Can NPs delegate to PAs?

Specialties Advanced

Published

Is it legal for NPs to delegate to or supervise PAs in any state or territory in the US?

Specializes in Hospice.

A pa is supervised by a md so I would guess no?

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I work in a practice with PAs, NPs, and CNSs and we are all on equal footing

I'm curious about independent practice states where NPs don't require delegation from a physician to prescribe. Can we in turn delegate prescriptive authority to a PA? My googling was unsuccessful so I thought to ask here.

Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

PA's are supervised by MD's not NP's. NP practice is about evaluating and treating patients. I don't see how NP prescriptive authority can be delegated if what you mean is that it is done by someone else with your oversight.

I work in a state where NPs/PAs work very collaboratively....so, would I delegate to a colleague...perhaps, as our practice was very team driven and we all supported one another and the needs of the patient

Specializes in Hospice.
I work in a state where NPs/PAs work very collaboratively....so, would I delegate to a colleague...perhaps, as our practice was very team driven and we all supported one another and the needs of the patient

That is perhaps collaboration? A pa must be supervised by a md in all 50 states..... I think the question was more if a np in a state of independent practice could fill that role

Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

I'm in New Mexico where we have had independent practice for about 23 years. NPs and PAs, sometimes they call us mid-levels, a termI personally don't like. We are considered interchangeable but no a nurse practitioner would not supervise or delegate to a PA.

I'm in New Mexico where we have had independent practice for about 23 years. NPs and PAs, sometimes they call us mid-levels, a termI personally don't like. We are considered interchangeable but no a nurse practitioner would not supervise or delegate to a PA.

[ATTACH]22385[/ATTACH]

Do not accept the term mid-level under any circumstances. I love the AANP answer to the term.

Also we are not interchangeable, but they certainly want to group us as such.

Thanks evolvingrn, that's what I was asking. Looks like the answer is a "no" regardless of independent practice, though. Thanks for everyone's responses.

No. NPs cannot delegate or supervise PAs. NPs and PAs can delegate and supervise to medical assistants, LVNs, RNs, CNAs. NPs and PAs work collaboratively as colleagues to deliver quality patient care.

Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

What is your connotation of delegate and what are you wanting to delegate?

You cannot independently employ a PA, but if you're their supervisor you can delegate any non clinical task and direct them to engage in anything their physician supervisor and certification allow.

Ex, PA clean the toilets. PA, see all the sick kids. PA, set up my suture tray, no, instead, you suture while I watch TV in the lounge.

+ Add a Comment