Nurse Vs> Pa

live4today, RN · Jan 19, 2004

Hello azn.........:)

PAs and Nurses are both right hand necessities to doctors in the healthcare field. Both have very important roles.

PAs work with physicians more closely....so do NPs (Nurse Practitioners). Both of these can care for patients to a certain degree. Anything really critical is always referred back to the medical doctor.

PAs still get far more respect than a NP...depends on where they live and work.

Becoming a PA is something that I am considering for myself since med school was a desire of mine since third grade.

I wish you well no matter which one you choose. People need both professions. One isn't really better than the other.....just a little different scope of practice.......I think. :nurse:

SharonH, RN · Jan 19, 2004

PAs practice under a medical model of care. They can never practice independently as they are physician's assistants.

NPs practice using a nursing model. Depending on the state you practice in, they can open a private practice and have independent prescribing privileges. Due to the diligent work of the ANA, NPs are expanding their legal right to practice independently across the country.

I would never recommend that you choose PA, you have many more options as a NP. I don't know about the respect bit either, I haven't noticed an appreciable difference although some seem to think the two are interchangeable but IMO they are not.

Katnip, RN · Jan 19, 2004

Nurses work under their own licenses. PAs generally work under direct supervision of a physician since they work under the physician license, more or less.

I had a few PAs in my nursing school class. They were very, very good, but wanted to be more independent.