Nurse Practitioner vs. Physician Assistant

wannabesedated · Mar 27, 2009

You're comparing apples and oranges, they are two very different professions.

There are several threads on the differences between the two.

Check out this one for example: https://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/differences-educative-clinical-164046.html

Sarcolemma · Mar 27, 2009

i completely disagree with wannabesedated.

in clinical practice, they're utilized in exactly the same way (generally and practically speaking). It's the educational philosophies that are different.

Nursing academia obsesses over the semantics and minutiae, but reality is reality.

it's been argued about ad nauseum.

and just to ward off the defenders of the realm....yes, in many states NPs can practice independently. Moot point, since most don't.

Amadea1254 · Mar 27, 2009

Thank you both very much for your opinions. I will check out that link. I personally have seen jobs listed with requests for NP/PA. However, just today, I saw one for Crittenton that specifically mentioned NP, so I got confused. I think they wanted to stress the fact that the NP had to have a BSN first. I imagine that if I have a BSN plus a PA degree, that would be acceptable to them too. I may call the hospital to ask, just for my own curiosity.

sh1901 · Mar 27, 2009

I think that in some cases (although not all) it may also come down to compensation. I hate to say this (becasue I would LOVE to continue my education to the NP level), but I believe that PA's are compensated at a higher level than NP's are....at least in my area that is the impression that I get. Just my :twocents: .

Natingale, EdD, RN · Mar 27, 2009

Actually I work with a PA who stated he worked in a hospital that paid him like 52k a year. Um yes, in NYC none the less.

Money aside, I work with doctors PAs and NPs. Theres one NP who I trust with my life, or the life of my first born. Shes THAT good, and she cares. If the nurses are overwhelmed shes there administering meds starting IVs discharging patients. I agree with Sarcolemma, in emergency medicine they do the same exact thing. They both need their charts signed off by doctors, one doesnt get to do another thing over the other. My 101 professor thinks PA's are going to be done with in 10 years. Thats her opinion, I didnt ask her to elaborate. With NP youre a NURSE first. Thats all im going to say about that lol (dont want to flame)..and nurses care

yelnikmcwawa · Mar 27, 2009

and just to ward off the defenders of the realm....yes, in many states NPs can practice independently. Moot point, since most don't.

I disagree that the independent practice ability is a moot point! My husband co-owns a psych practice with an NP, and she is her own boss and oversees other clinicians. Her ability to practice independently has made her life dramatically different! She is her own boss and never has to answer to anyone with regards to her clinical practice. Soooooo, if this is a goal you would have for yourself, then NP is definately a better career path than PA.

tfleuter, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2009

For the op - you should call around to the hospitals in your area to see if there is a preference on way or the other. Only they can tell you for certain who they prefer to hire (or if there even is a preference)

ashnem · Apr 3, 2009

I too have battled the whole NP/PA thing. Some main differences that have yet to be mentioned: PAs must recertify (retake their boards!) every 7 years. So if you work in a cardiologist's office every day you will have to go back and study and remember everything (infant vaccination schedules, rx for BCP...). NP's are certified in a clinical area while PA's aren't. A PA is a PA is PA. An NP can be primary care, ICU/ER, oncology, peds... PAs have the flexibility to totally shift focus mid career but NPs would need significant schooling and licensing to make a switch.