What is the difference between a physicians assistant and a nurse practitioner?
Nurse practitioners bring to the practice a baccalaureate degree with a minimum of one year of clinical practice, plus the graduate degree with 700 hours of advanced practicum. Upon completion of the Master’s degree, nurse practitioners are eligible to practice autonomously with prescriptive authority and a collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. Physician’s assistants are prepared to assess and diagnose, but are not licensed for autonomous practice, prescriptive authority, or direct reimbursement.