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If you’re considering adding nonphysician providers to your hospital medicine group, it’s important to know your state laws. Different states have different rules for what nurse practitioners and physician assistants are allowed to do. But here’s an overview of the traditional scope of practice of nurse practitioners and physician assistants and how they are trained.
Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses with additional education beyond their registered nurse training. Typically, NPs earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as a 2- or 4-year graduate degree. Increasingly, NP programs are offering doctoral-level degrees with the title of doctor of nursing practice (DNP).
NPs are trained to provide nursing and medical services that include taking histories, conducting physical exams, writing orders, conducting and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and providing counseling. NPs can practice independently or in collaboration with physicians depending on the applicable state laws and regulations.
Sources: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American College of Nurse Practitioners.
Learn more:
Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice
Physician Assistants
Most physician assistants have completed a bachelor’s degree and have some health care experience before beginning a 24- to 32-month PA training program. PAs must also pass a national certification exam administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. And they need to complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every 2 years and a recertification exam every 6 years in order to maintain their certification.
PA education includes courses in basic sciences, pharmacology, behavioral sciences, clinical medicine, as well as clinical rotations. To practice, PAs must be authorized by the state and work under the supervision of a licensed physician. PAs are trained to take histories and conduct physical exams, order and interpret tests, assist in surgery, prescribe medications, and provide counseling on preventive care.
Source: American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Learn more:
If you’re considering adding nonphysician providers to your hospital medicine group, it’s important to know your state laws. Different states have different rules for what nurse practitioners and physician assistants are allowed to do. But here’s an overview of the traditional scope of practice of nurse practitioners and physician assistants and how they are trained.
Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses with additional education beyond their registered nurse training. Typically, NPs earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as a 2- or 4-year graduate degree. Increasingly, NP programs are offering doctoral-level degrees with the title of doctor of nursing practice (DNP).
NPs are trained to provide nursing and medical services that include taking histories, conducting physical exams, writing orders, conducting and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and providing counseling. NPs can practice independently or in collaboration with physicians depending on the applicable state laws and regulations.
Sources: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American College of Nurse Practitioners.
Learn more:
Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice
Physician Assistants
Most physician assistants have completed a bachelor’s degree and have some health care experience before beginning a 24- to 32-month PA training program. PAs must also pass a national certification exam administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. And they need to complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every 2 years and a recertification exam every 6 years in order to maintain their certification.
PA education includes courses in basic sciences, pharmacology, behavioral sciences, clinical medicine, as well as clinical rotations. To practice, PAs must be authorized by the state and work under the supervision of a licensed physician. PAs are trained to take histories and conduct physical exams, order and interpret tests, assist in surgery, prescribe medications, and provide counseling on preventive care.
Source: American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Learn more:
If you’re considering adding nonphysician providers to your hospital medicine group, it’s important to know your state laws. Different states have different rules for what nurse practitioners and physician assistants are allowed to do. But here’s an overview of the traditional scope of practice of nurse practitioners and physician assistants and how they are trained.
Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses with additional education beyond their registered nurse training. Typically, NPs earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as a 2- or 4-year graduate degree. Increasingly, NP programs are offering doctoral-level degrees with the title of doctor of nursing practice (DNP).
NPs are trained to provide nursing and medical services that include taking histories, conducting physical exams, writing orders, conducting and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and providing counseling. NPs can practice independently or in collaboration with physicians depending on the applicable state laws and regulations.
Sources: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American College of Nurse Practitioners.
Learn more:
Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice
Physician Assistants
Most physician assistants have completed a bachelor’s degree and have some health care experience before beginning a 24- to 32-month PA training program. PAs must also pass a national certification exam administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. And they need to complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every 2 years and a recertification exam every 6 years in order to maintain their certification.
PA education includes courses in basic sciences, pharmacology, behavioral sciences, clinical medicine, as well as clinical rotations. To practice, PAs must be authorized by the state and work under the supervision of a licensed physician. PAs are trained to take histories and conduct physical exams, order and interpret tests, assist in surgery, prescribe medications, and provide counseling on preventive care.
Source: American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Learn more: