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
Demetrius R. Collins, PT, DPT, LAT, ScD joined the faculty of University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ Austin, TX campus in Spring 2019. He is currently an instructor for courses in the Musculoskeletal IV: Clinical Reasoning and Biophysical Agents. Dr. Collins completed a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Hardin-Simmons University in 2007. He then completed his Doctor of Science in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2018.
Dr. Collins holds both Texas physical therapy and athletic training licenses and attends continuing education courses. He participates in journal clubs to further his expertise. His primary focus has been concussion evaluation and treatment, for which he has developed and presented skills labs and lectures to other allied health professionals. Dr. Collins is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Sports section. Dr. Collins has been practicing primarily in an outpatient orthopedic care setting since passing his licensure in 2008. He has spent six years of that time in a duel role as an athletic trainer and physical therapist working in clinic and performing sideline coverage for athletes at all levels.
