Average time it takes to be seen by a provider
Verified providers with a 4.8 average rating
In the business of finding quality care for patients
There are currently 26 Nurse Practitioners in Houston available for booking on Zocdoc. Filter by insurance, language, or appointment time to find your best match.
On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for a Nurse Practitioner in Houston, book an appointment, and see the Nurse Practitioner within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of Nurse Practitioners in Houston who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Houston Nurse Practitioner who takes your insurance. Just choose your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re not sure which plan you have, you can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to find out.
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find Nurse Practitioners in Houston and book appointments instantly. You can search for Houston Nurse Practitioners by symptom or visit reason. Then, choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
When you search for Houston Nurse Practitioners on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Nurse Practitioners in Houston who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Houston Nurse Practitioners with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Nurse Practitioners in Houston who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, they’re invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdoc’s guidelines.
Nurse Practitioners in Houston on Zocdoc who see patients through online video visits will have a purple video icon on their profiles. You can also filter your search results to show only Nurse Practitioners who offer video visits.
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Nurse Practitioners in Houston who accept your insurance for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Nurse Practitioner who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page.
Zocdoc let's you see real-time availability for Nurse Practitioners in Houston. Many Nurse Practitioners offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
Per the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, NPs train and attain a license to focus on managing and promoting patients' overall health, treating illnesses and injuries, and extending support in surgeries and the prevention of diseases. NPs are integral to the medical industry, providing comprehensive patient care.
NPs operate in various settings, such as hospitals, emergency rooms, surgical clinics, managed care facilities, and private practice settings. NPs are responsible for treating various health conditions and specialize in fields such as pediatrics, gerontology, psychiatric disorders, women's health, etc. They perform a combination of tasks and duties, such as:
Nurse practitioners work in different healthcare settings, depending on their expertise. These skilled professionals play essential roles in different environments, including:
Aspiring nurse practitioners in the US must first become registered nurses (RN). For this, they must enroll in a program leading to an Associate's (ADN) or Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN). Aspiring nurses may then complete their Bachelor of Nursing Science degree if they still need to get one. Nurses with an ADN degree can enroll in expedited RN-BSN programs, several of which are available online. Some nurses skip gaining nursing experience and immediately enroll in a graduate program.
Registered nurses with a bachelor's degree can become nurse practitioners by obtaining a master's degree. Several institutions offer the highest level of nursing education through programs leading to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) qualification. They have to go through clinical rotations to gain hands-on experience in medical settings where they provide primary care under the supervision of experienced physicians.
Nursing candidates must research the prerequisites to become an NP in the state where they intend to work because each state has its own standards for NP licensure. NPs must take the National Licensing Exam (NCLEX-RN) before practicing medicine. Certification is also necessary for NPs after completing their educational programs. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Credentialing Center are the two most widely known organizations for certification.
Some NP specialties include the following:
Psychiatric nurse practitioners provide comprehensive mental health care to adults, children, and families. They treat individuals with specific mental health disorders, conditions, and substance use disorders.
Emergency nurse practitioners provide care to people who need it urgently. Emergency departments assess individuals to determine the urgency of care required. They are responsible for making treatment decisions and overseeing patients' conditions.
Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners provide healthcare for adults of all ages. They help people manage their diseases and chronic health conditions.
Neonatal nurse practitioners care for sick or premature babies. They can identify diseases and offer treatment. In certain situations, they might even help with childbirth.
A women's health nurse practitioner provides care for women and individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) throughout their lifetime. The care they offer may encompass reproductive, gynecological, or obstetric services.
An orthopedic nurse practitioner provides healthcare for individuals with musculoskeletal issues, including diseases and injuries involving muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissue.
An aesthetic nurse practitioner provides care to individuals undergoing cosmetic procedures. They assess patients, provide counseling on potential surgical procedures, perform cosmetic procedures, and assist in postoperative care.
An oncology nurse practitioner provides all-around care to individuals with cancer, collaborating with oncologists and other healthcare professionals to create treatment plans and oversee patient care.
Acute care nurse practitioners provide healthcare to adults in acute care settings. This means they offer short-term medical treatment for patients with severe injuries or illnesses. They may also provide care after you've experienced trauma or surgery.
Registered nurses and nurse practitioners both attend to patient monitoring and care. The most significant distinction between the two professions is that NPs are authorized to carry out tasks typically performed by doctors, such as prescribing treatments, ordering tests, and diagnosing patients. In contrast, registered nurses (RNs) cannot perform these duties.
RNs typically work under a physician who decides the diagnoses, patient care, and follow-up procedures. Thus, nurse practitioners have greater autonomy and responsibility because of their higher education, training, and experience than registered nurses. In some states like Massachusetts, nurse practitioners can even practice without the supervision of a physician. They can work independently, prescribe medication, and order diagnostic tests, thus providing primary care.
Nurse practitioners can specialize in various fields. Some of the specialty practice areas in which nurse practitioners can get certified are:
Based on their chosen specialty, NPs care for a dedicated section/age group/gender of people, such as adults, families, children, and women.
Both nurse practitioners (NP) and medical doctors (MD) diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications to patients. They can work independently without a physician in most states but are restricted to do so in a few states. Hence, their authority differs from state to state due to the regulations.
Moreover, medical doctors undergo intensive training and must complete a residency. On the other hand, nurse practitioners only have to complete a practicum. Their respective education is also different.
As a result, doctors have higher authority over patients' illnesses and injuries in all states. The authority of a nurse practitioner includes the following three levels:
Nurse practitioners have full authority in the District of Columbia and over 20 other states.
Moreover, the demand for nurse practitioners has consistently grown in the United States. They help fill the gap and play the role of a physician in areas with limited access to primary care.
A nurse practitioner has the knowledge and expertise to diagnose acute and chronic conditions.
They are similar to a medical doctor and can even give referrals to specialists for better care. You can see a nurse practitioner near you if you want an affordable diagnosis and treatment for your condition.
A healthy lifestyle can improve your well-being. Here are some key healthcare tips to help you stay fit:
These are general health recommendations. For personalized advice, consult a healthcare professional.
Many Americans are choosing nurse practitioners for many of their healthcare requirements. NPs provide many services for acute and chronic conditions and are critical to the modern healthcare system. Finding the right nurse practitioner who matches your needs is vital.
Zocdoc makes it simple to find the top-rated nurse practitioners in your city. You can search for an NP based on the particular health concern or procedure you want treatment for. Our algorithm will provide you with a list of the best nurse practitioners in your area.
Zocdoc also has advanced filters to narrow your search, such as location, date, time of appointment, gender of the NP, availability, distance from your area, languages spoken by the healthcare professional, etc. Moreover, Zocdoc has a great feature that lets you find doctors who accept your insurance so that you can cover your payment with it.
If you can't find your insurance plan on Zocdoc, you can try uploading a photo of your medical insurance card. We will scan the image and display your likely plan. If you have trouble uploading the card image, please contact our service team. If you have additional insurance-related queries, you can visit Zocdoc's insurance page. All these factors ensure you find a professional nurse practitioner near you that fits your comfort and needs.
If you cannot make an in-person visit, you can book an online appointment facilitated via a video call with the healthcare professional. You can also find all the details about the practitioners listed on this platform, such as their education and training, experience, certifications, licenses, clinical interests, etc. You can review the verified patient reviews of these healthcare experts to help you choose the right professional.
Moreover, Booking appointments on Zocdoc is easy, quick, and completely free!
Per the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) figures issued in April 2022, the number of licensed nurse practitioners in the United States has increased to more than 355,000, an increase of 9% from the estimated 325,000 licensed NPs reported in May 2021. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the role of NPs will grow by 36% by 2026.
According to O*Net Online, there were about 14,820 nurse practitioners in Texas in 2020. This number could increase by 66% to about 24,600 by 2030. There are about 3,520 nurse practitioners in Houston. The demand for NPs in Houston is on the rise.
Point Loma Nazarene University
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.