Lumping PAs with NPs
We recently received this comment from one of our blog entries:
Please stop lumping NP’s and PA’s together. Some, but by no means all Nursing Leadership has been pushing for “independence” for decades. They insist that they are merely “expanding nursing practice” They never say they are “practicing medicine” but tip toe around this by saying that they are practicing “primary care” – which is never defined. They need to be called out on this and I congratulate you for doing so. By the way, the great majority of practicing NPs I know, have no desire to practice “independently”.
PAs on the other hand have always been trained in the medical model and as part of a medical team – NOT independently. I’ve been involved in PA education for 52 years and we advocate “interdependence” – NOT independence.
The recent book that has been promoted on this website also lumps NPs and PAs together. Not helpful and in fact very misleading.
Really? So how about explaining this article from the AAPA called Continuing to Move the PA Profession Forward:
A new version of AAPA’s “Guidelines for State Regulation of PAs,” adopted by the AAPA House of Delegates (HOD) at the AAPA 2016 Conference in May, continues the march toward a more progressive view of PA practice, reflecting changes in the practice of medicine and the growing roles of PAs. Originally adopted in 1988, and amended periodically to reflect the evolution of PA practice, the guidelines describe the collective values, philosophies and principles of the PA profession as they relate to state regulation of PAs.
The newly approved guidelines, which were amended slightly in the HOD before being adopted, provide that PA scope of practice should consist of activities for which the PA is prepared by education and experience, do not tie PA scope of practice to a physician’s, do not require physician delegation, replace references to physician “supervision” with “collaboration,” and repeal the requirement that physicians should be responsible for PA-provided care. One of the most dynamic amendments authorizes state constituent organizations (COs) to pursue even more progressive provisions that would increase PA practice authority, should the opportunity arise.
Look again: “Repeal the requirement that physicians should be responsible for PA-provided care”. The plan for the PAs, by their advocacy groups, is full practice authority. Add to this the number of Doctorate programs in medical science and you can see the writing on the wall. They are using the same playbook.
This is why they are lumped together with NPs.
It’s time for NPs and PAs to speak out against their OWN organizations. Either you are for collaboration or you are not. It is your choice.
Need a contact us link. How do I submit something?
I have been speaking out against it for 44 years as a PA-C. They do not listen,tell me I just don’t understand.
that I am a dinosaur. I like being a PA. I like being part of a team lead by a Physician.. Instead the leadership has been absent by physicians,few physicians want to supervise a PA, or mentor,educate or train..
Selfish self centered jealous, insecure, and do not want responsibility for a PA or NP…
So your loss of control is YOUR FAULT.Your leadership among yourselves is fractured,by jealousy, competition and in fighting to gain some nebulous advantage over fellow physicians. Academic and Hospital politics.. Yea you. Now we ae reaping what you have sown.. Oh yes,fight government idiots,Health Insurance companies and all the local unions of nurses,who swell the ranks of admin at every hospital in the country..
Are you up for this? Not from where I sit.. When it hits the fan be prepared with a plan to put it all back together.. Good Luck and God help us All…