Oh here in midwest/IL nurses can and often do become PAs—depends on what they want to do after they get their BSN—either become Nurse Pract. or PA. Daughter has been examined/treated by both—one a midwife who works for ob/gyn & one a PA that works for dermatologist, and they seem to have equal levels of expertise and responsibility.
So they are assistants in private practice. Do either the NPs or the PAs get to work independently without Medical oversight?
In Iowa NP’s can work independently but PA’s cannot. I think this varies depending on the state. Nursing was my first career - primarily public health. I wasn’t a NP but worked independently in that context.
So they are assistants in private practice. Do either the “NPs or the PAs get to work independently without Medical oversight?”
<<<Good question...I was told by one school that Nurse Practioners are able to practice autonomously, and I read that as well—conceivably a NP could put out a shingle and write perscriptions?! From what I read, Physician Assistants practice under auspices of Physician—which made Nurse Practioner appear to be the position requiring more responsibility, etc. even tho Physicians Assistants seem to be perceived as having more responsibility/autonomy by lay people.. In looking into the profession, seems to me that there are far more NP programs than PA programs, with most of the PA programs being offered through more expensive private schools.
Do you think that being able to practice without medical oversight is a critical issue to the field? I know that both of the women with whom we have “patient experience”, the PA in dermatology and the NP in Women’s health seem to be working fairly autonomously in a private group practice setting. One time the PA did consult the Dermatologist for a second opinion; but for the first few appoitnments, I was not even aware that we were being seen by a PA. I have also heard there are now Surgical Assistants, fairly new branch of PAs that can do quite well.
My interest in this subject is sincere as my future daughter in-law is in her first year as a PA, and one of my children is considering BSN and continuing as a NP if finances permit.