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
Dana Madalon has been an occupational therapist for more than 25 years. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 1992 from Indiana University and holds a master’s degree from Quinnipiac University. She is currently completing her post-professional doctorate from Sullivan University in Louisville, KY.
Madalon recently became Board Certified in Pediatrics through the American Occupational Therapy Association. She has worked in a variety of settings throughout her career, including skilled nursing, rehabilitation and pediatrics. Her most recent clinical experience has been to work with adults and children with dual diagnosis of mental health problems and behavioral concerns. Madalon worked closely with members of the Louisville community to find foster homes for children with histories of abuse and trauma. Her other interests include hippotherapy, in which she has volunteered and ran a hippotherapy program for adults and children with dual diagnoses. Madalon joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in January 2022 as an Instructor on the St. Augustine, FL campus.
