Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced training in a specialized area of medicine, such as pediatrics or family health. After nursing school, a nurse practitioner must go through a formal education program in his or her specialty field.

A physician assistant must complete a master's level physician assistant program and may pursue additional, specialized training through a postgraduate fellowship or residency. A pediatric nurse practitioner or physician assistant focuses on caring for infants, children and teens.

Most of these midlevel care providers can prescribe medications and order medical tests. They work closely with physicians and medical specialists.