Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant

[bellahf01]

what is the difference between a Nurse Practitioner and a Physician Assistant? and n command which one is higher

[jennybyc]

I have a nurse practitioner in the family and I know she has a Master's degree in nursing and in a specific field. They can practice on their own and can prescribe on their own. A physician's assistant has less schooling(but I'm not sure how much...I think it's a 4 year program)and must practice under the supervision of a physician. They do dispense prescriptions but the have to be co-signed by the physicians. The nurse practitioner is a higher level than a PA.

Jenny