PA in ob/gyn vs WHNP

[queenofhearts]

I am a little confused about the practice rights of ob/gyn PAs vs WHNP. What is the difference in their clinical abilities (prescribing/scope of practice, etc)? Can both PA and WHNP deliver babies, or only PAs, or neither? If I was interested in this field, are their many opportunities for PAs or more for NPs? Thanks

[coloradopa]

I am a little confused about the practice rights of ob/gyn PAs vs WHNP. What is the difference in their clinical abilities (prescribing/scope of practice, etc)? Can both PA and WHNP deliver babies, or only PAs, or neither? If I was interested in this field, are their many opportunities for PAs or more for NPs? Thanks

WHNPs cannot deliver babies. Their scope of practice is females over 18 (14 in some states). Basically they handle obstetrics and gynecology as well as well woman care. Some states allow them to see males for STD care. . The difference between CNM and WHNP is pretty hard to tease out. In practice the big difference is that WHNP can't deliver babies, the question on whether gynecology without OB is within the CNM scope is more difficult. Areas such as GYN ONC are definitely outside the scope (IMO). Theoretically CNMs can do well women care and menopause management but this is state dependent. There are also combine FNP or WHNP/CNM programs out there.

 

The scope of practice for a PA is that of the physician they work with. For OB it would be the scope of OB/GYN that the physician practices. There are PAs working in all areas of OB/GYN although the majority are concentrated in GYN onc and GYN. There are PAs that deliver babies, the rules against this are mostly at the hospital level. Check out the Association of PAs in OB/GYN FAQ:

ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

 

Here in Georgia we just got the second PA privileged to do deliveries. Lots of of hard work by GAPA and the PA.

 

David Carpenter, PA-C

[queenofhearts]

So besides the nature of whether or not delivering babies is possible, the scope of practice could be pretty similar between WNHPs and PAs if they worked for the same physician?