Specifically, what is the difference between a physician assistant and a medical assistant?

What is the difference between a Physician and a Physician Assistant.?

• I am planning on going to school to be a an RN, but after that I am leaning towards becoming a PA. Can some some give more info about what a PA does and what the difference between a ...show more

• Answer:

  a Physician Assistant works under/for a physician and must be technically supervised. a PA can perform many of the same duties as a physician. once you have your RN it would be just as easy to become a Nurse Practitioner as becoming a PA. for info about PA: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm For information on a career as a physician assistant, including a list of accredited programs, contact: American Academy of Physician Assistants Information Center 950 North Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314 http://www.aapa.org For eligibility requirements and a description of the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination, contact: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Inc. 12000 Findley Rd., Suite 200 Duluth, GA 30097 http://www.nccpa.net for info about NP: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm For information on nurse practitioners, including a list of accredited programs, contact: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners P.O. Box 12846 Austin, TX 78711 http://www.aanp.org For information on nurse practitioners education, contact: National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties 1522 K St. NW., Suite 702 Washington, DC 20005. http://www.nonpf.org