FNP/ PA COMPARISON Charlene Baldwin RN, BSN NURS 550 Oct. 1, 2010 Thom Denhalter RN, MSN, FNP-BC

FNP vs PA Definition PA = a licensed healthcare professional that provides medical care under supervision of a MD FNP= a licensed RN with advanced educational training in a clinical specialty that can perform medical acts independently and in collaboration with MD according to state requirements

Philosophy/ Model FNP Nursing/medical model Psychosocial/disease adaptation Wellness/prevention Collaborative with other healthcare professionals PA Medical/physician model Disease centered Biological/pathological Aspects of health, assessment,diagnosis and treatment

EDUCATION for the PA Medical schools affiliation Health care experience required months full time patient care Curriculum is advanced science based Didactics 1000 hrs and 2000 clinical hrs 50% is masters level, otherwise 2 yrs.of schooling ( 2010)

Education for FNP Affiliated with nursing schools, BSN prereq Curriculum is behavioral, natural,humanistic science based Specialty training track: acute care, pediatric,adult,women ’ s health, gerontology 500 didactic hrs. and clinical hrs. Masters prepared ( 2010)

FNP Education (cont) Emphasis on : patient education diagnosis treatment and prevention Not trained for the surgical setting

Certification/ Licensure PA Completion of accredited program Passing of the NCCPA national exam NCCPA is the gold standard Recert every 2 yrs. with 100 CME hrs. National exam every 6 yrs. PA is licensed by their state medical board and the medical Practice Act provisions ( 2010)

Certification/ Licensure NP Accredited Nursing masters degree National certification is voluntary for advanced specialty nurses that prescribe Recert requires 1500hrs direct patient contact and 75 CEUs every 5-6 yrs. NP ’ s practice under basic RN license under the Nurse Practice Act ( 2010)

SCOPE OF PRACTICE/ PA Supervising MD has a broad range of medical task to delegate within state regulation and scope of PA practice There are written guidelines for prescription writing, no on site supervision required for script writing

SCOPE OF PRACTICE/ NP Nursing care is an independent act Order and evaluate labs and x-rays and other testing Orders written or verbal along with prescriptions require MD supervision (not required in AZ) Identify, develop, implement, plan for health maintenance and restoration Prescribe and dispense medication, obtain DEA# Refer and consult with healthcare professionals Sec.N6.03,W1 Administrative code (azpconnection.netfirms.com, 2010)

Reimbursement/Third Party Coverage Both NP and PA ’ s are eligible for Medicaid and Medicare provider certifications NP and PA are usually reimbursed by commercial payers

References azpconnection.nefirms.com. Arizona Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice (2010) As electronically retrieved on Sept. 29, 2010 at: wapa.org. C OMPARISON OF P HYSICIAN A SSISTANTS AND N URSE P RACTITIONERS (2010) As electronically retrieved on Sept. 29, 2010 at: