Any Thoughts on why Orthopedics Hire PA more than APN

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I'm currently a RN going for my Masters in NP with Ortho specialty but seem to find a lot of orthopedics hire more PA's. Any thoughts?

Specializes in Ortho.

I applied to 40 PA ortho positions and only heard back once, they asked if I had first assist cert. I have tons of ortho nursing and sports medicine experience, probably the most in the country. I'm settling for primary care

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I applied to 40 PA ortho positions and only heard back once, they asked if I had first assist cert. I have tons of ortho nursing and sports medicine experience, probably the most in the country. I'm settling for primary care

Wow none of your Docs would hook you up with an intro? :(

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I'm currently a RN going for my Masters in NP with Ortho specialty but seem to find a lot of orthopedics hire more PA's. Any thoughts?

In my area PAs get paid considerably less than NPs. That may be the biggest factor.

Hppy

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Specializes in DHSc, PA-C.
Lots of NPs first assist in the OR. PAs are not trained either but receive OJT.

A nice benefit of an NP is that in many states they are indepedent.

As Dodngo said, every PA program required surgical training. I had didactic training and a specific ortho surgery rotation in addition to general surgery and had GYN/ONC surgery.

independence is a mute point when talking surgical specialties because you can't perform surgery. So, you are by default dependent on the physician. Yes, you can see pre/post-op patients but will be following the surgeons guidelines/protocols and will be 100% dependent in the OR if you're even allowed in the OR.

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Specializes in DHSc, PA-C.
In my area PAs get paid considerably less than NPs. That may be the biggest factor.

Hppy

where is this at?

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
where is this at?

Good old Los Angeles, CA and surrounding areas - PA average is around 112,000.00 and NP 118,000.00 According to Salary.com

Hppy

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

We have almost all NPs on the unit and about 1/2 and 1/2 in the clinics. Our NPs do everything the PAs do. (we have residents to assist in OR)

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