One of the main differences between PA education and physician education is not the core content of the curriculum, but the amount of time spent in school. PA instruction averages 111 weeks, and a typical medical school runs 155 weeks. Physicians also are required to do an internship, and the majority also complete a residency in a specialty following that. PAs do not have to undertake an internship or residency. A doctor has complete responsibility for the care of the patient.
PAs share that responsibility with the doctors.
Doctors are independent practitioners. PAs practice medicine with the supervision of a physician. The physician is generally not required to be on site when the physician assistant is treating a patient. Registered nurses study nursing and PAs study medicine. While some areas of education overlap, nurses focus on nursing assessment and patient care issues.