Advanced practice nurses and physician assistants are not the same

Both programs began in 1965 in response to a shortage of primary care physicians, yet each program took a different route to address this need. According to the May 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 109,000 physician assistants and more than 166,000 nurse practitioners practicing in the United States. The projected growth for APN’s and PA’s is slated at 30% by 2020, which could potentially reduce the primary care provider shortage by approximately two-thirds.

With the enactment of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the mandate for APN’s and PA’s to lead patient-centered medical homes continued to grow to meet the demand. Both roles provide direct patient care under the sponsorship of a physician, yet both roles have gained a greater level of independence as state and federal requirements have relaxed restrictive physician collaboration and oversight rules, which has allowed both roles to practice at the highest level of their training. These relaxed restrictions come at a time when a growing physician shortage is met by increased demands placed on the health care system.

Ms. Thew is a certified family nurse practitioner in the division of adolescent medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Email her at pdnews@mdedge.com