What is a Nurse Practitioner?

Whether you’re in search of a new provider for your child or simply need to get them in for a quick visit, you may at some point get stuck on the difference between a pediatrician and nurse practitioner. Well aside from their professional title, their roles are very similar!

Learn more about what visiting with a Nurse Practitioner means for your child.

What is a nurse practitioner?

Nurse practitioners are an advanced registered nurse with extended education and training. They are also required to obtain a doctoral or master’s level education.

Nurse practitioners are qualified to:

• Diagnose and treat a wide range of illnesses in children (and adults)
• Manage patient relationships and care
• Serve as a pediatrician or primary care provider
• Prescribe treatments and medication
• Equip patients with the proper knowledge on disease prevention, management and healthy lifestyle recommendations
• Place orders for lab or diagnostic testing

Meet our practitioner.

Kaitlyn Layman is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration from Liberty University. She has over 9 years of nursing experience and treats children in all stages of life. Kaitlyn is also a mother who has a sincere approach to pediatric medicine and naturally empathizes with other parents. She encourages all members of the family to live a healthy lifestyle and is passionate about caring for children in the most effective and personalized ways because what works for some, does not work for all. To schedule an appointment with Kaitlyn please click here.

So what’s the difference?

Well, there really aren’t many... Nurse practitioners are just as qualified as doctors, there is often just a variation between training experience and licenses. One of the many things we love most about our team is how closely they work with one another at every level. Our practitioner has years of experience under her belt, but she can also get a second opinion from our experienced pediatricians Dr. Hebbur and Dr. Abraham.

What this means for your child is that Village Pediatrics is always just a call away with top-of-the-line care. It’s also an added bonus that a nurse practitioner can often be seen much sooner than a pediatrician who typically has a full schedule. Whether it’s with our pediatricians or nurse practitioner, we have a knowledgeable team ready to provide the best care for your child!

To schedule an appointment for your child please click here or text (469) 382-3796.