What is the difference between a PA, NP, RN, etc.?
PAs and NPs receive education that is competency based. Both are mid-level practitioners that in the family of medicine are between a physician and a nurse. Physician assistants are individuals trained using the medical school model, which has an expectation of strong basic science background and clinical experience of between 2,000 to 2,500 hours during their educational program. Nurse practitioners are individuals trained using the nursing school model, and are often trained in a specific area such as pediatrics, etc., following their formal training as a nurse.
