Nurse Practitioner vs Physicians Assistant

_iamkel · Mar 2, 2015

When I do my clinical rotations I try to find PAs and NPs around the hospital to pick their brain. Most of the NPs said that they wanted to be in that profession because they are more involved with the patient whereas PAs are more involved with curing an illness, like you said. Idk- this is just what I gathered from those in the field!

Maybe the comment about most people prefer NPs over PAs would be for that exact reason. NPs are more involved with the patient.

Any thoughts about that?

I think the reason I would want to be a NP over a PA would be because I am in fact going to nursing school because I want to be a nurse. With other threads that I am on and the constant research I have been doing I really think NNP is the way for me to go. Still weighing out the pros and cons.

Thanks for everyone input, everything helps! ðŸ˜„

sonar · Mar 2, 2015

Hi there! I've applied to PA programs and a post-bacc accelerated nursing program. I got accepted to the nursing program but was wait-listed at both PA schools. I understand your confusion as to which route to pursue. A few things to keep in mind:

1. PA school is 2 yrs and almost universally $75k for the entire program, whereas NP is less expensive and can be shorter because it is predicated upon the fact that you have RN experience. That being said...

2. You will need quality healthcare experience (shortened to HCE in the PA admissions world) even as a PA applicant. The more the better. I believe my greatest shortcoming to being accepted to PA school has been my low hours of HCE. I only have about 500 hours and they were accrued in a genetics clinic (I work in genetics research), and not direct hands-on. RN experience is GREAT for HCE. Of course, they will ask you in your interviews why you're choosing PA over NP.

3. Check your pre-reqs for PA school. I have my BS in bio, so I don't need anything (well, actually have to re-take classes because some of mine are expired :sniff: ). I'm not entirely sure what you take for a full 4 yr BSN, but I know for PA school you will need biochem, organic chem... the others like A&P, regular bio and chem, and micro, I'm sure you take for BSN. Also helpful for PA school to take genetics and some other 400-level science courses.

4. Look into the autonomy afforded to NPs and PAs in your state. They may be vastly different and it may sway your preference.

Keep asking around! Ask physicians what they think. I have a bunch of physician co-workers and friends. They don't seem to care either way. Obviously as an RN, it is more logical to pursue NP. For me, it's been a little tough. I don't know what I will do if I get picked from one of the wait-lists.

Purdue725: The first class of physician assistants graduated from Duke in 1967. The class was formed in 1965. The first class of NP's was formed in 1968 at Boston College. So, actually, PA's have been around for longer. The field has just exploded recently.

Finally, they are absolutely called "physician assistants" not "physicians assistants," and I whole-heartedly agree that your app would be tossed if you made that error. It is horrendously competitive (tantamount to med school) and a mistake like that, however seemingly small, indicates that you didn't do your research into the profession.

_iamkel · Mar 2, 2015

Hi there! I've applied to PA programs and a post-bacc accelerated nursing program. I got accepted to the nursing program but was wait-listed at both PA schools. I understand your confusion as to which route to pursue. A few things to keep in mind:
1. PA school is 2 yrs and almost universally $75k for the entire program, whereas NP is less expensive and can be shorter because it is predicated upon the fact that you have RN experience. That being said...
2. You will need quality healthcare experience (shortened to HCE in the PA admissions world) even as a PA applicant. The more the better. I believe my greatest shortcoming to being accepted to PA school has been my low hours of HCE. I only have about 500 hours and they were accrued in a genetics clinic (I work in genetics research), and not direct hands-on. RN experience is GREAT for HCE. Of course, they will ask you in your interviews why you're choosing PA over NP.
3. Check your pre-reqs for PA school. I have my BS in bio, so I don't need anything (well, actually have to re-take classes because some of mine are expired ). I'm not entirely sure what you take for a full 4 yr BSN, but I know for PA school you will need biochem, organic chem... the others like A&P, regular bio and chem, and micro, I'm sure you take for BSN. Also helpful for PA school to take genetics and some other 400-level science courses.
4. Look into the autonomy afforded to NPs and PAs in your state. They may be vastly different and it may sway your preference.
Keep asking around! Ask physicians what they think. I have a bunch of physician co-workers and friends. They don't seem to care either way. Obviously as an RN, it is more logical to pursue NP. For me, it's been a little tough. I don't know what I will do if I get picked from one of the wait-lists.
Purdue725: The first class of physician assistants graduated from Duke in 1967. The class was formed in 1965. The first class of NP's was formed in 1968 at Boston College. So, actually, PA's have been around for longer. The field has just exploded recently.
Finally, they are absolutely called "physician assistants" not "physicians assistants," and I whole-heartedly agree that your app would be tossed if you made that error. It is horrendously competitive (tantamount to med school) and a mistake like that, however seemingly small, indicates that you didn't do your research into the profession.

Awesome input, thanks!

anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 3, 2015

I feel like either way you go RN experience can be beneficial for sure. Even if you're a PA with RN experience you're going to have that nursing background and it will likely affect your PA practice.

I wish doctors had to do the nursing role for a little while to see what it's like on the front lines of healthcare rather than just calling the shots.

allnurses Guide · Mar 3, 2015

In deciding between PA and NP route consider the things that are different about the two that you won't be able to change in the future:

1. Nursing vs medical model.

2. Independent practice.

3. Cost and time invested from your current degree to completion.

4. Flexibility to practice in any area.

Other than these things, the role is very similar.

Sent from my iPhone.

janemulligan1 · May 20, 2015

Hi, if you later on want to specialize in pediatrics than NP option is better for you as compared to PA. With NP, diverse area of specialization are available including pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health and more whereas with Pas have more of a generalized education and they commonly specialize in areas such as general surgery, orthopedics. So, better stick to NP.

Good Luck!