it groups different professions together rather than telling patients which health professional is treating them.
Introducing yourself as a nonphysician provider is about as helpful as saying, "I’m part of the non-foodservice staff here at the hospital."
Technically, it narrows the field. Practically, it tells the patient almost nothing.
Why “nonphysician provider” is not the answer
A nurse practitioner is not defined by not being a physician. “Nonphysician provider” identifies one profession only through its relationship to another. It obscures rather than clarifies the clinician’s professional identity. The category could also encompass many different health professionals, making it a poor substitute for a precise title. Patients should not have to decode institutional terminology to understand who is responsible for their care. “Nurse practitioner” gives them a direct and meaningful answer.
Why “physician extender” should be retired
“Physician extender” suggests that an NP exists primarily to extend the reach of a physician. That description does not accurately communicate the NP’s distinct professional identity or accountability for the care they provide. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners states that NP practice is distinct from other health disciplines and is not an extension of care rendered by a physician or another health care professional. It warns that inaccurate descriptors can confuse the public about NPs’ roles and accountability. The right term is simpler: nurse practitioner.
What about “advanced practice provider”?
Some health systems use “advanced practice provider,” often abbreviated as APP, as an umbrella term. Depending on the organization, it may refer to NPs and PAs or to a broader collection of health professionals. Because its meaning varies, “APP” should not replace the professional title when identifying an individual clinician to a patient or the public.
Less clear: “You will see an advanced practice provider today.”
Better: “You will see a nurse practitioner today.”
When grouping is necessary: “Our clinical team includes nurse practitioners and physician associates.”
Broader terms such as “health care providers,” “health care professionals,” “clinicians,” or “prescribers” may sometimes be useful for policymaking or other forms of grouping. For an individual NP, however, “nurse practitioner” is more precise.
Can nurse practitioners use the title “doctor”?
Yes. A nurse practitioner who has earned a doctoral degree has earned the right to use the academic title “doctor.”
“Doctor” is an educational title. “Physician” is a profession. They are related terms, but they are not interchangeable.
Many professionals who are not physicians appropriately use the title doctor, including psychologists, optometrists, audiologists, pharmacists, physical therapists, and doctorate-prepared nurses. The public routinely encounters doctors from multiple professions and can understand those distinctions when professionals introduce themselves clearly.
The solution is not to reserve an earned academic title for one profession. The solution is transparent identification.
In a clinical setting, a doctorate-prepared NP should pair the title “doctor” with a clear statement of professional role:
“I’m Dr. Anjali Mehta, a nurse practitioner specializing in primary care.”
“I’m Dr. Ricardo Jimenez, an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner.”
“I’m Dr. Morgan Chen, a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner.”
The same expectation should apply across professions:
“I’m Dr. Priya Raman, your cardiovascular physician.”
“I’m Dr. Elena Torres, your psychologist.”
“I’m Dr. Neil Kim, your audiologist.”
The goal is not to diminish anyone’s credentials. It is to ensure that patients understand each member of their health care team.
A note about laws and employer policies
Health professional titling requirements may vary by state, employer, and clinical setting. NPs should follow applicable laws, regulations, credentialing requirements, and organizational policies while advocating for language that accurately reflects their education and profession.