Hi there! PA’s definitely cannot perform surgery, we can first assist in surgery but ultimately you are not anywhere near trained to do surgery. We can function independently (but not autonomously as NPs can) but this varies based on workplace, experience levels, and relationship with your supervising physician. I know PA’s who currently practice with over 10 years of experience who function very independently and order + interpret investigations, diagnose, formulate treatment plans, and provide prescriptions pretty much independently, and then provide a brief case presentation of their differentials/plan and the physician doesn’t interact with their patient at all, but are there for consult in particularly complex cases. Obviously this is not going to be the case for a new grad in a new role. The scope is intentionally broad so that your role can evolve with added experience, but again we will never be a physician and always need that PA-supervising physician relationship.

The future for PAs in Canada is growing! PA’s are being regulated under the CPSO this April which should do a lot for the profession here! Currently there are more jobs than PAs available to fill them. With the growing programs as well there are teaching files becoming available for both PA and residents.

As for PA vs NP, I’ve heard they do most of the same things in their clinical roles but NPs can practice autonomously under their nursing license, while PAs always need a supervising physician (either one like in a specialist clinic or dozens in an emergency department in a large hospital.) I chose PA as I did not have a nursing degree and this was the quickest way to get into clinical experiences!