A number of postgraduate PA programs have also been established to provide practicing PAs with advanced education in medical specialties. PAs work in every health care setting imaginable. About 19 percent are in surgery or the surgical subspecialties. Physician assistants receive a broad education in medicine. Their education is ongoing after graduation through continuing medical education requirements and continual interaction with physicians and other health care providers.
PAs work under the supervision of a physician.
They must meet the entrance requirements of a PA program, but that does not necessarily include a background in medicine or nursing. In contrast, NPs may work independently or in collaboration with a physician and must have an RN license before being accepted into an NP educational program. The distinction between under and with was made to note that much of the PAs work is done without direct physician supervision. In addition, the entrance requirements for nearly all PA programs require a background of patient focused healthcare experience. The AAPA is the only national professional society to represent all physician assistants in every area of medicine.