NP vs PA -- a travesty ????

Calhobbes · Jun 7, 2003

in response to cmamw about nps having to choose a speciality... this is true but if you're an fnp, anp, its just as versatile as the pa's. the specialities mention can work in heme/oncology, im, cardiology, ortho, peds, obgyn, geriatrics, gi, gu, and so on... and we don't have to have more schooling for these specialities. but for crna, cnm, whnp, i'm sure they are limited to their practice.

Tim-GNP · Jun 10, 2003

A lot of it also has to do with the state in which you practice. I don't know of any state [however, just because I don't know of any, doesn't mean that they don't exist] that allows PA's to practice without the supervision of a Physician. More and more states are allowing NP's to practice without a physician supervisor or 'collaboration' agreement.

Physicians prefer to work with PA's [the ones I have seen, anyway----which are quite a few] because they like the title "physician's assistant"--- it's a good ego stroke for many physicians who need it. I find that D.O.'s like NP's better--- go figure.

There are quite a few 'heated' debates about PA's & NP's... including the BS versus MS, etc.

My recommendation is to see if you can 'shadow' an NP and a PA for a day, and see how their roles differ.

If you are going in it for the money--- forget it. Both roles come with the curse of prescriptive authority- NP's and PA's can be sued for their actions. I used to work full time as an NP, and let me tell you---- the fear of being dealing with a law suit was NOT worth the $70,000 per year!

Just some random thoughts---- at any rate, good luck with whatever you decide to do!

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2003

Originally posted by ruby360
[b PAs just have a bachelors. [/b]

Not true, almost all PA programs are now at the master's level!

Tim-GNP · Jun 10, 2003

Originally posted by EmeraldNYL
Not true, almost all PA programs are now at the master's level!

This is true, but if you look at the programs, they are usually about 5 years in duration-- or an additional 12-15 credits beyond the bachelors... approx. half to a quarter of the credits needed for most master's degrees in most disciplines.

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2003

The PA programs I looked into before I decided on nursing school were all a full 2 years after a bachelor's, approx. a 25 month program. The first year was all classroom experience and the second year was clinical rotations. I decided on the nursing route instead because I wanted my own license, not to practice under a physician license; I feel that there are better opportunities for nurses in my area, and I feel that the general public is more familiar with the role of a nurse or NP as opposed to a PA.

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Jun 18, 2003

Another thing to look at is the length of clinical. My NP program has 600 hours of clinical and my wifes PA program had 2400 hours. Now being in a position to hire NP's or PA's I tend toward the PA's (when they are new grads) Now once the NP has been in the work force for a bit, there generally is no difference.

Here were I am NP's and PA's are paid the same based on experience not wheather they are NP's or PA.

Are apples better than oranges. Only by persanal preference. Look into all the things that have been discussed in this and other threads. Look at your local, what you want to be doing. Becoming a Mid Level may not be what you are really looking for. My senior flight nurses do the same job as the Acute Care NP's.

Bonnie Blue · Jun 21, 2003

Check out my resisdent hours post. To recapitulate: Starting July 1, residents will be limited to working 80 hours a week. Which means, teaching hospitals will need mid-level providers to fill in the gaps. I know that the nurse recruitment dept. here had a big job fair this week to recruit ACNPs.

EricTAMUCC-BSN, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2003

Who is More in Demand? NP or PA?

I have heard several people comment on this message board that NP schools have oversaturated the job market. Is this true or just a rumor?

I have noticed an abundance of NP programs here in TX. I recently asked a FNP whether she would go through the program again if she had to do it over and she said no. She said knowing what she knows now she would rather just work double shifts as a nurse. Not exactly what I wanted to hear.

It sounds like to me from the previous statements that whomever is doing the hiring decides whether it will be a PA or NP. I imagine doctors have a large say in who will be hired. Is this correct or no? Also new PAs have a better chance of landing a job fresh out of school compared to NPs. Does this sound like a correct assumption?

EricTAMUCC-BSN, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2003

anyone?

olympiad27 · Sep 1, 2003

As previously mentioned PAs are trained in the medical model and must work under the supervision of an MD. A NP can in many states work independently on her on liscense. I honestly feel that NPs are seen as a direct threat to physicians because of that independence. NPs can and should be able to provide much of the care that is traditionally done by physicians- which takes away income form them in a time when they have seen their incomes diminish drastically from medicare cutbacks and reimbursement. As long as the PA is under the MD they are not seen as taking business away from physicians. :cool:

lmc0816 · Feb 1, 2008

NP's can basically work anywhere, it doesn't matter what your graduating speciality is. I am a FNP and work as a Hospitalist for a large GI practice. My fellow FNP's jobs vary some are cardiology hospitalists, some work with CV surgeons, some are intensivists...you can basically work wherever you want! I find that I have to do a lot of teaching with the PA's, especially when we have a consult in ICU for a bleed.

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 1, 2008

This is a very old thread. Here is the current discussion about NP and PA:

Differences (Educative/Clinical) between NP & PA

Thread closed.