what the heck is a P.A. ???

Fun2, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2005

I would assume it's a Physician Assistant. (Somewhat like a Nurse Practictioner, but I'm not sure of the similarities/differences other than name.)

My family Dr. has both, a PA and a NP.

I had a friend from out of town over last night - my friend's latest love is a seasoned chiropractor for sports acquainted injuries ...talking NFL
blah
anyway I was telling him about my pre reqs/ CNA classes and what i have done etc. (mostly all of them done woo hoo ) and he said "why not go for PA? ..i was like "well there is only one school around here who even offers that program"...."and it seems like a lost cause" .....not sure if i was correct
but what the Heck does a PA really do and are they really in demand? does not seem so to me ( from my searches on the internet)
I think he was just trying to seem helpful and smart in front of a group
are there really PA jobs in the real world ? btw i want to work in a hospital environment

chicagrl72 · Aug 1, 2005

I would assume it's a Physician Assistant. (Somewhat like a Nurse Practictioner, but I'm not sure of the similarities/differences other than name.)
My family Dr. has both, a PA and a NP.

yes but i thought they were doing away with NP overall but i may be wrong and i think that PA is much less educated than a NP so iam confused

cute avatar by the way ..

Achoo!, LPN · Aug 1, 2005

Both PA and NP takre another year of schooling after their masters. They both can prescribe meds and such, the training is a bit different. PA's can specialize in different areas I believe.

elkpark · Aug 1, 2005

"PA" stands for "Physician's Assistant" (although some schools are now working to change the title to "Physician's Associate" -- the "assistant" word is starting to bug them ... :) ). PAs work under the direct supervision of doctors (like the name implies); Nurse Practitioners have more independence/autonomy. Both PAs and NPs are educated in Master's degree programs; both prescribe meds; both can specialize in (a wide variety of) particular areas, or choose to remain in general/family practice.

There are a number of older threads here that discuss/debate the pros and cons of PAs vs. NPs, that you could search and review if you're interested. Neither role is being done away with, but there is sometimes more or less demand for one or the other in different areas of the country.

jmgrn65, RN · Aug 1, 2005

Physcian Assistants vary from state to state in Ohio it is a Bachellors degree and they can't write prescriptions, they can work in lots of different areas family practice surgery etc, they sutures, place central lines, harvest vein grafts for heart surgery etc. they work directly under a physcian

NP collabrate with a physcian, they can work independtly, they are not being phased out. They can do almost all the things a doctor can do, it is masters degree. they can also specialize in all areas. they can write prescriptions, i think narcotics only if it the patient has been on it.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2005

That reminds me. If I remember correctly, NP's can have their own office, PAs can't. Although I have never seen a stand alone NP.

"PA" stands for "Physician's Assistant" (although some schools are now working to change the title to "Physician's Associate" -- the "assistant" word is starting to bug them ... :) ). PAs work under the direct supervision of doctors (like the name implies); Nurse Practitioners have more independence/autonomy. Both PAs and NPs are educated in Master's degree programs; both prescribe meds; both can specialize in (a wide variety of) particular areas, or choose to remain in general/family practice.
There are a number of older threads here that discuss/debate the pros and cons of PAs vs. NPs, that you could search and review if you're interested. Neither role is being done away with, but there is sometimes more or less demand for one or the other in different areas of the country.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2005

cute avatar by the way ..

Thanks :)

BETSRN · Aug 1, 2005

yes but i thought they were doing away with NP overall but i may be wrong and i think that PA is much less educated than a NP so iam confused
cute avatar by the way ..

Nurse Practitioners and Physician's Assistants are both master's prepared professions. One can advance much farther as a NP and can work independently WITHOUT the coverage of an MD.

twinkle · Aug 2, 2005

In Miami all you need is an Associates Degree to become a P.A. (at Miami Dade College).

elkpark · Aug 3, 2005

In Miami all you need is an Associates Degree to become a P.A. (at Miami Dade College).

Wow, that's really scary ... :rolleyes: In my state, all of the PA programs are Master's programs, and I thought that was the standard now everywhere.

Oh well, I didn't have much regard for PAs anyway. :chuckle

BETSRN · Aug 3, 2005

Wow, that's really scary ... In my state, all of the PA programs are Master's programs, and I thought that was the standard now everywhere.
Oh well, I didn't have much regard for PAs anyway. :chuckle

Being a PA is really a dead-end job. There is no chance of advancement in that role. At least as a nurse practitioner, one can have autonomy and practice independently without the backing of an MD.

I think the idea of PA's is a great one and they serve a purpose, but as a career...............................? No way!