Nurse Practitioner versus Physician Assistant?

Published

Can someone in the field please advise on what the main differences are between a Nurse Practitioner and a Physician Assistant?

As roles and pay seem to be similar (please correct me if I am wrong), I am unsure as to how anyone chooses one over the other?

Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

NP:

-Nursing model

-More autonomous depending on the state

-More online programs and can be taken part time so you can work

-Less academic depth as PA when looking at the sciences and more theory

-Less clinical hours but more flexible

-Mostly seen in primary care clinics, OB, peds, women s health, some inpatient

-Not used much in the military

-RN is required unless it's direct entry

-Strong lobbying power

PA:

-Medical model similar to physician

-Not autonomous must have a supervisory physician (but supervisory is a pretty broad broad term and most work in a collaborative environment)

-Two years of non-stop schooling in hard sciences and diagnostics. Many compare it to a mini med school. You probably won't be able to work

-No online programs, more clinicals hours

-Mostly seen in ER, surgery, ortho, inpatient and primary care

-Heavily used in the military

-Previous medical experience is usually required as well as more science pre reqs

-Weak lobbying power

I have worked with both good NPs and PAs but in my experience I feel PAs just have a clinical edge because their schooling is more complete. Over the years of experience the gap might fade but that's what I have seen. My biggest gripe is that NP programs vary too much (some barely touch x-ray readings or basic suturing) while PA programs are rather steady with curriculum.

If I can't get into med school this first try I will be shooting for PA or CRNA. A ton of my coworker RNs are in NP school right now. Most do it part time online and schedule clinicals when they want. The ones I know close to graduating are nervous about practicing because they don't feel prepared. I don't want that feeling. (These are top 20 online NP schools too)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

The only thing I would change about what Dranger said is the part about the military. Where I was stationed, I worked with an equal number of PAs and NPs. But that was 10 years ago, and only one location.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just FYI: If you hop on over to the "APRN" fora (see yellow banner up top), you'll find plenty more in-depth discussion on this. Happy reading!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The only thing I would change about what Dranger said is the part about the military. Where I was stationed, I worked with an equal number of PAs and NPs. But that was 10 years ago, and only one location.

For the Army every battalion (or even lower echelons) has a PA and a doc. I have only seen a handful of NPs and they are stuck in clinics or work as DA civilians. On the other hand CRNAs are used A LOT.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

It truly depends on the state you're in to determine the different between NP & PA. In my state, they pretty much have the same role. Neither can prescribe meds without a physician sign off, both work under supervision, etc. For me, it comes down to where I see more job opportunity. Right now, in our market, there are more job openings that ask for PA specifically. In the hospital setting (where I want to be), I have only encountered 2 NPs. I have worked with countless PAs.

However, go to another state and it's completely different. My parents live in another state and when my Dad goes to the V.A., it's always NPs that are on staff instead of PAs. Same with the hospital close to them, lots of NPs.

My advice would be to do some research on the job market in your area and see where the opportunity lies for you once your schooling is complete. In my state, the PA curriculum is very intense (25 credits per semester) and is completed in 18 months. The PA schools I've met with have likened it to condensing 3 years of med school into 18 months. The pre-reqs for PA school are the same as med school, too. So, you have to complete courses in physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, A&P, Pathophysiology, etc. in addition to having a Bachelor's degree. Plus they require a certain number of paid health care experience hours.

The NP schools I've looked at simply want to know if you've passed the NCLEX and have your BSN. Most want to see completion of a high level statistics course and organic chemistry. They also require you to set up your own clinical hours at a facility, which is difficult to do if you're not already employed in a facility.

I'm still trying to keep an open mind about what direction I want to take. At this point, I'm still leaning towards PA school when I'm done with the BSN. Yes, I could have skipped getting the RN/BSN and just finished my BS in clinical laboratory science and gone on to PA school much quicker. However, nursing very much appeals to me and since I wasn't sure if I wanted to do PA or NP when I began this journey, I think it was the right decision to make. I'm learning what I like and don't like about each facet of PA & NP along the way.

Best of luck to you in what ever road you decide on! :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow - thank you so much to everyone for your responses! All of this information is incredibly helpful to me and tons appreciated. Best of luck back to everyone also pursuing their field of interest and/or deciding what path they want to go on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment