What is the difference between a NP and a PA?

My name is Marissa Lanza and I was wondering what is the difference between a NP and a PA? Who has more autonomy and who has better job prospects and lower employment? Can you Rx to your patients as a PA? As a NP can you Rx to your patients if your a pediatrics, woman's health, Rehabiliation, or at any specialisation, or do you must specialised in Psyche?

My passion is people, medicine, art, alternative medicine and therapy, naturapathic medicine, herbs. I want the independence of a doctor but not owe 200k, and be in school for the next 16 years of my life at age 31. Once I get my Doctrates in NP, can I truly be called a doctor even though I want to school for several years, under 15?

Is there more flexibility in the DNP route than the PA route? Can I get a job easier as a DNP versus a PA? Which field will I get the most respect. I love life and helping out people and I also love the science and anatomy and physiology but I'm not ready for surgery as I have never experience performing surgery. I just want to know what is the best route for a 31 year old CNA. I am also a lifeguard swim instructor babysitter and a rehab aide for 8 months.

You have tons of questions that demonstrate a lack of research on your part. You must do your own research in order to help yourself understand the basics of various healthcare positions. An Internet forum cannot/will not give adequate, basic information. If you are truly interested in an advanced healthcare role, you will spend the necessary time & effort to research such a role.

We are not here to do the basic research for you.

p.s. Please remove your real name from your post, for your own protection.

DNP is merely a diploma. NP and PA are professionals. PAs have a better scholastic pathway than NPs, but you won't be doing any herbal mumbo jumbo unless your supervising physician, i.e. the physician you assist is into that stuff. Most PAs were RT, EMTs, RNs, or some other healthcare role before becoming a PA. NPs are generally RNs for x amount of time before becoming a NP. They're typically used interchangably. In some states NPs are fully independent. In others they're not. Presently, in no state are PAs independent.

Alternatives, study eastern medicine and eat plenty of fresh fruits or pursue one of the doctor of naturopathic medicine programs. In some states those guys are allowed to prescribe real medications. Or you could be a chiropractor. It seems those guys are doing whatever the heck they want these days. You might also try being the manager at a GNC.

Regardless of what you do, there's going to be a time commitment, and 31 gets here a whole lot sooner than what you've got built up in your mind.

If you are 31 and a CNA, both paths will take some time to complete successfully.

Becoming a PA will require going to school for the science foundations - this will take a year or two if you don't already have it (think, pre-med science classes). Then being accepted into a PA program (highly competitive, may require prior healthcare experience). According to the AAPA, you can expect to need about 3 years of prior work experience, about 2 years of basic sciences/bachelors degree, and then a 3 year PA program. Then pass your certification test and get licensed. https://www.aapa.org/become-a-pa/

Becoming an NP requires first becoming an RN. You can either get an associates or bachelors in nursing to start, but to get the masters degree required for being a nurse practitioner, you have to either complete a bachelors, or a bridge program from ASN, or find a masters program that lets you do pre-specialty coursework prior to starting the masters degree. All of these options will require about 2-4 years PRIOR to actually doing the masters degree program. Then consider 1-3 years for that. To be most successful, you will want to have some work experience as an RN before becoming an NP as well. How to Become a Nurse Practitioner? - NP FAQ

All that to say, neither program is fast or easy. Both have strengths and weaknesses. Do some research and you will start to have an idea of what each future could look like and that will help you decide :)