Confused between Nursing and PA

Editorial Team / Admin · Dec 10, 2015

Welcome to AN!

Just out of curiosity, how much research have you done into both nursing and PAs? Quite honestly, they are very very different. A nursing license gives you one scope of practice and follows the nursing model. A PA has a different scope of practice and follows the medical model. Truly, about the only similarity is the fact that both work in health care.

twozer0, NP · Dec 10, 2015

Just to chime in here. An advanced practice nurse like a Nurse Practitioner does exactly what a PA does. There are also other options such as Nurse Anesthesia and Clinical Nurse Specialist. Having a solid background in nursing can prompt you to decide if you want to take the step to advanced practice, if you dont want to, you'll always have nursing to fall back on!

Loveleen Sahni · Dec 10, 2015

Thanks for your reply..!!

Yeah I certainly know the difference between two but today I just attended one of the physician assistant program requirements in my uni, so after that I'm stressing out with no reason that did I make the right choice of going into nursing field or should I change it to PA as both require hard work.

nalie2, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 11, 2015

At the hospital where I volunteered PAs and NPs had similar job tasks. RN is really different from what a PA does. So I guess it depends on what type of nursing you are referring to. In terms of school, here in California you need a bachelor's and then PA school is typically 2 years.

Luckyyou, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2015

PA also typically requires paid healthcare experience.

elkpark · Dec 11, 2015

Hi!
I am taking pre requisites for nursing right now and will be done with in the spring. But now I'm really confused that should I go for PA or Nursing. Whats the difference between two and which one is better??
If anyone could help me out, I'd really appreciate it.

Nobody here can tell you what you "should" do -- that is a v. personal choice. How much research and shadowing have you done regarding both roles? If you have significant concern or ambivalence about which to choose, maybe you need to explore further before you commit to one program or the other. Best wishes!

Socal_EMT · Dec 11, 2015

ill just let you know that they are two different roles in the healthcare setting.

direw0lf, BSN · Dec 11, 2015

Thanks for your reply..!!
Yeah I certainly know the difference between two but today I just attended one of the physician assistant program requirements in my uni, so after that I'm stressing out with no reason that did I make the right choice of going into nursing field or should I change it to PA as both require hard work.

I made a list of pros and cons maybe that would help you.

I basically felt nursing has more field choices and autonomy and a bit more guarantee for school and a job. And I like the holistic nursing model.

You may lean twd pa if you like disease treating more or the faster route to a higher salary or working directly under a physician etc. But make a list!

muirite · Dec 11, 2015

Also look at where you live. Where I am it is an NP market my hubby is from a PA market. He is a PA and where we live a new NP makes more than a 3 year PA. The nurse's have union and PA's not at all.

He works in main ER as a PA vrs NP only work fast track or as hospitalist. Those jobs are NP only position in his hospital.

Different locations may have different ideas of what NP vrs PA do.