NP vs PA: Who to See When Your Doctor Isn’t Available
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants can both treat you
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants can both treat you
When you have a cough that won’t go away or a sore throat, you want help quickly. If your primary care doctor is not available, remember you still have excellent options.
Many clinics offer same-day care with nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs). These highly trained medical professionals provide a wide range of services, often with shorter wait times. Here’s what you need to know about their training, what they treat and why you can feel confident seeing either one.
What are NPs and PAs?
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are licensed health care providers, have extensive medical training and hold advanced education degrees. They can diagnose, treat and manage many of the same conditions as doctors. Both serve as essential members of today’s medical teams and help expand access to high-quality, timely care.
“Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are highly qualified medical professionals who can provide the same general care services as physicians,” says Carol Coloma, NP, a family nurse practitioner at Scripps HealthExpress in San Marcos.
NPs and PAs by the numbers
The number of NPs and PAs has steadily increased since the 1960s. Both professions began largely in response to a nationwide shortage of primary care physicians.
Today, more than 461,000 licensed NPs and 190,000 certified PAs across the United States in settings ranging from primary care offices to urgent care and specialty clinics, such as cardiology, dermatology, orthopedics and many others.
NPs and PAs at Scripps
Many Scripps primary care and specialty offices include NPs and PAs as integral members of their care teams. In addition, NPs and PAs staff more than a dozen Scripps HealthExpress walk-in clinics. These convenience clinics — located at Scripps Clinic and Scripps Coastal Medical Center sites across San Diego County — provide same-day care for minor illnesses and injuries.
What NPs and PAs have in common
NPs and PAs share many clinical responsibilities and often perform the same types of patient care. Both can:
- Perform physical exams
- Diagnose and treat common, routine and acute illnesses
- Order and interpret lab tests and imaging
- Prescribe medication
- Provide follow-up care, preventive guidance and patient education
This overlap means you can confidently see either provider for most routine medical needs.
Key differences between NPs and PAs
Though their roles often overlap, their training models differ.
NPs roles and training
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who usually begin as registered nurses (RNs) and then complete a graduate-level nursing program. Their training includes advanced coursework and clinical rotations focused on patient assessment, diagnosis and treatment.
Most NPs specialize in population-focused areas, such as family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health or adult gerontology (care for adults of all ages), which are common primary care specialties. Family nurse practitioners make up the largest group.
Other NPs train in acute care and typically work in hospital or specialty settings. They make up a smaller share of the NP workforce.
NP education is based on the nursing model, which focuses on holistic, patient-centered care, prevention and patient education. These elements guide NP practice in different settings, but the focus can change.
For instance, acute care NPs in hospitals may concentrate on managing complex conditions. In contrast, primary care NPs often spend more time on prevention and long-term health management.
NP licensing is done at the state level, generally by the board of nursing for the state in which the NP will practice. Certification is sometimes required to obtain a license. Certification is granted by national organizations in specialty areas of nursing practice.
Depending on the state, NPs may practice independently or in collaboration with a physician. Many states grant NPs full practice authority, while others require a formal agreement with a supervising or collaborating physician.
In California, nurse practitioners can practice on their own after meeting state requirements. However, many still work with doctors based on their role and setting.
PA’s role and training
PA programs follow the medical generalist model, with training that emphasizes diagnosis and disease management.
Their master’s-level programs include intensive classroom education and clinical rotations in areas like primary care, surgery, emergency medicine and pediatrics.
Most PA students have a bachelor’s degree and about three years of health care experience before entering a PA program, according to the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
After training, PAs earn the PA-C credential by passing a national certification exam. Many go on to specialize in fields such as cardiology, orthopedics, dermatology or emergency medicine.
PAs typically practice in collaboration with a physician, though the level of supervision varies by state and employer. In most states, including California, PAs work under a formal practice agreement with a supervising or collaborating physician.
NP vs PA: Which should you choose?
For most common issues, either an NP or PA is a good choice. Both can:
- Diagnose and treat infections (ear, sinus, throat, urinary)
- Manage minor injuries
- Prescribe medications, including antibiotics
- Support chronic conditions like asthma or high blood pressure
- Provide preventive care
“When you are faced with the choice of seeing an NP or PA right away or waiting for a physician, it’s generally better to get in and be seen,” Coloma says.
If your condition requires a physician’s input, the NP or PA will coordinate care and update your primary care doctor.
When you may need a doctor instead
In some situations, an MD or DO may be the best fit for your care. This includes:
- Complex or rare conditions
- Multiple uncontrolled chronic illnesses
- Surgical decisions or procedures
- Conditions requiring highly specialized testing or advanced diagnostics
Even in these cases, NPs and PAs are important for care coordination. They help manage follow-up visits, answer questions and support your long-term health plan.
NP vs PA: Both provide great care
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants provide safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. Their extensive training prepares them to diagnose, treat and support patients with a wide range of health concerns.
Whether you visit an NP, a PA or a physician, you are receiving expert medical attention from a licensed professional committed to your health and well-being.
And when your primary care doctor is not available, seeing a nurse practitioner or physician assistant is an excellent choice. They will not only provide timely and reliable care, they will also keep your primary care doctor updated, so your treatment stays coordinated. This makes NPs and PAs trusted and easy options for getting the care you need when you need it.