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
Dr. Erik Perez earned his B.S in Occupational Therapy from the University of Texas Pan American in Edinburg, TX and his post professional doctorate with a concentration in Education from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Dr. Perez accepted a core faculty position in the Occupational Therapy Program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2019. He brings 14 years of clinical experience having served pediatric populations in outpatient, home health, early intervention, and school-based settings. He has presented to multidisciplinary professionals on the topics of Occupational Therapy and promoting participation in childhood occupations. He received the Clinical Excellence Award in 2015 for his service in Fieldwork Education from South Texas College.
Dr. Perez is registered as an occupational therapist by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
