The Difference Between a PA and a Nurse Practioner?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 31, 2004

I was just curious what the difference was between a Physicians Assistant and a Nurse Practioner? I am not sure what the differences are and I am curious to find out.
Crystal:confused:

I am sure you will get an answer from someone in the US but I can comment for over in the UK.

We do not have PA's over here but do have RN's who work with the GP (I think same as your physician) who also managed chronic disease. We also have NP's who are RN's who have undergone further extensive training (in the UK it is 3 yr at uni) The only problem at the moment is that they are fairly new and our governing body is only just beginning to recognise this training and are in the process of including it on our register. KarenG will correct me if I am wrong :)

I am sure that in the US it will be something on the same lines

Trauma-tizedRN · Nov 1, 2004

This is what I hear over and over:

NP....more education, less money, less respect.(the word Nurse in title)

PA....less education, more money, more respect. (the word Physican in title)

Go figure.

Dunno.

karenG · Nov 1, 2004

I am sure you will get an answer from someone in the US but I can comment for over in the UK.
We do not have PA's over here but do have RN's who work with the GP (I think same as your physician) who also managed chronic disease. We also have NP's who are RN's who have undergone further extensive training (in the UK it is 3 yr at uni) The only problem at the moment is that they are fairly new and our governing body is only just beginning to recognise this training and are in the process of including it on our register. KarenG will correct me if I am wrong :)
:rotfl: :rotfl:
nope Anna....... got it right! NP over is here is either 3 years at degree or masters level. there have been NPs here since 1991. we're a bit behind the states- youve had them since 1967. as an NP I see patients with an undiagnosed undifferentiated condition, I take a history, do the physical stuff needed, make a diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan. I also prescribe from a fairly limited formulary. we are independant.. I have my own case load and patients can decide to see me rather than a GP. theres a bit more to it but thats in a nutshell! The NMC (our regulatory body) has hopefully just decided to protect the title NP - so a new register should be created and those of us with the necessary qualifications will be able to go on the register.
whew!
Karen

CSLee3, ASN, BSN, LVN, EMT-P · Nov 1, 2004

Big Difference in Texas is that Nurse Practitioners can work indepedently (hang their own shingle) if they choose. PA's HAVE to be supervised by a Physician. Pay is about the same. Some ER groups use NPs in the Austin area ERs with great success. I work with both NP and PA's and like both. The NP's have a holistic or big picture type of training, whereas the PA's are science or medical based only.