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
Erin Schwier, OTD
Program Director, OT Programs—San Marcos, CA Campus
Dr. Erin Schwier is the Program Director for the Master of Occupational Therapy program on the San Marcos, CA campus, where she also serves as an Assistant Professor. She brings more than 15 years of experience working with children with disabilities and their families to her position. She previously worked as a pediatric therapist for multiple school districts and clinics in San Diego County.
Dr. Schwier also currently works as an occupational therapist and educational consultant at Sierra Academy of San Diego, specializing in sensory integration, community integration and the influence on academic performance and social skills.
Dr. Schwier is a frequent presenter on topics related to occupational therapy education, pediatric and mental health practice. She has published articles in professional journals including OT Practice and Disability Journal of Health. She has been a chapter contributor and editor for occupational therapy text books and co-authored Breaking Bread and Nourishing Connections (Brooks Publishing, 2005). Dr. Schwier’s most recent research relates to occupational therapy education and the integration of service learning to support the development of student self-efficacy.
