
What is often referred to as an Advanced Pediatric Practitioner - Nurse Practitioner/ Physician Assistant?
Both APRNs and PAs work alongside physicians in various capacities and must obtain licenses in their respective fields and specialties.
There is also a significant overlap in the healthcare services they provide. Both APRNs and PAs diagnose patients, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medications. There are some core differences when making the APRN vs. PA comparison. Most notably, their educational paths vary, though they both require a graduate education.
The main steps to becoming an APRN include:
Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
Become licensed as a registered nurse (RN) and gain on-the-job experience.
Complete an MSN program.
Pass a national certification exam, depending on specialty.
Obtain state licensure.
The main steps to becoming a PA include:
Complete two years of college coursework in basic and behavioral sciences (similar to premed)
Earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study, such as biochemistry, cellular biology, or pathophysiology.
Gain relevant work experience as a medical assistant, emergency medical technician, or paramedic, for example — most PA programs require three years’ experience.
Earn a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and complete 2,000 hours of clinical rotations to graduate.
Pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE)
Obtain state licensure.
One of the big differences when making the APRN vs. PA comparison is that APRNs focus on a specialty, while PAs practice more generally.
What does a Nurse Practitioner/ Physician Assistant do?
Nurse Practitioners/Physician Assistants function as primary care providers, meaning that they provide care to well and sick children. In addition to treating your child’s acute or chronic illness, they also focus on health and illness prevention, as part of their training.
- Obtain the health history of child and family.
- Perform physical examinations, including newborns.
- Evaluate a child’s growth and development.
- Teach children and teens about self-care and healthy lifestyle choices.
- Order and interpret lab and diagnostic studies.
- Diagnose health problems.
- Develop a treatment plan.
- Order therapy such as speech or physical therapy.
- Make referrals to specialists.
- Provide counseling and guidance.
- Plan a child’s care with parents and caregivers.
- Prescribe medications*
- Advocate for health policies that impact a child’s health through national NP/PA associations.
- Precept nurse practitioner/PA students from local universities to impact quality pediatric care.
* Florida is the only state that limits NP/PAs from writing prescriptions for controlled substances, such as some ADHD medications. This is expected to change in the near future.
Should my child see a Nurse Practitioner/ Physician Assistant?
Most pediatric patient care needs can be satisfied by a nurse practitioner/physician assistant. As always, your trust and comfort in your child’s care is of utmost importance to us. You should select a nurse practitioner, physician assistant or physician with whom you are comfortable and meets your child’s needs.
Some pediatric patients with complicated chronic conditions typically have health care needs that are beyond the level of a Nurse Practitioner’s/ Physician Assistant’s expertise and training. These patients are usually managed by physicians.
In our PHCA offices, physicians are always available for consultations on any patient. NP/PAs work with physicians, just as physicians work with each other to ensure that your child’s care is the very best we can provide.
Learn more about our PHCA nurse practitioner team:
Brandi Doctor, APRN, CPNP (Apollo Beach Office)
Laura Edge, APRN, FNP (Citrus Park Office)
Kristine Evavold, APRN, CPNP (Crossroads Office, Walsingham Office)
Erin Ferroir, APRN, CPNP (Wesley Chapel Office)
Patricia Friedel, APRN, FNP, CLC (Lutz Office)
Mackenzie Johnson, APRN, CPNP (Trinity Office)
Elizabeth (Ryan) Loflin, APRN, CPNP (Big Bend Office)
Gabrielle Mai, APRN, CPNP (Lutz Office)
Laura Sirak, APRN, FNP (FishHawk Office, Wesley Chapel Office)
Katie Steward, APRN, CPNP, IBCLC (Brandon Community Office)
Devan Walicek, APRN, CPNP (South Tampa Office)
Amanda Hoyos, PA-C (South Tampa Office)
Jamie Hamilton, APRN, CPNP (FishHawk Office)
Michelle Jones, APRN, CLC (Northside Office)
Noemi Melendez-Kaylor, PA-C (North Carrollwood Office)
Michelle Ricchino, PA-C (Wesley Chapel Office)