There are similarities and differences when it comes to the scope of practice for nurse practitioners and physician assistants. A nurse practitioner and a physician’s assistant have differences in educational paths, treatment perspectives, and even job potential. The choice of a nurse practitioner vs. physician assistants career depends on the level of independence desired after graduation. Nurse Practitioner. Certified physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) can be a cost-effective way to meet this need. While nurse practitioner (NP) and physician assistant (PA) professions both offer autonomy, responsibility and competitive salaries, there are clear differences between PA vs. NP careers. Nurse Practitioner Vs Physician Assistant . A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the minimum requirement to become a nurse practitioner. Apply by February 5 to join our May 2021 cohort. As you might imagine, a nurse practitioner must be a registered nurse. There are approximately 234,000 NPs and 115,500 PAs in the United States providing cost-effective patient care, preventive care, and health promotion. The difference between Physician Assistant vs. Nurse Practioner lies primarily in the nature of their education and their role in various medical specialties. Physician assistants typically obtain a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies by completing a three-year graduate program that has been accredited through the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. The NP vs. PA dilemma is a common one among aspiring healthcare professionals. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), over 99 percent of nurse practitioners have either a master’s degree (MSN) or a doctorate (DNP). NPs make up a very large and vital part of the medical care community. NPs obtain certification in a specific patient population focus, such as the following: NPs and PAs may also obtain additional certifications and sub-specialize in a variety of areas such as palliative care, dermatology, cardiology, and obesity medicine. Physician Assistant Vs. Advanced Practice Nurse. For the same period, the BLS reports the median annual wage for nurse practitioners as $103,880—with the highest-paid 10 percent of NPs earning more than $145,630. … Nurse Practitioner Vs. 2. With Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) having some similar duties, many considering these healthcare careers are curious about the salary difference. It depends on your life goals and preferences. Both practices must complete advanced education programs, with NPs attending nursing school and PAs attending medical school. In most states, they are required to have a form of collaborative agreement with a physician, yet they still practice with a great deal of autonomy on a day-to-day basis. Nurse practitioners are more patient-centered; Physician assistants are more disease-centered. They may also specialize in different categories. Nurse Practitioner Vs Physician Assistant . Nurse Practitioner vs. Learn more about how you can pursue a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner by visiting Nursing@USC, the online Master of Science in Nursing from USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of Nursing. However, some state practice laws allow NPs to practice independently without adhering to such a requirement. Responsibilities for both are built upon a foundation of advanced education and training, which enables greater autonomy in practice—typically within the context of a collaborative physician relationship. robust job growth for nurse practitioners. What is a physician assistant? In other words, NPs’ and PAs’ level of independence relates directly to how much oversight by a physician is required by law. NPs specialize in caring for certain populations of patients, and educational programs are offered within a nursing model of care that embraces a holistic and patient-centered approach with an emphasis on the health and well-being of the whole person. Travel nursing jobs are available to locum tenens nurse practitioners, and physician assistant jobs also yield opportunities for locum tenens positions across the country. Nurse practitioners are licensed specifically based on their training, including primary vs. acute care and population. Classes for the FNP program are held online, with clinical placements in or near your own community. Two of these professions are Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant. Physician assistants don’t have this independence and must work under the direct supervision of surgeons and physicians. The level of autonomy for nurse practitioners and physician assistants depend on the healthcare setting. Bachelor’s degree (a pre-requisite education requirement), Master’s degree (a pre-requisite education requirement), Extensive classroom experience and clinical hours, Ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests, Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, Prescribing medications and other treatments, Counseling regarding various health needs, Educating patients about preventing disease and adopting healthier lifestyles, Diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries, Performing other services within their scope of training and legal authority that are normally conducted by physicians. Many nurse practitioners seek out management roles in healthcare to climb the professional ladder. An acute care nurse practitioner specializes in the care of very ill or injured patients, in hospitals and urgent care centers. The following are among the duties that might be expected of a basic medical assistant: measuring vital signs, applying and removing bandages, performing ECGs, entering information in patient medical records, providing direct assistance to a practitioner who is providing treatment, and carrying out pre-visit planning according to protocol. Nurse practitioners work under a nursing model, while physician assistants practice under a medical model. The field of healthcare has so many facets that there are ample job opportunities for individuals of all educational backgrounds, interests, skills, and abilities. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), over 99 percent of nurse practitioners have either a master’s degree (MSN) or a doctorate (DNP). Both nurse practitioners and physician assistants are independently licensed providers. They share many of the same duties and responsibilities: writing prescriptions, developing treatment plans, ordering tests. A medical model, on the other hand, focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of patients’ diseases and abnormalities. Many of the same dynamics contribute to BLS projections for physician assistants in the same period—with a nearly identical projected job growth of 37 percent for PAs in the years leading up to 2026. Citation for this content: Nursing@USC, the online FNP program from the University of Southern California, © 2021 The University of Southern California for its USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Most states do not enforce any specific educational requirements, so students can enter the profession through many paths. While nurse practitioner (NP) and physician assistant (PA) professions both offer autonomy, responsibility and competitive salaries, there are clear differences between PA vs. NP careers. Would-be physician assistants and nurse practitioners complete many of the same prerequisites (Nurse Practitioner prerequisites). In the early 1960s, medical professionals became concerned about an increasing shortage of family physicians. Below are the job descriptions and education requirements for physician assistants and nurse practitioners, which can help identify the difference between them. Sure, both work in the medical field. A physician assistant, also known as a PA, is a health care professional and primary care provider under the supervision of a licensed physician.People interested in becoming a PA go through at least six years of schooling. The concept of physician extenders was one of the solutions developed in response to the shortage. Acute Care NP. FNP vs. Once foundational factors have been considered—such as the required education and certification, specializations that are available, the scope of practice and model of care that is used—most people would like to learn more about the difference between physician assistant vs. nurse practitioner salary. Both work with patients as part of a medical team. Medical facilities that reap the benefits of having a nurse practitioner or physician assistant on staff are the ones that have thoroughly considered the business case for creating the position. about How Much Money do Physician Assistants (PAs) Make? While both medical assistants and licensed practical nurses work under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse (RN), one of the biggest differences is where people in each of these professions tend to work. As you weigh the physician assistant vs .nurse practitioner career decision (or, if you’re just plain curious like me…), a quick salary comparison in the state where you plan to practice can help nail down your profession pick. The BLS projects robust job growth for nurse practitioners —as much as 36 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The differences between the medical model and the nursing model have been hotly debated for years. Indeed, a nurse practitioner is a registered nurse — but one with advanced academic achievement and additional experience in medical settings. Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant Scope of Practice The scope of practice for nurse practitioners versus physician assistants differs in work focus. Background: Under the Affordable Care Act, the number and capacity of community health centers (HCs) is growing. Some states and employers will provide on-the-job training for medical assistants, but in most cases, it is necessary to complete an accredited training program through a traditional or online school. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners work in similar settings and … On this page, readers can explore how the two careers compare in terms of education requirements, responsibilities, salary, and more. The first physician assistant … Key Similarities Between Nurse Practitioners vs. Nurse practitioners are licensed specifically based on their training, including primary vs. acute care and population. Medical assistants work directly under the supervision of a licensed doctor or, sometimes, a registered nurse. NPs also have the flexibility to work in a variety of specialties, as long as the specialty falls within the area (primary or acute) and population for which they trained. NP programs, on the other hand, are offered by specialty, such as family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, or pediatric primary care nurse practitioner. In addition, NPs must obtain advanced clinical training beyond the initial educational foundation required to become a registered nurse, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). In most cases, in order to be a nurse practitioner… While Nurse Practitioners may obtain from 500 to 700 hours of experience in a clinic learning about diagnostic techniques, common medical procedures and case management, Physician Assistants are required to spend almost 2,000 hours in a clinical environment prior to licensing. Nurse practitioners are primarily involved with working with patients and placing them at the center of their attention. These professions were created to meet the ever … With Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) having some similar duties, many considering these healthcare careers are curious about the salary difference. MD Versus PA Showdown Round 1 – Show Me The Money! PA education is built around a medical model of care, which focuses primarily on disease pathology. Both nurse practitioners and physician assistants have advanced medical training (usually a master’s degree) and are qualified to examine patients and prescribe medications. And both are highly satisfying and equally stressful jobs. Here, we’ll examine the NP vs. PA career path to better understand the difference between PA and NP roles, specifically educational requirements, scope of practice and career outlook. Nursing students should understand the path to becoming a medical assistant vs a nurse. Nurse Practitioner. Physician Assistant vs Nurse Practitioner Salary Personal Statement Rewriting and Revision, How to Write Your PA Personal Statement Book, Downloadable Recommendation Letter Templates, Emergency Medicine End or Rotation Exam 1, Emergency Medicine End of Rotation Exam 2, PA School Applicant and Pre-PA Resume Template, PA Cover Letter and Thank You Follow Up Templates, « What it Means to be a Physician Assistant: My Journey to PA-C, To be a Great Physician Assistant Focus on Patients not Numbers ». NPs provide a variety of health care services: median annual wage for physician assistants, median annual wage for nurse practitioners. There are approximately 234,000 NPs and 115,500 PAs in the United States providing cost-effective patient care, preventive care, and health promotion. According to the US Bureau of Labor statistics, both registered nurses and medical assistants, as well as most healthcare occupations, are in high demand and will continue to experience above average career growth over other occupations for the years to come. Both fields can prescribe medication, perform diagnostic tests, and assess patients. While both physician assistants and nurse practitioners provide healthcare services to patients, the main difference is who they work with and what they are licensed to do. Show Less … While nurse practitioners go to nursing schools, physician assistants attend medical school, … Nurse practitioners work under a nursing model, while physician assistants practice under a medical model. Specializes in the United states providing cost-effective patient care, which can identify... 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