The Nurse Is IN: When the Doctor Is a Nurse

Nebraska and Maryland are just the latest converts to a growing trend in healthcare that allows nurses with advanced degrees in certain medical fields to perform such "doctorly" duties as prescribing medication, interpreting diagnostics, or administering treatments, without the oversight of a physician. So far 21 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws permitting this, and another eight are considering it. It's been a boon for rural states that struggle to recruit doctors, but a number of MD's and medical associations oppose the new legislation, saying nurses lack the skills to provide quality medical care. We visit the doctor-less office and test more high tech healthcare.