Are you a nurse?
I WENT FOR MY ANNUAL CHECKUP to see my doctor. Before she came into the examination room, I was weighed, had my blood pressure and pulse taken, and was asked several questions about current medications and how I was feeling generally.
I told the young man that he was an accurate, friendly nurse. He thanked me, and told me he was not a nurse, but a medical assistant, or “MA” as they say in the medical world.
When he told me he was an MA, I remembered that I recently added two other medical professionals to my healthcare program who were not doctors or nurses. I now had a nurse practitioner (NP) in neurology and podiatry.
I asked some of my friends if they had any MAs, PAs, or NPs in their group of healthcare professionals, and a few said they did. Then began a conversation on what were these medical professionals.
I pretty much mastered other medical terms. For many years, I had a weekly IM injection to slow down my MS progression. IM means intramuscular. An IM medication is given by needle into the muscle. I also gave myself other injections, shots which were SC or SQ. These are shots given by a needle, for example, just below the skin (subcutaneous).
So, I wanted to find out what MAs, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners are and what the difference is between each medical professional.
MA—medical assistant
Medical assistants, or clinical assistants, are responsible for assisting doctors and nurses in providing care to their patients. Their duties include recording and updating medical histories and contact information in patient files, scheduling patient appointments, and performing standard care procedures like drawing blood, checking vitals, or collecting lab samples.
Medical assistants typically work for hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities to perform administrative and clinical duties to support medical staff. They work closely with other healthcare professionals to communicate with patients and maintain patient confidentiality. Their job can be to restock supplies in examination rooms, change bandages, remove stitches, and perform physical examinations. They may also be responsible for accepting payment from patients and coordinating prescription refills for patients to pick up at their local pharmacy.
A medical assistant candidate should know how to interact with patients and be able to get information from those who may be in distress. They have a background in computers, chemistry, anatomy, and biology. Candidates should be able to use analytical skills to understand medical diagnoses and follow medical charts. They must also understand medical codes.
Medical assistants have the following skills and qualifications:
• Associate’s degree in a medical field
• Pass a minimum of one exam from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies
• 2+ years of working in the healthcare field
• Strong verbal and written skills
• Superior customer-service skills
• A high level of professionalism.
NP—nurse practitioner
A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse and a type of mid-level practitioner. NPs are trained to assess patient needs, order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests, diagnose disease, and formulate and prescribe treatment plans. Basically, NPs are trained to assess, diagnose, order, and interpret medical tests; prescribe medications; and collaborate in the care of patients. The scope of practice for a nurse practitioner varies from state to state and sometimes even from hospital to hospital.
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), becoming an NP “is a rigorous educational process underpinned with evidence-based coursework and clinical rotations. To become an NP, one must be a registered nurse (RN), hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), complete an NP-focused graduate master’s or doctoral nursing program, and successfully pass a national NP board certification exam.”
PA—physician assistant
A physician assistant, or physician associate, is a type of mid-level healthcare provider. PAs may diagnose illnesses, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and serve as a principal healthcare provider.
Physician assistants need a master’s degree and patient care experience. After graduating with a master’s degree, aspiring physician assistants must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) and meet any additional state-specific requirements for licensure to practice.
What is the difference between a nurse practitioner and a physician assistant? Both career fields require intensive education, including a master’s degree, as well as extensive clinical hours working with patients and collaborating with other healthcare providers in medical settings. Both fields of patient care must obtain certification and a license to practice in their state.
PAs and NPs may also choose to specialize in a certain area of expertise. PAs are certified through the NCCPA and must pass a national certification exam in a specific patient population focus, such as midwifery, acute care, or pediatrics. However, NPs and PAs may obtain additional certifications and sub-specialize in a variety of areas such as neurology, dermatology, or cardiology.
Training and scope of practice for nurse practitioners and physician assistants differ in several ways. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the minimum requirement to become a nurse practitioner. Physician assistants typically obtain a Master of Science in Physician Assistant studies by completing a three-year, ARC-PA-accredited graduate program. NP training is based on a nursing model of care, while PA training is based on a medical model of care. PAs and NPs have some autonomy when it comes to their practices, with oversight by a physician, but some state laws allow NPs to practice independently.
Where can nurse practitioners practice? Just like doctors or surgeons, all nurse practitioners have a specialty. The specialty you choose will be the focus of your education, exams, and licensure. You’ll need at least an MSN degree to work as a nurse practitioner in any specialty. Options include:
• Family nurse practitioner (FNP). FNPs work as primary care professionals. They offer a wider range of healthcare services to patients of all ages. This is one of the most common nurse practitioner specialties.
• Adult nurse practitioner. Adult nurse practitioners provide primary care services to adults. This generally includes exams, education, prescriptions, and treatments.
• Pediatric nurse practitioner. Pediatric nurse practitioners provide primary care for patients ranging from babies to teenagers. Like other primary care nurse practitioners, they conduct exams, diagnose health conditions, write prescriptions, and provide treatments.
• Geriatric nurse practitioner. Geriatric nurse practitioners work with older adults. They may work with specific groups such as nursing home residents or people with diabetes. They provide primary care and education to patients.
• Women’s nurse practitioner. A women’s nurse practitioner focuses on women’s health concerns. They provide comprehensive reproductive and gynecological care.
• Neonatal nurse practitioner. Neonatal nurse practitioners work with newborns. They work in labor-and-delivery units and in neonatal-intensivecare units. They often also provide education and counseling to new parents.
• Acute care nurse practitioner. Acute care nurse practitioners work in urgent-care centers or emergency rooms to treat sudden and severe injuries or illnesses.
• Occupational health nurse practitioner (OHNP). OHNPs treat workplace injuries and provide employee education.
On your next medical visit, be aware of the abbreviations MA, NP, and PA. Ask your healthcare professional what their role in your healthcare is and what to expect in your future visits. It is exciting to have these qualified professionals on our health journey!
Sister Karen Zielinski is the Director of Canticle Studio. Canticle Studio is a part of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH’s overall advancement effort and has a mission of being a creative center where artists generate works, products, and services in harmony with the mission of the Sisters St. Francis. She can be reached at kzielins@sistersosf.org or 419-824-3543.
