A doctor discusses a medical report with nurses in a hospital hallway. Amid a critical shortage of physicians throughout the U.S. and an increase in the number of nurse practitioners with doctorates, ...

When nurse practitioner Payal Patel changed medical practices, patient Ni-Ima Lattimer went with her. The Hempstead woman said she’s more comfortable with her and other nurses than with physicians.

Even by rural hospital standards, Keokuk County Hospital in Sigourney, Iowa, is small. The 14-bed hospital, in the southeastern part of the state, doesn't do surgeries or deliver babies. The small ...

As the supply of physicians lags behind patient demand across Louisiana and nationally, nurse practitioners are working to fill the gaps. As the discrepancy between the number of doctors and need ...