What is the difference between a PA and an NP?
This is a huge question. The short answer is that in many situations, you couldn’t tell the difference between the two, based on how they practice. PAs and NPs are often used interchangeably. Key differences are that: • a NP must first be a nurse, PAs come from many backgrounds, including nursing; • the medical model in PA training differs from the nursing model, and is the same approach as used for MDs; • all PAs are trained in general medicine, with internal medicine, family practice, surgery, OB/GYN, pediatrics, psychiatry, etc., whereas NPs are all trained as specialists (e.g. adult, peds, OB/GYN, etc.); • details of licensing are different in different states, with the Nursing Board overseeing NPs and the state Board of Medical Licensure overseeing PAs; • all PAs have a required MD in a supervisory role, while NPs need to have a “collaborating physician” in most states, but may practice independently; • in general, PA students have more hours of supervised clinical practice in the