While some of you work with NPs and PAs in your practice, many still may be unfamiliar with what these health care professionals actually do in a private practice. NPs practice under the rules and regulations of the Nurse Practice Act in the state in which they work. Most are also nationally certified as NPs. The designation PA-C means the PA has been certified by the National Commission of Certification of PAs.
PAs do the same activities as NPs diagnosing, treating and managing patients health care.
The specific work of NPs and PAs varies, depending upon their training, expertise and state law. Job descriptions also are dependent upon the supervising physician. Most NPs and PAs are required to have written protocols with their prescribing physician, which direct how care is provided for the patients they see. While the majority of NPs and PAs see patients and manage their care much as a physician does, some specialize as patient educators, run clinical trials within the practice and perform other management services for the practice. Generally, NPs and PAs see most of the same types of patients as the physician.