Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) are an integral part of our care teams. APPs consist of physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). Both PAs and NPs provide high-quality primary and specialty care for our patients. Similar to physicians, APPs require advanced training and education beyond their initial medical training. Our APPs are focused on health promotion, disease prevention and health education to guide patients to make smarter health and lifestyle choices.
The most significant difference between a PA and an NP is in their educational preparation. A PA attends an intense, three-year graduate-level program with many of the same courses taken by physicians, and receives a master’s degree.
An NP is a registered nurse who attends graduate-level, advanced clinical training beyond their initial professional registered nurse preparation. NPs either have a master’s or doctoral degree.
PAs and NPs practice under the rules and regulations of the state and are board-certified licensed healthcare professionals. PAs are board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. NPs are certified through one or more certifying bodies, including the American Association of Nurse Practitioners or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Both PAs and NPs must participate in ongoing continuing education, maintain a minimum number of hours in clinical practice and re-certify on a regular basis. (PAs every 10 years and NPs every 5 years).