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. Peyton Sykes graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2009. In 2014, he earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Austin, Texas. He has worked primarily in the Austin community as an outpatient orthopedic clinician, although he spent 2017-2018 gaining experience in various acute care hospitals as a travel physical therapist. He completed an orthopedic residency through Evidence in Motion in December of 2016, and in June of 2018, he became a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). He became a full-time Core Faculty Instructor for the Flex DPT Program in April of 2018. In August of 2019, he began his pursuit of a Doctor of Education with an emphasis in Learning Theory and Organizational Change at Baylor University. His passions for learning include exploring the physical therapy student learning experience, curriculum design and implementation, and the science of pain. Peyton also enjoys creating and experiencing live music, traveling, outdoor activities, and physical fitness.
