Naturopathy and Nurse Practitioner: What’s the Difference?

Different Skill Sets To Support Your Health Journey

Do you know the difference between a Naturopathic Doctor and a Nurse Practitioner?

Have you ever wondered how these two medical specialties compare? The key distinction lies in training and scope of practice.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses with advanced education and extensive

experience across a variety of clinical settings within the health care system. NPs are licensed to diagnose conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications.

Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are trained in naturopathy—the study of natural and alternative

medicine—and typically work in private practice. Their training includes homeopathy, botanical medicine, and acupuncture (rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine), and they often incorporate these modalities into their treatment plans. Many NDs choose to specialize in particular areas of practice.

While NDs can order some diagnostic tests, their scope is limited—usually to basic

bloodwork—and they have a restricted list of medications they may prescribe. Not all NDs hold prescribing rights, as this requires additional certification.

Anna Rider (NP), founder of Flourish Healthcare, integrates her clinical expertise with a

functional medicine approach. Functional medicine emphasizes personalized care by

investigating the root cause of symptoms and developing tailored treatment plans. These plans may include lifestyle changes, nutraceuticals (supplements) or herbal medicine, nutritional guidance, prescriptions (if indicated), and, when necessary, additional diagnostic testing. This creates a comprehensive, holistic model of care.

Work with Anna on your journey to better health and flourishing.