Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are advanced healthcare practitioners with similar responsibilities, such as diagnosing illnesses and prescribing medications. However, their training and paths toward certification differ in significant ways. This blog post unpacks the key differences between NPs and PAs to help you determine which career path best aligns with your goals. What Is a Nurse Practitioner? A nurse practitioner (NP) is a licensed clinician who provides comprehensive healthcare to patients of all ages. An NP can work in virtually any healthcare setting, diagnosing patient conditions and prescribing medications. As of October 2022, nurse practitioners have full practice authority in 27 states, meaning that they can practice Read more
Donna M. Dorsey, MS, RN, FAAN
Donna Dorsey is a consultant specializing in nursing regulatory and policy development and leadership. She retired in 2007 as the executive director of the Maryland Board of Nursing. From 2002 to 2006, she served as the president of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Previously, she was an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing.
Ms. Dorsey was instrumental in the development and implementation of computerized adaptive testing for National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX); the establishment of a national, unduplicated licensee database (NURSYS); the implementation of the Nurse Licensure Compact; and the initiation of the Commitment to Excellence project to promote ongoing effectiveness of nursing regulation. In recognition of her work, the NCSBN presented her with its highest honor, the R. Louise McManus Award.
She is the author of numerous publications, including WHO/ICN Disaster Nursing Competencies. Ms. Dorsey is a graduate of East Carolina University and the University of Maryland, and is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.
