APRN vs PA

[kmn5091]

I am working towards the entry in a direct entry nurse practitioner program. I am pretty certain after my experience in hospitals and volunteering that APRN is the route that I want to go but I would still like to compare it to PA. Wherever I read any comparison about the two, mostly on forums, the differences between the two seem ambiguous. Does anyone know of a really good article or something like that that compares the two? Thanks

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

There are many comparisons, but where it becomes difficult is that each state has defined the scope of practice of each. Therefore, when the comparisons get into details those details may or may not be 100% accurate for each state.

I would suggest shadowing several APRN and PA in fields you are interested in. This will give you the best chance to figure out what is common among the two professions and what is different. I think alot of what you find will also depend on the specialty you are interested in as well, so that's why I suggest getting exposure to more than one NP/PA, see them in a variety of different specialties that you have interest in. Also, you will find that different clinics, different providers work differently. Locally there is one NP in a specialty that basically coordinates the care of her patients between all the other specialists and their PCP, she spends very little hands on time with her patients. Another NP in a very similar setting spends almost all her time hands on with her patients, and spends far less time coordinating the care between the specialists. It really is how the two providers have setup their practices and what the other providers in their offices have agreed with them will be their roles.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

I think the major differences between NP/PA are the models of teaching (nursing v medical) and the scope of practice for each varies from state to state.

[txnurstud, CNA]

I found the threaded below to be very helpful for me. Although the link is a few years old, I believe the points (outside of salary) are valid.

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Take a look at this thread-the article in the NY Times that is in the

second post (CSLee3) should give you a basic idea of the difference.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing...ml#post3085532

And good luck whatever path you select!