If you’ve been seeing more nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) at your doctor’s office lately, there’s a reason for it: There are more than 300,000 NPs and more than 150,000 PAs employed in the United States.1
Both NPs and PAs offer medical care that is combined with a focus on your individual health needs. And they can be a practical alternative to doctors. They may also help cut back on those long wait times at doctors’ offices.
Here’s a look at what NPs and PAs are, how they’re different and what kind of care you can expect from them.
Want to skip the waiting room? A telehealth membership provides care for general medicine, behavioral health and dermatology. You can also call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.
What is a nurse practitioner, and can I choose one as my primary care provider?
An NP is a highly educated and trained healthcare provider who can fill many roles, including being your primary care provider.2
For someone to become an NP, they must:2
- Be a licensed registered nurse (RN) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree
- Complete a master’s or doctoral degree program
- Receive advanced clinical training
They have to do hundreds of hours of coursework and practical training, which builds the advanced knowledge, skills and abilities needed to practice in primary care, acute care and long-term health settings.2 In addition to primary care, NPs work in:3
They take care of patients of all ages — from infants to older adults.
They play a very important and much needed role in healthcare, says Leanne Fowler, a Doctor of Nursing Practice in New Orleans. “I think the greatest impact of their role is to improve and increase access to primary care, specialty care and hospital care,” says Fowler.
Besides taking part in primary care, NPs can:4
- Diagnose and treat illnesses
- Do physical exams and routine screenings
- Take care of a range of medical procedures, from treating diabetes to setting broken bones
What a nurse practitioner does and who they can do it for — also known as their scope of practice — depends on their licensure and training, as well as the laws of the state they work in. In some states, they can have their own private practice. In other states, they are required to be supervised by a medical doctor or contract with a physician to be able to offer their services.3
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What is a physician assistant, and can I choose one as my primary care provider?
Like NPs, PAs have to get a certain level of experience and education before they can work in hospitals and clinical practices. While they practice medicine under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician, they can also serve as primary care provider.5
Education-wise, PAs usually take this route:6
- Bachelor’s degree in healthcare or the sciences
- Gain work experience in clinical settings
- Complete an accredited PA program
- Take a 300-question, 5-hour exam to receive PA credentials
- Receive a license from their state medical board (this varies state by state)
Here’s a look at some of the things PAs can do:5
- Develop patient treatment plans
- Order labs and diagnostic studies
Besides primary care, PAs also tend to practice in a number of healthcare disciplines, including:5
Their jobs can also include clinical practice, patient education, team leadership, medical education, health administration and research.5
What’s the difference between a nurse practitioner and a physician assistant?
While an NP or a PA can serve as your primary care provider, there are some differences in what they do. The main differences include:5,7
- NPs tend to specialize in focusing on patients who may be of a certain age or have a particular condition, while PAs tend to focus on a specific area of medicine (i.e., emergency or internal).
- Both NPs and PAs work independently, but in most states, PAs have to work with or under a physician.
- NPs mainly adhere to a patient-focused nursing model of care, while PAs follow a disease-centered model.
Why should you see a nurse practitioner over a physician assistant (or vice versa)?
That’s really up to you. Since they can both do a lot of the same things that a doctor can do, such as perform physical exams and prescribe medications, they’ll both give you the care you need to stay healthy. And that’s what seeing a healthcare provider is all about.
Learn more about telehealth plan options today. You can also call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.
For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.
Sources:
1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.” May 2024. Retrieved from https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/industry/000000
2. University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. “Nurse Practitioner vs. Physician Assistant: Key Differences.” November 5, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.usa.edu/blog/np-vs-pa/
3. Marymount University. “What Is an FNP? Role and Scope of Practice.” June 10, 2024. Retrieved from https://marymount.edu/blog/what-is-an-fnp-understanding-the-role-and-scope-of-practice/
4. American Association of Nurse Practitioners. “What’s a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?” Retrieved from https://www.aanp.org/about/all-about-nps/whats-a-nurse-practitioner Accessed February 3, 2026.
5. Tufts University School of Medicine. “Tufts PA: Your Path to Becoming a Physician Assistant” Retrieved from https://medicine.tufts.edu/academics/physician-assistant/pa-program-overview/what-physician-assistant Accessed February 3, 2026.
6. Harvard Extension School. “How to Become a Physician Assistant.” April 1, 2025. Retrieved from https://extension.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-become-a-physician-assistant/#Steps-to-Become-a-Physician-Assistant
7. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. “Physician Assistant vs Nurse Practitioner.” June 11, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.mcphs.edu/admission-and-aid/blog/physician-assistant-vs-nurse-practitioner
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