Advantages/Disadvantages of NP vs PA

Specialties NP

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What are advantages and disadvantages of PA vs. NP? It's hard to pick which way to go. Combined degree may be too far away. thanks,

J

It is dependent on the person and ridiculous to think that one will always be better than the other or 'usually' better than the other.

I said better TRAINED.

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I said better TRAINED.

and although I didn't use the word. I meant, not better TRAINED. You are making a blanket statement regarding the trianing recieved by WHNPs and PA. You, however, have absolutely no evidence to support that one is always or usually better trained than the other. It is your opinion likely based on personal bias.

Generalist training has many benefits in specialty situations that narrow, specialty focused training cannot offer! period. It is a trade of and the hiring physician's choice as to which they prefer. Obviously, many physicians recognize the value of generalist training (afterall, they went through it themselves.)

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and although I didn't use the word. I meant, not better TRAINED. You are making a blanket statement regarding the trianing recieved by WHNPs and PA. You, however, have absolutely no evidence to support that one is always or usually better trained than the other. It is your opinion likely based on personal bias.

Generalist training has many benefits in specialty situations that narrow, specialty focused training cannot offer! period. It is a trade of and the hiring physician's choice as to which they prefer. Obviously, many physicians recognize the value of generalist training (afterall, they went through it themselves.)

You don't seem to have any evidence to support your view either (which is also likely based on personal bias).

It's also important to remember that nurse practitioners are trained as generalists, too--in nursing school!

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You don't seem to have any evidence to support your view either (which is also likely based on personal bias).

It's also important to remember that nurse practitioners are trained as generalists, too--in nursing school!

my view, is that you cannot make a blanket statement that one is better trained than the other because there is no evidence. The evidence FOR my view IS the lack thereof.

You dont HAVE to be better than anyone, just willing to better yourself.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Let's stop making this personal between each other.

Just stick to the topic, Advantages/disadvantages of NP vs PA, and not let it be a one-on-one personal debate of opinions that serves to focus on the individual and not the topic at hand.

Thanks.....

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Specializes in ECMO.
You don't seem to have any evidence to support your view either (which is also likely based on personal bias).

It's also important to remember that nurse practitioners are trained as generalists, too--in nursing school!

?????

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RNs are trained as generalists in nursing. One must be an RN before becoming a nurse practitioner. Therefore, nurse practitioners have generalist training in nursing.

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Specializes in ECMO.
rns are trained as generalists in nursing. one must be an rn before becoming a nurse practitioner.

yes of course.

therefore, nurse practitioners have generalist training in nursing.

how can ns substitute for generalist training in np school?

the role of a rn and np are completely different as i understand it.

i love ice cream too! ;)

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Different roles yes, but think about what training/experience a nurse brings to the NP table.

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Specializes in Infection Preventionist/ Occ Health.
One of the biggest advantages with getting your NP over PA is that you can get your NP by going to school part-time and still working. I don't think any of the PA schools offer this option. There are a few states that allow totally independent practice for NPs also, otherwise the actual jobs differ very little (mostly in terms of speciality areas more than anything else).

I agree that NP programs are much more flexible than PA programs for the most part. I am very happy with my choice of pursuing my NP. (Having a previous BS degree, I could have gone either way). At the interview/tour session for the PA program in my area, a student told me that their administrator told them "don't plan on getting married, divorced or pregnant while in PA school". (Meaning that they weren't going to be flexible with students who had their personal lives conflict with the program.) The administrator also told us "You won't be able to work during this program. We can and do schedule classes and clinicals at any time of the day, evening, or night, including weekends. You will also need a top-of-line laptop computer, a car, a stethoscope and other supplies during this program, so plan accordingly". Unless you have a rich uncle, I don't know how most people could be expected to pay tuition, living expenses and supplies without a job except through hefty loans totaling at least $75K.

By contrast, my adviser in the FNP program told me "If you have to take a semester off, don't worry. People do it all the time and some can even avoid delaying graduation. Many students have had babies during the program, although it can be difficult. Classes are scheduled mostly in the evening, on weekends and online to facilitate people's work schedules". What a difference! Not to mention the fact that I won't have to take out loans for living expenses, only for tuition if my employer's tuition reimbursement comes up short.

As for getting a job, there are more postings for NPs than PAs in my area. Most PA job listings ask for a PA or an NP (with the exception of surgery positions), while the listings for an NP are exclusively for NPs.

Finally, with a MSN I will be able to go into research, teaching, administration, or pursue a doctoral degree. These options aren't available if I had a generic BS or MS in Physician Assistant Studies, which is what many PA programs tend to offer.

Choosing between programs is a very individual decision, but for me NP made much more sense.

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I agree that NP programs are much more flexible than PA programs for the most part. I am very happy with my choice of pursuing my NP. (Having a previous BS degree, I could have gone either way). At the interview/tour session for the PA program in my area, a student told me that their administrator told them "don't plan on getting married, divorced or pregnant while in PA school". (Meaning that they weren't going to be flexible with students who had their personal lives conflict with the program.) The administrator also told us "You won't be able to work during this program. We can and do schedule classes and clinicals at any time of the day, evening, or night, including weekends. You will also need a top-of-line laptop computer, a car, a stethoscope and other supplies during this program, so plan accordingly". Unless you have a rich uncle, I don't know how most people could be expected to pay tuition, living expenses and supplies without a job except through hefty loans totaling at least $75K.

By contrast, my adviser in the FNP program told me "If you have to take a semester off, don't worry. People do it all the time and some can even avoid delaying graduation. Many students have had babies during the program, although it can be difficult. Classes are scheduled mostly in the evening, on weekends and online to facilitate people's work schedules". What a difference! Not to mention the fact that I won't have to take out loans for living expenses, only for tuition if my employer's tuition reimbursement comes up short.

Yes, PA programs are demanding.

As for getting a job, there are more postings for NPs than PAs in my area. Most PA job listings ask for a PA or an NP (with the exception of surgery positions), while the listings for an NP are exclusively for NPs.

So, there are jobs that only say PA, there are jobs that say PA or NP, and there are jobs that say NP. I dont understand your point here. Have you contacted any of these people and asked if they would consider an NP or PA? Could it be they just listed one but would consider either? It is likely.

Finally, with a MSN I will be able to go into research, teaching, administration, or pursue a doctoral degree. These options aren't available if I had a generic BS or MS in Physician Assistant Studies, which is what many PA programs tend to offer.

A Master's as a PA makes you elligible for doctoral studies, academic positions, and research.

Choosing between programs is a very individual decision, but for me NP made much more sense.

I agree, its a personal decision. I just hope that it is a personal decision made on accurate information. I also hope that there will be a spread of more acurate information on this forum.

I also have a question for the posters who mentioned generalist training as RNs. What daily activities did you perform as a student nurse that you perform as an NP on a daily basis? How many patients were you assigned as a student nurse?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I agree, its a personal decision. I just hope that it is a personal decision made on accurate information. I also hope that there will be a spread of more acurate information on this forum.

I also have a question for the posters who mentioned generalist training as RNs. What daily activities did you perform as a student nurse that you perform as an NP on a daily basis? How many patients were you assigned as a student nurse?

I think the OP was talking about RN experience, not student training in the nursing program. Gaining RN experience to prepare oneself for an advanced practice role is "generalist training", so to speak.

In my immediate area, the NP is highly sought-after. PA's are not employed here, but further south, they are. It is strictly area dependent.

Again, both careers offer a great service for our patients.

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