Switching specialties common for NPs, PAs: 8 AMA study notes

Becker's Healthcare January 13, 2026
Cameron Cortigiano

More than one-third of all nurse practitioners and physician assistants will swap their specialties at some point in their careers, according to a Jan. 12 survey published by the American Medical Association.

Here are eight things to know:

1. Thirty-five percent of the nurse practitioners surveyed said that they have changed specialties at least once in their career, with 13% making multiple switches.
2. NPs who did change specialities usually spent about four years in one area before making the swap.
3. Two-thirds of NPs believe that additional training or certifications should be required before starting in a new specialty, but 65% said that on-the-job training is sufficient.
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