Are there differences between Physician Assistants (PAs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Nurse Midwives (CNMs)?
PAs and NPs practicing in women’s health and CNMs overlap in the scope of clinical practice. They are trained to conduct physical exams, order and interpret tests, diagnose and treat both acute and chronic illnesses. Counseling and patient education are important aspects of their care. In the OB/GYN setting this includes but is not limited to, well woman exams, assessment of breast masses, incontinence, infertility, colposcopy, osteoporosis, management of ovarian cysts, endometriosis and uterine fibroids, family planning and contraceptive provision, prenatal, and postpartum care. They can be trained to perform procedures such as IUD and Implanon insertion, endometrial and vulvar biopsies, ultrasounding, diaphragm and pessary insertion and some assist in surgery. PAs and NPs can practice in many other specialties of medicine including primary care, family practice, pediatrics, cardiology, endocrinology, orthopedics, emergency care and many other surgical and subspecialties. CNMs special
